Emily Brandon, writing in usnews.com, quotes a report from Gray Hair Management, an Illnois-based outplacement firm. Gray Hair survey 900 executives to determine at what point does age begin to negatively affect hiring decisions. The executives said:
Before age 50: 24 percent
Between age 50 and 54: 39 percent
Between age 55 and 59: 23 percent
Age 60 or older: 11 percent
This is the first time I’ve seen statistics involving age discrimination by age.
Never ask a candidate how old they are. Never ask for proof of identification UNTIL AFTER a job offer has been given.
And never take any job action against an employee until you’re sure you can defend that action on the basis of business, and not a protected class such as age.