Age Discrimination Against Older Workers Highlights Systemic Employment Issues in Germany

Andrea Lehwald, an experienced human resources expert, has brought attention to the persistent age discrimination faced by Baby Boomers and Generation X workers in Germany. Despite being expected to work until age 67, many individuals over 50 struggle to find employment, as companies often perceive them as "too old," inflexible, or outdated. Lehwald calls this contradiction a "system error," emphasizing that the valuable experience, stability, and conflict resolution abilities of older employees are frequently overlooked by employers who favor younger candidates for cost and adaptability reasons.

She stresses that skills developed over decades, especially those navigating the transition from analog to digital workplaces, cannot easily be replaced by online training or AI. This bias not only affects those over 50 but can also impact workers in their 40s. Additionally, Lehwald highlights the looming demographic challenge as Boomers retire, creating significant workforce gaps, particularly in sectors such as IT and management.

To address this, Lehwald advocates for mixed-age teams where younger and older employees learn from each other, focusing hiring decisions on motivation and skills rather than chronological age. She urges businesses to reassess their undervaluation of older generations, pointing out that their knowledge is critical for future challenges. This discourse illuminates systemic issues in Germany's labor market concerning the undervaluation and exclusion of experienced older workers.