>>BEWARE ANTI-AGEISM LEGISLATION; SAFEWAY IS PROVING A DRAG
When we last touched on the issue of ageism in grocery, we clearly hit a nerve with readers, as our coverage sparked a flurry of letters from those who felt they had failed to get a particular management job because they were perceived as being too old.
This week we return to the debate. And as our feature on page 32 shows, there does seem to be a problem here that needs to be tackled. In markets such as grocery, where job opportunities are rapidly being consolidated, this problem is particularly acute. Hardly a day goes by, it seems, without news of yet another head office rationalisation and more redundancies. In simplistic terms it means there are fewer decent jobs available and a growing pool of talented people of all ages who are able to fill them. Little wonder some companies feel they can still pick and choose who they employ, often using age as the final deciding factor.
Now, it could also be argued that the laws of supply and demand will eventually sort out this problem. As experts in demographics often point out, the UK population is getting older, which means there are fewer young people to employ, which in turn means companies will in future no longer have the luxury of operating youth policies - covert or otherwise.
Our Reader Panel survey of top executives at supplier companies on page four highlights the fact that they are keen to see the protracted Safeway auction come to a swift conclusion. The fact the process has lasted so long has caused a real sense of unease across the market. Last week’s delay by the Competition Commission in delivering its report to Patricia Hewitt has only added to the uncertainty because we are now unlikely to get her verdict until the end of September. Her decision carries huge political ramifications. But that’s no excuse for delaying publication any longer than necessary. So gives us your decision soon, Patricia, and help end this agony.
Over forty, over the hill?
end this agony
When we last touched on the issue of ageism in grocery, we clearly hit a nerve with readers, as our coverage sparked a flurry of letters from those who felt they had failed to get a particular management job because they were perceived as being too old.
This week we return to the debate. And as our feature on page 32 shows, there does seem to be a problem here that needs to be tackled. In markets such as grocery, where job opportunities are rapidly being consolidated, this problem is particularly acute. Hardly a day goes by, it seems, without news of yet another head office rationalisation and more redundancies. In simplistic terms it means there are fewer decent jobs available and a growing pool of talented people of all ages who are able to fill them. Little wonder some companies feel they can still pick and choose who they employ, often using age as the final deciding factor.
Now, it could also be argued that the laws of supply and demand will eventually sort out this problem. As experts in demographics often point out, the UK population is getting older, which means there are fewer young people to employ, which in turn means companies will in future no longer have the luxury of operating youth policies - covert or otherwise.
Our Reader Panel survey of top executives at supplier companies on page four highlights the fact that they are keen to see the protracted Safeway auction come to a swift conclusion. The fact the process has lasted so long has caused a real sense of unease across the market. Last week’s delay by the Competition Commission in delivering its report to Patricia Hewitt has only added to the uncertainty because we are now unlikely to get her verdict until the end of September. Her decision carries huge political ramifications. But that’s no excuse for delaying publication any longer than necessary. So gives us your decision soon, Patricia, and help end this agony.
Over forty, over the hill?
end this agony
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