In some countries, it is illegal for employers to reject the people are applying for job because of his/her age Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

 

In some countries, it is illegal for employers to reject the people are applying for job because of his/her age.  Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Being denied a job based on age is a quite ubiquitous practice worldover. However, some governments have come down strongly to discourage this arrangement and have laid strong fundamental rules, ensuring denying an application based on age is deemed unlawful. This although has been extolled as favorable, the set-backs it can cause to businesses cannot be overlooked. 

It is becoming exceedingly evident that organizations have been coaxed into espousing a liberal approach related to hiring people: hire personnel meeting the selection parameters based on the required skill sets, regardless of their age. This policy has opened up a big horizon for those in the post retirement age, or freshers, wanting to offer something to the world, based on their talent. This major change in the job world has led to more satisfied employees, earning them financial security. Similarly, this is helping individuals circumvent mental afflictions, and inclination to engage in crime.   

Having said that, a school of thought lambasts this policy and asserts that this can impact organizations adversely. It can lead to selection of candidates incongruous with the prerequisites of destined work, by virtue of lack of industrial experience, physical abilities, and so on, which could directly impact the performance of the organization. Many times, the consistently incrementing demand of staying up-to-date with technology has a potential to hinder the performance of aspirants short listed through this policy, impacting productivity, and consequently, the bottomline, proving to be a great disincentive to continue with their operations. Moreover, this could deprive institutions from selecting appropriately qualified and able-bodied aspirants, harming their interests in the long run. 

Overall, dispute aside, despite fetching certain benefits for the affected individuals, this edict can undermine the efficiency of employers and wrest the authority from them to hire adequately suitable workers. I feel the state, instead of enacting such statutes,  should opt for more prudent policies.