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On age discrimination, it can work both ways. At the moment (and for a
couple of years now) a number of UK firms are actively recruiting older
people. Apart from being good PR, their view is that, generally, they
are politer and have more 'people' skills where there is direct contact
with the public - they're prepared to listen and actually help the
customers :-)
There still seems to be a prevailing view that you need to work long
hours to get the job done, and that maternity/paternity leave is seen
bad for the company, ditto time off for family related events, even
dentists etc.
Maternity leave, while it can cause problems for a company, can be
prepared for as long as the company knows in time that it's going to
happen - it's called planning! Here in the UK you have to have worked
for a company for a set time before you're eligible for maternity leave
so they have at least that amount of time. Re the cost, I think a lot of
it is down to admin/bureaucracy as most of the cost can be reclaimed
from the government.
I think companies need to learn the benefits of being 'staff friendly'.
A year or so ago I read about a company in London (financial I think)
where the owner started a family and found out for himself the demands
of family life and decided to do something about it. He re-organised the
company so that legitimate time off (sports days etc) could be
accommodated, added flexible working etc and what did he find?
Productivity increased due to happier staff and staff turnaround
dropped. Something to ponder.
Damien Braniff
Sr. Technical Writer
damienb -at- asg -dot- com
Waterfront Plaza
8, Lagan Bank Road
Belfast, N. Ireland BT1 3LR
Tel: +44 (0) 28.9072.3124
Fax: +44 (0) 28.9072.3324
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