'I've put the hard yards in': Older jobseekers say ageism stopping them from getting work

RNZ (Radio New Zealand)State / PublicProgressiveNov 4

New Zealand’s national unemployment rate reached 5.7% in September, while the underutilization rate for individuals over 55 averaged 8.5%. Several older jobseekers report facing significant barriers to employment due to perceived ageism, including concerns from employers regarding longevity, salary expectations, and potential overqualification. One applicant described being advised to simplify her resume to avoid appearing too experienced, while another noted receiving very few responses to numerous applications despite extensive industry experience. Experts suggest that rising state pension ages will force businesses to actively integrate older workers into the labor market. The article highlights personal frustrations related to retirement savings shortfalls and the psychological impact of persistent job rejections among this demographic.

Bias read (Progressive): The piece frames labor market exclusion as systemic discrimination against a vulnerable group, emphasizing social welfare implications like KiwiSaver deficits and implicitly supporting policies that protect older workers.

StuffIndependentCenterNov 3

New Zealand’s unemployment rate has increased to 5.7%, marking the third consecutive period of rising joblessness. This trend indicates a gradual weakening in the labor market conditions within the country. No further details regarding specific sectors affected or economic forecasts were provided in the available text.

Bias read (Center): The headline uses neutral statistical language to report a macroeconomic indicator without employing loaded terms or attributing blame to any political actor.