Geriatric, us? | HR leaders, be careful about stereotyping the over 50s in the things you say and do!

In September, I'll turn 46. While I could still just about say I'm in my 'mid-forties', there is that niggling feeling that the next big milestone is 50. When it comes to my personal life, I don't feel 'nearly 50' at all. In fact, the older I get, the more 'happy in my own skin' I feel.

And then I think about work. Not my actual work, which I love, but the way my age group (and the one I'm approaching) seems to be sitting more and more in a pigeon hole, surrounded by words like 'geriatric' and 'older'.

And don't I know it - from the calls from MPs to 'lure' the 'older generation back to work, to references to the over 50s and their skills, I feel like I'm suddenly on pensioner's park bench.

A recent piece I wrote for HR Grapevine looked at how balance of age in the workplace is key to a thriving workforce. I've also read about 'older' workforce, the returners, and recently how the over 50s might be encouraged to start their own business.