Many people find that they are disadvantaged because of their age. A Solingen company deliberately pays attention to a mix of boys and the elderly. People of retirement age also work there – because they want it.
Fadila Mahmic sits at her desk, labeled knife and finishes her for shipping. She works for the Solingen family company Windmühlenmesser. Even though she is already 71 years old and has long since reached retirement age. “I am still healthy at the moment and I have a variety. So I don't just have to cook, clean or iron,” she says and laughs.
The company and its owner Gieselheid Herder-Scholz deliberately relies on a mix of old and young among its approximately 80 employees. “The older employees once bring work experience and on the other hand their life experience,” she explains. “This is important for the work processes that you meet here. And on the other hand, they also enrich the social get -together.”
Study shows Age discrimination job
The company is a positive example of how older people can be integrated into companies. According to a new study by the federal anti -discrimination agency, this does not work everywhere. 45 percent of those surveyed in the study have already experienced age discrimination. One speaks of age discrimination when people are treated differently and disadvantageously because of their age.
According to the study, people aged 45 and over is perceived by age discrimination primarily in working life: 39 percent of the respondents report on it. This also corresponds to the long -term observations in advising the federal government's anti -discrimination agency. Especially women from the mid -40s and men aged 50 and over reports of discrimination against work searches, at the workplace or when leaving the job.
Windmill knife employee Christine Gehring (left) and managing director Gieselheid Herder-Scholz
Boys benefit from old
Gieselheid Herder-Scholz cannot understand that. “With us, the boys benefit from the experience and knowledge of the old. And that's exactly how it is the other way around.” About half of the workforce is more than 50 years old. “This also has to do with the fact that people stay in the company for a long time,” said Herder-Scholz. “Sometimes over 20 years.”
Christine Gehring has also been working for the Solingen family company for a long time. She is employed there in production. “Everyone is accepted here,” says Fehring. “No matter how old or young you are. We are like a big family. At age we don't make any differences.” The 58-year-old does not waste the pension. After all, she likes to come to work every morning.
“You can't pay for that with money”
Herder-Scholz also wants to pay attention to a mixture of experienced and younger people in the future. “We train young people who may have more vigor,” says Herder-Scholz. “But at the same time the experienced are essential for us. They pass on a lot of knowledge to the younger generation. You can't pay for or learn that with money.”
The appreciation of older colleagues is one of the reasons why Fadila Mahmic is still working for windmill knives. The respect among themselves is high. “I love my work,” she says. “I've been doing this work for over 30 years. I'm over 70, but honestly, I feel like 50,” she says, laughing again. However, she will probably stop soon to spend more time with her grandchildren. Not because your employer urges you.
