Age discrimination in resume (Finland vs Other Countries)

[globus]

I have read lots of articles about how to create your resume e.g . what to put in there, in which order etc. Also I read that it is illegal for employers to ask about certain information including questions about your age. Accidentally I found that some Finnish companies ask you to provide personal information (your age) in their career sections and the fields where you should type this information are marked with asterisks so you have to fill them before submitting. I don't know much about the Finnish legislation and how they deal with such questions but in the US and many other countries this is illegal.
So is it legal for Finnish employers to ask about your age in CV when you are applying for work in Finland?

[EP]

Yes, it is perfectly legal.

If I would be employing somebody I would like to know if s/he is going to retire in a year.

[Rick1]

In many countries it is not legal but the watchdog does not have teeth so they can often do what they want. I have seen advertisements like: our young group is looking for a colleague. You know then where your aplication will be put when you are over forty. And I think EP's answer is a little bit short through the corner and discriminating. Retirement age is flexible so in EP's opinion all 60 plusses should be stopping applying (which is unfortunately already the case).

[EP]

Retirement age is flexible so in EP's opinion all 60 plusses should be stopping applying (which is unfortunately already the case).

Well I have experience of applying at 50+. Totally futile. So at 60+, I would not even dream of it. Age discrimination is rampant in this country.

My husband also had to look for a new job at 50+. Young consultants at Mercury Urval had put his papers directly to a NO CHANCE pile. Only after an older type went through that pile he had a chance. The older guy had asked the younger ones why my husbands papers were in that pile. "Didn´t you notcie his age" was the answer.

[rinso]

Age discrimination is rampant in this country.

I know countries where you have very little chance after 35, unless you're a specialist of some sort.

So is it legal for Finnish employers to ask about your age in CV when you are applying for work in Finland?

If they don't ask, they'll can estimate it during the interview. No use in hiding it.

[Rick1]

To EP: That is why I did not understand your first answer because it looks like you justify age-discrimination. From my workexperience it works best when you have a good balance in male/female and old/young. If the older person asks twice as much as the younger one you might think twice ofcourse but here in Finland the differences are (normally) not that big (private).

[EP]

To EP: That is why I did not understand your first answer because it looks like you justify age-discrimination.

I certainly don´t. I have just become very cynical during the past decade. For a reason. The scenery for 50+ people looking for work is sombre, or more than sombre, it is pitch black. It is just ironical that those 30+ people who recruit seem to have forgotten that they age, too.

From my workexperience it works best when you have a good balance in male/female and old/young.

Tell that to 30+ recruiters.

[globus]

Yes, it is perfectly legal.

If I would be employing somebody I would like to know if s/he is going to retire in a year.

Did you mean that it was perfectly legal in Finland only?
For example it is not legal in the UK:
...
4. How can we ensure that our selection procedures do not discriminate on the grounds of age?

The legislation applies to applicants and employees alike so selection procedures must be age neutral. LGE recommends that:

* job advertising and job specifications/profiles should be free of direct or indirect age statements. Phrases such as 'mature person', 'young, dynamic team' and '10 years' experience' should be avoided unless justified
* employers should consider whether information requested that identifies age is necessary, such as dates of qualifications or training undertaken
* employers should consider removing the date of birth from the application form - this information could be provided with other equalities data on a monitoring form
* seeking and encouraging applicants from under-represented age groups. This is lawful (as positive action) but should be stated in advertising but employers must ensure that all age groups are treated fairly throughout the selection process.
...
For a full version of the document see http://www.lge.gov.uk/lge/core/page.do?pageId=119667
This is what they have in USA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_Discri ... oyment_Act
I am just wondering if there is a similar legislation act for Finland.

[Rip]

In theory there are the Non-Discrimination Act and Employment Contracts Act

In practice if they have ever been actually applied regarding age discrimination when hiring new employees, that is news to me.

[CatNip]

http://www.agediscrimination.info/inter ... nland.aspx

[jazzori]

I know countries where you have very little chance after 35, unless you're a specialist of some sort.

Yes, that's the first thing popping into my mind when I have read the discussion about 50+. A cruel reality.
So, at least where I come from, it is such a pressure to graduate with your class, not to miss out on years, not to waste time cause as soon as you hit 30-and-something not being employed, the chances are bleak.