Have you ever looked for a job and been rejected just because you are older? My name is Diego, I am 54 years old and I have suffered discrimination in the selection processes because of my age. Unfortunately, my case is not the only one, as 1 in 2 people in the world discriminates against older people because of their age. And I know of many cases close to me.

Recruiters in companies do not openly admit it, but the data show that this type of discrimination is just as serious and in some cases even more serious than other types of exclusion.

To end this practice, which is so harmful to our society, we need an anonymous CV, which omits the date of birth and other personal data irrelevant to the job.

Sign and share to demand the European Union to help implement a compulsory blind CV in all member states to reduce ageism in the labour market. In countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany or France many companies apply it or there is even legislation to avoid this discrimination in employment processes. In Spain, we are at the bottom of the list and we need to make progress. Ageism is a global problem and that is how we must fight it.

When it happens to you, you often learn that your career, training and interest in the job become irrelevant if you are over 45. That is why unemployment after this age in Spain is 56% and even higher in the case of women.

This problem is real to the point that I know recruiters who reject all CVs from people over 45 without even reading them. Straight into the bin.

I understand that human resources departments receive a lot of applications, but sifting someone because of their age is a clear form of discrimination, as well as a limitation for society as a whole. And if this situation is not enough, governments, employers, and trade unions encourage this situation when they plan temporary or permanent lay-offs by forcing older people to take early retirement.

Are we really so overflowing with talent that we can throw away so many people with so much value to contribute?

We also have a lot to contribute and intergenerational learning is fundamental in a diverse society such as ours. Moreover, a blind curriculum would not only help to eradicate ageism, but also discrimination based on gender or origin. In Spain, a 2020 study showed that this CV helped to recruit more diverse staff in terms of gender and age, and companies reported that they had no problems with the process being carried out anonymously.

What are we waiting for to roll this out in Europe? Let's follow suit and get the EU to adopt a common blind CV and get member countries to adapt their legislation to implement it as soon as possible.

If you are over 50, it affects you. If you are under 50, it may affect you in the future if we do something NOW to prevent it. Sign and share this campaign.

Let's make a lot of noise to reach the Government and the EU!

Thank you for your support