Weather legend Christa Kummer resigns: A sign against age discrimination!

Weather legend Christa Kummer resigns: A sign against age discrimination!

The departure of the well-known weather presenter Christa Kummer from ORF has triggered a wave of discussion. Kummer, who was part of “Zeit im Bild” for over three decades and was the first woman to present the weather on ORF, announced that her contract had not been renewed. She looks back on her last performance on September 19th with mixed feelings. She describes her departure as emotional and painful, but is grateful for the audience's acceptance over the 30-plus years of her career. Kummer, who at 61 often appeared in high heels and with a lively personality, sees work as her “elixir of life.”

According to an insider, heartache could be “just the tip of the iceberg.” Other presenters, including Verena Scheitz, Birgit Fenderl and Claudia Reiterer, have also left ORF, all of whom are over 50 years old. The farewell to Kummer leads to incomprehension among viewers, who wonder why experienced employees with extensive careers are not retained. Kummer himself expresses concerns about the opportunities for committed workers over 50 in the labor market and describes the current situation as disappointing and a “bad signal”.

Age discrimination in the labor market

In a broader context of age discrimination, many older workers share similar experiences. The average unemployment rate for people over 50 is 100 days longer than for younger applicants. Despite extensive professional experience and qualifications, many, such as 61-year-old Dorothee, who has been looking for a job for a year after being laid off for operational reasons, only find rejections. Even with modern know-how in the area of ​​sustainability, it remains challenging for many people over 50 to find a job.

As the discussion about Kummer makes clear, prejudices on the part of employers often appear to be the reason why older employees are viewed as less desirable. According to experts, employers often believe that older employees are expensive, sick more often and difficult to integrate into the team. These “images in their heads” make it significantly more difficult for older workers to find new opportunities in the labor market.

The perspectives of those affected

Despite these hurdles, many, like Kummer and Dorothee, remain committed to finding a place in working life. Kummer often negotiated her contract herself and expressed her desire to continue working. Her successor Wera Gruber, who also belongs to the over 50 age group, will take over the weather moderation from October 6th. ORF General Roland Weißmann praised Kummer's achievements and wishes her success for the future.

The situation raises questions about how companies can deal with demographic change and exploit the full potential of their experienced employees. It is recommended to rethink the image of aging in companies and to view older employees as valuable team members. The shortage of skilled workers in many industries could be an incentive to reduce age discrimination and to make targeted use of the experience of older workers.

Christa Kummer and numerous other professionals of the same age remain hopeful that their skills will continue to be in demand in the future and that they can play a valuable role in the job market.