Have You Ever Felt Discriminated Against Because Of Your Age?

Source: rocket50

Date:   February 18, 2023

Have You Ever Felt Discriminated Against Because Of Your Age? Ageism at work: Recognize these signs

Age discrimination is when you feel that you are treated less favorably because of your age. It is illegal in many countries including the United States, the European Union and in Great Britain.  However, ageism can be difficult to identify because some discriminatory practices are so common that they seem normal. In this article, we will look at what the law says in each of these regions and highlight some of the most common types of discrimination.

Age Discrimination Laws in the US

In the U.S., the Federal Age Discrimination Employment Act  ADEA outlaws age discrimination against people who are 40 years old and over. Under this law, discrimination is prohibited in any aspect of employment. This includes hiring, pay, promotion, layoff, and benefits. 

For protected workers, the ADEA prohibits discrimination at all levels of employment, from recruitment and hiring, through the employment relationship, and through decisions for layoffs or termination of the employment relationship.

Age Discrimination Laws in the EU

In 2000, the EU issued a Directive that bans discrimination on the basis of age in employment and occupation. It protects any individual who:

• Is treated unfairly when applying for a job because of their age
• Experiences name-calling or jokes from colleagues because of their age
• Is refused training or promotion because of their age

Discrimination on the basis of age is also prohibited under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In addition, there are various national laws that vary from country to country.

Age Discrimination Laws in Great Britain

Ageism is covered under Great Britain’s Equality Act 2010. This piece of legislation also prohibits discrimination on the basis of eight other characteristics, including race, sex, sexual orientation, and disability. The act covers everyone who is treated differently because of their age and not just people who would be considered “older.” Rather, it states that an individual should not be discriminated against because:

• They are or are not in a certain age group or of a certain age
• Someone thinks they are or are not in a specific age group or of a certain age
• They are associated with someone of a specific age or age group

The discriminatory treatment can be intentional or unintentional. It can be based on a policy or rule, or it may be a one-off action.

Common Forms of Age Discrimination

Ageism can take varying forms and it is not always a clear case. 

But here are 5 signs to be on the lookout for.

1. Older workers are being let go or offered early retirement, and younger ones continue to be hired. The most common term for this is “change management” But what it really means is that a company is bound and determined to hire younger, less expensive workers who are basically all about the same age with the same mind-set.
2. You are reassigned to more administrative tasks and left out of the more important strategic discussions and meetings.
3. You start hearing comments about your age. If your boss asks you, even in a friendly way, "when are you going to retire?"That's a strong sign. 
4. You stop getting raises and experience younger colleagues getting promoted to roles that you were not even considered for.
5. You are not offered any development opportunities.

Signs of Ageism in Your Organization 

Most hiring managers would reject the idea that they discriminate against mature employees. However, it can be difficult to identify when your own company policies and practices are biased. 

Signs that your company maybe discriminating against mature workers include:

• A workplace filled solely with people under 50. If your employees don’t reflect the demographics of your customer base or the larger population, it’s possible that you may not be doing enough to attract and retain 50-plus employees.
• You and others believe older people can’t manage modern technology and their health is declining on account of their age. These are stereotypes that have been proven to be incorrect, and believing them harms both the individual and the organization. Assess each employee or potential hire as an individual.
• You’re not actively working to challenge biases and create a multigenerational workforce. People are living and working longer, but society continues to glorify youth while viewing aging in a negative light. Age bias is likely to be a feature in your organization unless you address it.

Build a Multigenerational Workforce 

The multigenerational workforce brings together older and younger employees and leverages the strengths that each brings to the table. The benefits are enormous. 

Based on a unique OCED Dataset that links employer and employee characteristics, new analysis highlights that a company that has a 10% higher share of workers aged 50 and over than the average is 1.1% more productive 

Building a multigenerational workforce also yields a stronger pipeline of talent, increases resilience and improves workforce continuity, stability and the retention of know-how. 

Join a Vibrant Online Community Today

Stay part of an active and vibrant community.  Join Rocket50 today and make new connections with like-minded individuals who'll help you improve your career no matter what your age is.

Rocket50 is for people who love the idea of being switched on and tuned in the later stage of life. Grow your skills, increase your confidence, and discover what’s next for you.        

Join our 50+ community and partner with us every step of the way. Let’s spark a movement. Together.