Ageism Rife in the UK and other countries Workplaces
Colin Thompson
Managing Partner Cavendish/Author/International Speaker/Mentor/Partner
Ageism impacts the growth of the UK and globally
Age discrimination is widespread in the UK and some other countries and many workers hold unrealistic perceptions about their own career prospects, according to research.
A survey of 2682 managers and personnel professionals found that `60%` felt they have been personally disadvantaged at work because of their age (any age!) and nearly a quarter of those surveyed admitted that age has an impact on their own recruitment decisions.
The research also revealed that almost half had suffered age discrimination through job applications while 39% believed their chances of promotion were hindered by age discrimination. This claim is backed up by individual perceptions of age where over half (63%) of respondents believed that workers between the ages of 30-39 years old had the best promotion prospects, with only 2% citing 50 year-olds or above.?Why cast aside skills and?experience when the rest of the world encourages people not to retire!?
A majority, (80%) reported that they are hanging on to the expectation that they will personally retire by the age of 65, despite believing that the age of retirement for the average person in 10 years' time will be 66 or older. In the USA, they are calling back?the retired skilled and experienced people to return to work has the country` needs` them! Other countries globally see people leaving the country in droves and heading for the UK.
"Our research shows that most managers expect everyone to be retiring later within 10 years - except themselves. There is a growing acceptance that the average worker is going to stay at work beyond 65. But no-one seems to think it applies to them." Senior people are fit and healthy plus very reliable!
Two-thirds of respondents said they anticipated working part time towards the end of their working life and a quarter claimed that the ability to work reduced hours would be a key factor influencing their retirement. However, they said that only a third of organisations offer part-time working to older employees, while only a quarter offer career advice to older workers. The rest of the world encourages people to continue to work has the skilled, experienced and fit are needed!??
"Looking at the changing demographics, approximately 80% of the workforce is already in employment. As such, organisations will need to focus on up-skilling and re-skilling their current workforce. This is reflected by the finding that the need to retain skills is the key driver of retirement policy. Again, senior people are happy to retrain if given the opportunity due to their flexibility!?The rest of the world respect skilled and experienced people to train new people when they come on board.
"The days of a single, linear career are over and employees must take some responsibility for creating new opportunities and challenges in their later working lives," "But, in order for this to happen, organisations will have to adapt to ensure that older workers are treated as an `asset` and offered flexibility."
What are your experiences of Ageism?
Age Prejudice is most common form of discrimination
Most people have reported suffering age discrimination than any other form of discrimination, according to the first national survey of age-related prejudice.
Research carried out found that 29% of respondents were discriminated against because of their age.
Interviews were conducted with 1,843 people over 16. From the age of 55, people were nearly twice as likely to have experienced age discrimination than any other form of discrimination. Nearly one-third of respondents said there was more prejudice against old people than five years ago and that they expected it to get worse.
Change your age policies or pay
In October 2006 a series of employment law changes came into effect which will mean employers will no longer be able to recruit, train, promote or retire people on the basis of age unless it can be objectively justified. Are companies following these laws? Or are they using Performance managed out of your job!?
Research has shown that people over 50 are placed as the third most disadvantaged group in the workplace after those with learning difficulties and those with physical disabilities.
Attitudes and mind sets of companies and individuals have to be changed to provide them with the workforce of the future. The rest of the world respect age, has they do skills and experience, so why do the UK have the opposite attitude?
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With an ageing but skilled and experienced population in the UK, discriminating against workers on the grounds of age means employers may be missing out on the talents of the one million economically inactive older people who could contribute an additional ￡30 billion to the annual economic output. So why are UK companies reluctant to encourage people who are skilled and experienced to continue to contribute to the economy?
Now, it is predicated that more than 40% of the UK workforce will be over 45, and only 17% will be under 24.?Many firms, especially retailers such as Asda, B&Q, and BT have adapted hiring policies designed to attract older workers. Age discrimination currently costs the economy over ￡16 billion a year by reducing the size of the labour market.
Companies have had to be very careful with ageism. In contrast to race or sex discrimination cases, older workers often claim they will not get another job and seek compensation for ten or even 20 years lost of earnings. Yes, they will win their case!
Also, the impact on the future depends on the present workforce, just look at the debt crisis at present which continues to escalate. The scale of the debt crisis among the young, poor and vulnerable became apparent?today as it emerged that the number of people declaring themselves insolvent has reached record levels. Also, business failures grew to their highest level since records began. The retail sector was worst hit.
Most skilled and experienced?senior people are very prudent, with no debt and are `very fit` and willing to continue working; they are?an?asset!
The UK needs to wake up to their skilled, experienced and fit senior workforce who will be needed to grow the economy. The rest of the world have work forces of `all` ages who work side by side for the benefit of?`all`!?The UK should `embrace` a work?force that includes `all` ages.
What are your experiences of Ageism?
“`You` Do Not Build a Business – You Build People – Then People Build The Business for Success for All the People of all Ages”
-?????????Colin Thompson
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