Why Diversity Is Important (Part IV)
Yvette Thornton
Innovation Strategist Program Management | Driving Business Growth through Data-Driven Solution and Inclusive Leadership
In full transparency, I’ve been writing this article for months now.? This topic hits a little too close to home for my comfort. You see I’ve never considered myself as a possible victim of ageism. However, according to Senior Living, “47% of American workers over age 40 have experienced age discrimination or ageism in their careers. The typical age when age discrimination first begins is about 45 years old.”[1]
FORTY-FIVE!!!? ?
While age discrimination affects both men and women across companies of all sizes and industries, women withstand the worst of it. According to AARP, 72% of women between 45 and 74 believe ageism is an issue at work, compared to 57% of men in the same age group.[2]
A LinkedIn article written by Ajeta (AJ) discusses how women are doubly impacted by ageism and sexism. She writes that after years of balancing the challenges of home and career while enduring unfair company politics, many women over forty-five feel like they are becoming “invisible.”? She also states that many employers believe that women in their late forties and fifties are too expensive and hiring them would lead to higher health care costs.[3] ?(think menopause) Additionally, as women begin to show visible signs of aging, their competence and relevance are questioned.[4],[5] ?Meanwhile, gray-haired men are often deemed wise and distinguished.
FORTY-FIVE.
The thing is…45 is when things start to get good for women - or at least it did for me. At 45, we enter a space of empowerment. The fear of judgment diminishes, and we become more confident and secure in our identities. We are self-assured because we have managed life’s complexities and we’re still standing. For working moms whose children are more independent, we find ourselves with more time, energy, curiosity, and financial stability. Don’t get me wrong there are still bad days and aches that didn’t exist before, but they no longer consume us – they’re just moments in time. We are resilient. [6]
Empowerment, confidence, resilience, self-assurance, agility, and advanced critical thinking skills - all these qualities translate into valuable assets in the workplace.
Research supports this. Harvard Business Review reports that age-diverse teams perform better overall, make better decisions, and collaborate more effectively. [7]? ?Professor Dr. Arthur Brooks author of From Strength to Strength, summarizes it perfectly: “As a young adult, you can solve problems quickly; as you get older, you know which problems are worth solving.” The skill of knowing where to focus and the ability to do it quickly can be a game-changer for organizations that need to move effectively and efficiently. Creating an environment where younger and older workers can freely exchange ideas with each other increases learning, promotes creativity, and builds a more dynamic workplace. [8],[9]
?So, while aging has its challenges, the benefits are immeasurable and crucial for building strong, innovative teams that perform better and have greater job satisfaction. Companies that embrace age diversity improve their overall strength thus proving that - diversity does matter.
?[4] Marcus, B. (2021, June 2). 7 Ways Women Over 50 Can Overcome Ageism in the Workplace. Eve Programme. ?
[7] Gerhardt, M., Nachemson-Ekwall, J. and Fogel, B. (2022, March 8). Harnessing the Power of Age Diversity. Harvard Business Review.
[9] Newsome, P., (2024, May 30). The Importance of Age Diversity in the Workplace. 4 Corner Resources.
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Consultant | Legal + HR Expertise | Mediator/Arbitrator I Not for Profit Executive
5 个月Love this article Yvette. Love the opinion part but also love the research references. There is discrimination at younger ages.i had a client who was 40 in a startup that was lead by 30 year olds and she was the oldest at the company and one of the only senior women and constant references were made to her age including mocking that she wasn’t facile in some of the newest technologies. So ageism exists at even 40!!