Age Stereotypes

Stereotypes - Older workers

Negative

• difficulty with change
• coasting to retirement
• little return on investment
• out of date / technophobic
• unable to grasp new ideas
• poor health
• slower learners / disinterested in training
• lacking energy and creativity

Positive

• stable and settled
• better time keeping
• know the ropes
• varied experiences
• ability to teach and mentor
• mature and confident
• provide greater stability
• less concerned with image

Stereotypes - Younger workers

Negative

• immature and impetuous
• social life more important
• not likely to stay
• no loyalty
• unreliable
• lack confidence
• not focused
• unreceptive to authority

Positive

• energetic / enthusiastic
• new ideas / fresh approach
• willing to learn / easier to train
• try anything
• cheaper
• more adaptable
• innovative

Evidence of discrimination

• 71% of respondents had experienced discrimination while looking for work, of which 18% cited being too old or ageism as the main form of discrimination.
• 22% of respondents had personal experience of age discrimination.
• Of those surveyed, 39% said peers/colleagues and 46% said line managers are the main people discriminate in the workplace.

“Equality at Work” – TMP/Guardian (October 2003)

• 1 in 5 have been discouraged from applying for a job due to age restrictions in the job ad
• 8% of under-35s have been told they are too young for a job
• 15% of workers have experienced discrimination of some kind during a job interview
• Over a third of workers over 50 years old have experienced age discrimination at work
• 40% of all workers have been discriminated at work. Age is cited as the main form in a third of call cases

Age, pensions & retirement- CIPD (2003)

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