There are unfortunately still all forms of discrimination that occur in the workforce including age discrimination. Mature age workers are set to make up the bulk of our workforce, yet age discrimination remains a real issue, particularly for job seekers in the current market. I have not experienced age discrimination in my career as yet (however no doubt once I hit 40 this will change) however I know many who have and have seen it occur during my HR and Recruitment career.
I stumbled upon a terrific article on this very subject, “Why companies discriminate based on age and what to do about it” In the article they explore some reasons as to why discrimination occurs and how to handle it from costs, to looks, dealing with parents and the energy and enthusiasm levels!
So given it is illegal, the concern is how do companies get away with it. Someone suggested it is “hard to prove, even harder to get “compensated” in case of discrimination. The companies know how to cover their tracks. The recession gave companies a great excuse to lay off “older” employees, without risking anything.” Another mature worker found that age discrimination when job seeking was the catalyst for them going on to create their own successful multi-billion dollar businesses. A shame really that so many businesses are missing out on all this talent because of outdated thinking.
Have you encountered age discrimination before? How did you manage it?
10 Comments
I am 58 years old (male) and currently job hunting, my previous
role ended on 30 June 09, so I have been actively job hunting
for the past 10 weeks.
I have not come across and obvious age discrimination, but at
any interview with a recruiter or a prospective employer I am
always older than the person I’m meeting with. This also
applies in the workplace as well. It’s been many, many years
since I’ve worked directly with anyone my age or older than me.
I really wonder where all the mature age workers have gone.
Speaking as someone over 40 (and not far off over 50), this article made my blood boil. Not once did it challenge any of the perceived disadvantages of older employees, or present any potential advantages they may have.
For every older employee who thinks their experience means they know it all, I bet there’s an arrogant Gen Y whose lack of experience means they don’t have a clue how much they DON’T know.
The message of this article was if you have family commitments and put them first, if you seek stability (i.e. won’t move cities / countries to get or keep your job), then you’re a liability and you shouldn’t expect employers to take you on.
I accept that there are lots of benefits to energetic, hungry, flexible committed employees (but hey, those qualities don’t automatically come with youth), but there are also lots of benefits to life experience, stability and a softening of ego and those qualities are more likely (though again not automatically) to come with age.
To me, the article was a brilliant argument for the over 40s to start their own business and never be at the mercy of smug employers and recruiters who can’t be bothered to think beyond the rigid box within which they’ve defined their “ideal” candidate.
I’m holding that thought… Watch this space.
I am 58 yo and have been actively seeking employment for the last six(6) months. Prior to my unemployment I have held senior positions such as Regional Director for Asia-Pacific for a medical device company, Director of Business Development for Asia-Pacific, Product Management & Sales roles in Australia & New Zealand (this first position mentioned was my last which I held for 10 years).
I have had a couple of instances where age descrimination were the obvious reasons for not getting the job but, as mentioned earlier, companies have excellent and varied reasons (excuses) to cover the fact. The most commonly used reason is “you’re over-qualified for the role”, “although your qualifications exceeded our requirements, more suitable applicants have presented” – what’s that mean….?
The worst proponents are the recruiters who decide, even before you get to the employer, that they don’t think you will fit the criteria and don’t even submit your CV for consideration.
Starting your own business (which I did) is not always the best viable or financial option.
my age discrimination experience was whilst I was employed. I am a 57 year young female, I held a senior management role in a superannuation administration company. I have been in the industry since 1974, have a wealth of knowledge and consideer myself to be a pretty good people manager who runs a fair but tight ship. I was retrenched from my job at the end of April 09.
A year earlier a new manager joined the business, I was one of his direct reports and had been in the role for over 2 years a that point, he is a 35 year old who made it quite evident that I was “too old” he even asked me if I felt old when we were discussing family, we talked about the ages of my children to which he retorted “she is older than me, do you feel old” too which I said “No, experienced”.
My BU was successful, meeting service levels, bonuses and budget. I had improved productivity and was able to attrition roles in my BU as productivity increased.
He recruited his own younger staff, who lacked experience and had an agressive / arrogant manner like him. My whole business unit (about 60 staff) was handed over to one of his recruits who had a very small business unit. I was retrenced on my first day back from a few weeks of sick leave. No opportunities were offered to me despite the business restructure and new management roles being created shortly after I had gone. I had been told he had felt threatened by me, I never wanted his job, I was very passionate about the role I had. I knew much more than him about the business and his ego did not allow for this situation. I never corrected him in or out of public view. I treated him with respect befitting his position. Perhaps this was my downfall!
The whole retrenchment process was handled very poorly by this person, he had no engaging people management style and made me feel more like a criminal! Had it been done more humanely it would have been easier to take.
Throughout my working life I have never experienced such degrading treatment. This was age discrimunation at its worst!
I remain outraged at the narrow minded ignorance of people who lack experience, abuse their position (he is status obsessed), consider experienced people as a threat instead of an opportunity to learn more. This mindset is detrimental to the success of any business.
In discussions this week with a ‘mature age worker’ who also experienced age discrimination, and like many ended up successfully and happily self employed it was highlighted to me that age discrimination also leads to job seekers taking the expat route. Those talented 40+ year olds who struggle to secure a decent job in Australia contribute to the brain drain and make up the million or so expats whose maturity and expertise is being so sought after and appreciated by overseas businesses.
I am a (mature age!) research assistant working on a new piece of research on behalf of National Seniors Association and the Human Rights commission. We are keen to interview anyone who feels they have experienced age discrimination in employment.If anyone out there is willing to participate, it would be great if you would email me mariastf@googlemail.com
Jean – your treatment sounds dreadful and I admire your dignity in handling it. Did you consider taking any further action,seeking legal advice, or making a compliant? It sure sounds as if it would be worth trying to get some redress.
Maria
Maria, you raise a most relevant point that I had overlooked – the fact that there is legislation to protect current and prospective employees from discriminatory employers.
In Victoria there is the Victorian Equal Opportunty and Human Rights Commission http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/home.asp with each state having something similar.
Hi, I want people to realize that this is bigger than what you think. I am 21, I have an impressive resume. Worked only three jobs one of them i worked for three years and rose from associate to assistant manager.
But because I am 21 employers have specifically told me that they are looking for someone older. Because since I’m so young i only want to party, get drunk and show up to work with a hangover.
I have been unable to get another job since Feb 09. This recession isn’t making it any easier on me either. and quite frankly, i’m at a loss for what to do
Dion you raise a very relevant issue that I did neglect to mention which is that discrimation occurs when you are both considered ‘too old’ or ‘too young’for the job. In terms of your challenge, is this happening when you send applications, or after interviews with employers or recruitment agencies? Please contact me directly should you wish to discuss further on 1300 780 177