The Importance Of Ageism In The Workplace

Ageism, an idea created by Robert Butler, can be described as degrading behavior or emotions toward older people based on one’s own fears or preconceived ideas (Butler, 1969). This kind of behavior can consist of anything from refusing jobs to someone due to their age and perceived capabilities from not offering ideal care to older people because one believes it is wasteful of resources. The presence of ageism within society leads to a population bound by certain stereotypes that can prohibit the advancement of people considered to be older adults.

Age discrimination in the workforce is a major issue in Today’s society. Although this is hardly ever mentioned, it is a concern that affects the aging population and their work performance. Those who are of old age are often not given a chance and looked down on. They are thought of as being mentally and physically in decline, less adaptable, unwilling to be trained, and costly to the organization. The elderly are considered “slow workers.” They are often forced to work extra hard to prove to their employer, they are capable of working as effective as the young. Defining someone’s work performance according to their age is against the law. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) addresses discrimination against the older population. This Act was passed by congress to ensure people of age 40 and older are given fair judgment in the workforce; however, the maturing population of baby boomers has led to an increasing number of elderly workers. This has cause age discrimination to rise. It is important that we review and analyze age discrimination has a political issues that must be changed. Although ADEA sets out to help the aging population, changes should be made within the employer. In order to seek change, one must first understand ADEA and how it promotes fair treatment for the elderly.

Ageism is any attitudes, actions, or institutional structure which subordinates a person or group because of their age or any assignment of roles in society purely on the basis of age. It typically reflects a prejudice in society against older adults. The concept of aging varies across different cultures as different countries have varying demographic statistics such as Japan and Italy having significant part of their population above the age of 60 versus most countries in Africa who have significant parts of their population below the age of 30. Most research on ageism is done on children, adolescents, or young adults with few studies on actual older adults. Age is increasingly becoming a more positive concept, yet older people are still stereotyped. The three theories in sociology about aging are disengagement, activity, and continuity.

Racism is the belief that one certain race is superior to another considering that race to be less than them, and are therefore are discriminated, stereotyped, and antagonized against. Racism has been known and experienced all throughout history. It has been a constant battle, and unfortunately it is still very current in today’s times. Recently in the world today, there have been several stories regarding racism and shootings, and in the article “Feds fault San Francisco police for violence against minorities and recommend 272 reforms” it strongly focuses on this issue. It’s a tragic thing for cops to be considered racist when they are supposed to be the protectors of our nation. In the article, it states how federal officials made 272 separate recommendation for reform, which would help train and advice the officers on their duties. These recommendations are taken daily by the San Francisco Police Department in

Sissy Spacek played Mrs. Walters, the demented, ornery mother of a racist woman in the movie, The Help. In this film by Columbus and Taylor (2011), ageism was portrayed multiple times in the eyes of her own daughter, Hilly Holbrook. For example, Hilly was indifferent of her mother’s forgetful behavior, ignored her feelings and direct remarks, and depended on her helper to meet her mother’s basic needs. In a specific scene, she ordered her helper, “Give mother a chair before she breaks her hip.” In return, Mrs. Walters replied, “I’m still not deaf, you know.” In the end, despite her memory lapses, Columbus and Taylor (2011) set the scene when Mrs. Walters confronted her daughter’s disrespectful behavior stating, “I may

According to Adrienne Lake, she met with a job recruiter and was given a look of disapproval when the recruiter saw how old Lake was. In conjunction with this, Lake was told, by the recruiter, that the job was looking “for a recent college graduate, because they haven’t developed bad habits yet” (Jackson). After Lake heard the news, she began to question why would a job not want to have her years of experience. Another incident that involved ageism was with a woman, named Lois Brown. In accordance with Brown, she has read many articles about how those aged 50 and over “understand the necessity of keeping up with the latest trends, technology, etc” (Jackson). Also, Brown stated that “trying to prove age discrimination from a legal perspective is virtually impossible unless a hiring person blurts it out” (Jackson). According to Brown, the only way to do away with ageism is to “keep looking for that job, start a business” (Jackson). To restate, Brown had experiences with ageism, but choices to fight against the stigma that is caused by

Some negative examples of how people in the workforce perceive older adults in the workforce are that older workers produce lower quality work, inflexible, less productive and are resistant to change. Some employers believe older adult workers skills are dated or do not have the required set of competence needed. Giving training and continuing education opportunities as well as companies adapting these courses to those with less experience technically will help with ensuring that older adults continue to feel like a vital part of the business and keep working until they decide to

The article Ageism in Health Care Needs To End, Doctors Say, debates about how the culture of ageism among medical structures require adjustments. The article highlights that health workers usually treat seniors like they don't deserve the same concern as younger Canadians.

Ageism is surprisingly common in Australia, particularly within the workforce. The definition of ageism in working life according to Furunes and Mykletun (2009), is the “stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination against ageing workers, based on chronological age or age categories such as older worker or senior”. This phenomenon has seen older workers increasingly subjected to biases and discriminatory practices when seeking and maintaining employment. Hence, the importance for organisations to understand current and trending issues on age discrimination, in order to draft and implement, effective, and relevant policies. The purpose of this report is to provide an in-depth analysis on ageism as a diversity issue in the workplace and to recommend organisational policies that recognise older workers as a strategic advantage. This analysis will focus on literature relevant to the recruitment and development of older workers. To begin with, this report will consider the context of ageism in Australia providing a deeper understanding of the diversity issue. Furthermore, an extensive discussion on the positive and negative age stereotypes of older workers will follow. The report will then review literature regarding organisational practices towards recruitment and development from an age related perspective. Finally, recommendations will ensue, providing organisational best practise suggestions to create age positive recruitment and training experiences.

Age discrimination has long been present in society due to the rapid development happening around us. According to Farney, Aday & Breault (2006), this era of ageism is defined as "discrimination against any age group", but it often is pointed to age discrimination among adults which is slowly causing a negative effect for them in the workplace. In the workplace, adults with more experience and longer history behind them are targets of this ageism belief that companies and employers tend to have (Farney, Aday, & Breault, 2006). They are shunned and even fired in favor of accepting new and fresh faces for the company they have worked for. Unknown to most companies and employers, this notion of favoring the young and banishing the old can

ll he said was that he is open to let people know he’s in it in case someone needs more information. Upon studying his answers to the psychological side of his life we discussed his involvement in a 12 step program. We came to an agreement that this program was a great resource that he has taken advantage of to improve his life for the better. We proceeded to ask him if he ever felt discriminated because of his age. The look on his face changed to sad. He said he was never discriminated personally to his face but he felt like some of his students wish he would retire. He continued to add that he has read on online sites students saying negative things about him. After reviewing his response to ageism we came to an agreement that the best way

In today’s economy and workforce, ageism is a factor that we see appear way too often. Ageism reverses it’s roles (discrimination for being too old and discrimination for being too young) and changes its job essentials when need be. The effects of Ageism do not “discriminate”. This particular discussion has an experienced meaning to me since I have encountered ageism in previous employment. However, before sharing my experience I would like to express my position on the posted statement. “Older workers take employment from the young”. I spoke with a few friends on this issue and their responses seemed bias for the fact that we are all young (19-21), yet each of us obtain jobs that Older adults normally obtain. My friends and I discovered that

While the “Greatest Generation” is a title often given to those Americans who lived and died during the era of the Great Depression and World War II, their offspring, the “Baby Boom” generation, significantly shaped and improved the American landscape as well if for no greater reason than the sheer number of people who make up this population (Steinhorn, 2006). Today, based predominantly on that very same reason, the baby boomer population is now making a very different, yet equally as profound impact on American society. More

In Job training career counseling are less available to older workers ( Do not have supportive supervisors).

Age discrimination in employment is a complex issue which impacts many areas of Government policy and has many implications for individuals themselves. Age discrimination can occur across all spectrums of employment and can affect both young and old. Age discrimination can affect a person’s chances of getting a job, and potentially their chances of promotion or development within the workplace. Age can also be a factor when employers are deciding who should be selected during a workforce downsize or redundancy of work due to a mergers and acquisitions.