Tackling ageism in the workplace

Swift, Hannah, J.; Steeden, Ben; Randsley de Moura, Georgina

Abstract

Many countries have encouraged policies to promote the labor market participation of older workers, who tend to be defined as those aged 50 and over . Yet despite the existence of equality legislation which outlaws age discrimination in employment, ageism continues to be a core issue in the recruitment and retention of older workers. Ageism is defined as the stereotyping of and discrimination against individuals or a group of individuals because of their age . It can limit opportunities afforded to workers, influence interactions within the workplace, and result in avoidance, exclusion or early exit from the labour market . However, workers can also be affected by self-ageism, which is the application of negative age stereotypes to the self that can result in modified behaviour, expectations and performance based outcomes . This chapter outlines the ways in which ageism manifests in the workplace and in organizational settings. Specifically, it explores ageism on the grounds of perceived ‘old age’, most often directed towards older workers, and ageism directed towards the self, due to awareness and recognition of negative age stereotypes. The final part of the chapter outlines social psychological approaches and interventions to tackle ageism in the workplace. Although it is widely recognized that ageism is a form of prejudice and discrimination that can affect anyone at any age, this chapter predominately focuses on ageism experienced on the basis of perceived old age.

• Online Publication Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Dec 9, 2021
• Pages: 211-227
• Series Title: The Rowman and Littlefield Handbook Series
• Book Title: The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook on Aging and Work
• Chapter Number: 12
• ISBN: 9781538129944
• Keywords: social science, ageism, workplace
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7775872
• Publisher URL: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538129944/The-Rowman-and-Littlefield-Handbook-on-Aging-and-Work
• Additional Information: Full chapter author list:; Hannah J. Swift, Ben Steeden, and Georgina Randsley de Moura.; ; Book edited by Elizabeth F. Fideler.
• Contract Date: Oct 26, 2019