Older people''s lives scarred by workplace ageism

Workplace ageism is creating a community of frustrated, depressed and anxious older people, according to new research carried out by MaturityWorks. Ageism has consequences far beyond the workplace - for 78% of
older people who have been victims of ageism, the experience of ageist discrimination has stayed with them and continues to scar their lives.

Indeed, an astonishing 71% admit that ageism has affected their mental well-being, and almost one in three believe it has affected their marriage.

Moreover, the impact isn''t limited to senior workers as ageism is now undermining workers as young as 35.

The MaturityWorks research uncovered a bleak picture. 65% of victims of ageism are not confident of getting another job, 83% believe they have been denied employment on the grounds of age, and 71% admit to being anxious about the future. Within organisations, older workers see themselves as targets for redundancy, feeling frustrated and resentful that their valuable skills are going to waste when they still have much to contribute to an employer.

MaturityWorks, the web recruitment service for older people, interviewed 150 people in April 2003 to investigate the social impact of workplace ageism.

The objective was to give a voice to the actual victims of ageism. The average age of respondents was 53 (ages ranged from 34 to 67), 56% were male and 44% were female.

Key findings of the MaturityWorks Report include:
* 79% of respondents interviewed by MaturityWorks have been victims of ageism;
* 83% of the victims are frustrated as result of being rejected due to ageism, while 71% are anxious about the future;
* 38% continue to resent the organisation which rejected them;
* 53% believe their age has made them a target for redundancy;
* For 78%, the impact of discrimination on grounds of age has stayed with them, while only 4% say it''s had no impact;
* 13% have experienced workplace ageism under age of 40, while 61% experienced it before they reached 50;
* In some instances, ageism is affecting workers under the age of 35;
* 65% are not confident of securing another job;
* 90% believe ''experience'' is the most valuable skill they could still contribute to a workplace;
* Respondents also believe that ''reliability'' (55%), ''ideas and creativity'' (48%) and ''enthusiasm'' (38%) are their valuable skills;
* For 71%, ageism has made an impact on their mental well-being, while 31% say it has affected their marriage, 62% say it has affected their social life and for 91% it has affected their wealth.

Toni Townsend, one of the founders of Maturity Works, explains: Workplace ageism is now accepted as a major problem. The repercussions on society, however, have been ignored as the victims are rarely given a voice.
Ageism is creating a society where your ''golden years'' are becoming years of frustration, depression, anxiety and resentment. A community of mature workers is being created who are scarred by an experience which stays with
them forever. It seems extraordinary that a large pool of available talent - people who believe they can contribute valuable skills to a workplace - is going to waste.

When you consider how many voters are aged between 45 and 70 - ageism affects a very broad age range - it is confusing why society is not more concerned about this pressing problem.

Comments from respondents:
MaturityWorks asked respondents to give their thoughts on the biggest impact of ageism on society. Comments included:

By paying no regard to an older person''s abilities society simply casts off people like me as being untrainable, inflexible, weak and senile. Whereas the exact reverse is true - younger people don''t have the practical
experience!
Roger Jackson, 55

With the downgrading of pensions and requirement to work longer, the over 50s are being omitted from the marketplace. Recent temporary positions I''ve
held indicate that currently people would rather monitor and report rather than do the job.
Andy Gascoine, 55

Mature people desire to be self-reliant rather than unemployed, idle or given a redundant job because of age discrimination. As the saying goes, ''Age doesn''t matter'' as long as one is capable and can still be productive.
Mature people are more likely to be reliable, trustworthy and remain loyal to their employer.
Remy Tanner, 54

It is denying itself of a generation of very experienced, skilled workers who have a wealth of life and work skills to offer the workplace. They can give inspiration to the younger generation. Some of the trade skills are no
longer taught or given in apprenticeships, but can be learnt and transferred from the older generation.
Ron Webb, 61

The fact that companies are rejecting people at the age of 50 or even younger for people with very little experience is very concerning. The problem is trying to secure a new job equal to your previous post. In many case I have experienced my job application going well until the age question arises. Not feeling wanted when you are still very capable of any job is the worst part of being older.
Allan Jackson, 50