Age discrimination: Should it be Discussed More?
Age discrimination is something that plays a big part in people’s lives, and it is a very difficult situation for the victims of it. Whether the case is of an older person (usually over 50) unable to get work because of companies employing a less-able but younger person to do the work, or having a younger employee promoted over an older one, it leaves the person feeling hurt and marginalised.
Despite laws against it, most companies are more inclined to employ younger candidates over the older ones because of the belief that they will be more dedicated to stay at their job. There is also a case that at some jobs, people do not want to employ people fresh out of University or School, because they feel that they are less capable and mature. Even when jobs and promotions have been secured, there are still issues in the amount you get paid. This is a big problem in many people’s lives, and so the question is - should more action be taken against it?
Sadly, it is estimated that only 1 in 3 people report cases of age discrimination yet 62% of people feel as if they have missed out on a job because of their age. Perhaps the fact that not all cases are reported is because people are afraid of the consequences, or that they simply don’t even realise that are a victim themselves. Age discrimination is something that should be discussed more, and encouraged to report. Since sexual harassment became a big talking point on the news, awareness has increased and more cases have been reported, therefore taking a step in the right direction. Due to this, I feel that the more publicity behind a topic, the more open we become to different perspectives and hopefully, change.
However sadly age discrimination does not seem to be decreasing and if anything, it is becoming a more serious issue. However, in the next couple of years companies will have to change their attitudes towards age if they wish to succeed. Although age discrimination is seen as “okay in the workplace”, the population of people over 50 is a substantial amount of the world’s population, so companies are going to have to vary the age of their employees in the next few years if they want to fight age discrimination and ultimately, work towards total inclusion.