To ask if you think we are ever going to get a handle on ageism in the workplace

[Desolate1]

and what we can do to help things improve.

We are going to work until we are properly old - yet we have to find jobs in more often than not ageist workplaces.

It’s a worry.

Ageist in what way?

There are people 60+ where I work. There is currently no retirement age. My state pension age is 68
What do you mean ?

The older folks will outnumber the younger folks, they're the ones who will be discriminated against

In that it is harder to get a job in a lot of industries the older you are.

Ie. interviewing for jobs at 50 is not as easy as it is at 30. Generalisation yes, but seems to be the anecdotal experience of a lot of people.

Not just anecdotal, research shows that ageism is a real factor, particularly for women.
I have noticed it. About 10 years ago I found it easy to get jobs at interviews. Now in my mid 50s it is getting harder. I find I only get offered jobs if I am interviewed by older people. Younger people seem to just discount me. Most interviewers according to research, make their mind up about a candidate in the first few minutes of an interview.

I absolutely second this. Once you're in your 50's jobs that were easily obtained in your 30'a are v hard to obtain. Ageism in the workplace is very real

I’m early 60s came back to the UK and don’t get my pension till I am 66. Sent in my cv for many jobs (PA) got lots of interviews and no job offers. Everyone always says they are not ageist but they are!!

It can work the other way though - if you employ women in their 50s, they are a lot less likely to then go off on a years maternity leave 3 times in the next 5 years.........

I think it depends what skills, experience, flexibility, hours you can work, commute that you can offer

I work shifts & flex my shifts to help others in the team.

Some people only want x job with y hours, therefore possibly reducing their employment opportunities ?

That’s my experience @Backforgood.

I must be extremely lucky then because I've never experienced any ageism as a woman in my 50s.

I've certainly never felt that anyone thought I was too old to do my job, or was incompetent in any way. I am at a level of seniority where I feel my abilities and experience are respected.

There's a difference though, between already being at a level of seniority and well respected, in the same company / industry for years, and interviewing for a new job. In the first example, you probably have MORE respect - in the second, are often made to feel inferior, invisible and left on the scrapheap. Particularly women.

makemynight That rarely applies to women in their 50s who are less likely to have the childcare demands that younger women often have. It is simply ageism.

Well seeing as my generation are likely to have to work to 70 they need to get a bloody grip on it.

With a retirement age of 65+ nobody should feel that they are unemployable in their 50s !
I got made redundant, I was fortunate to get another job
What about self employment ?
Perhaps it's an attitude issue ?