To think diversity and inclusion in employment rarely includes age

[teneastereggs]

Just that really. I've noticed that there's a lot more emphasis on diversity, which is great, but then for example even in the photos of staff they're all young. It doesn't feel to me as if diversity in workplaces has extended to age yet. AIBU?

I agree. That seems to be what @2023a is saying.

Yet many are. Finance and tech are doing better than my sector with return to work programmes. Often more beneficial for women.

They've recognised the issue and have acted on it.

I think you should reread this exchange before you start asking other people if they’re hard of thinking. 😂

Nope. Most companies in the U.K. (the country we’re discussing and for which numerous people have already provided stats and data) haven’t and aren’t. Because it isn’t an issue.

If you have evidence that disproves this, please share it.

So, we have people who:

• Flat out ignore stats and data.
• Brand opposing views as ‘irrelevant’, but consider views that agree with them to be proof of their point.
• Consider any report found on Google to be definitive ‘proof’.
• Do not understand the difference between self reporting and statistical data.
• Do not understand the difference between stating that D&I is not required to engage a demographic that isn’t underrepresented (this is fact) and saying that ageism in the workplace doesn’t exist (nobody is saying that) or that it doesn’t unduly impact women (nobody is saying that, either).

The reason you’re having issues getting jobs may have nothing to do with your age. I wouldn’t hire anyone who had this much trouble with linear thought.

Meh I’m glad all companies aren’t you lot. No issues here.

Op for some reason people are put out by your op no idea why on this thread specifically, but take heart the majority voted with you.

Do not understand the difference between stating that D&I is not required to engage a demographic that isn’t underrepresented (this is fact) and saying that ageism in the workplace doesn’t exist (nobody is saying that) or that it doesn’t unduly impact women (nobody is saying that, either).

So do you agree ageism in the workplace exists, and that it unduly impacts women?

Do you think that older people and or older women are, or are not, underrepresented in the workplace?

Because you are not being very clear and seem to be conflating different points. (Could be me - I had wine 🍷)

This. I’ve been applying for jobs I’m qualified and highly experienced in and not getting anywhere. When I look at who they employ afterwards it’s all 20-30 year olds.

Maybe your salary expectations are beyond what they are willing to pay.

Maybe your salary expectations are beyond what they are willing to pay.

Yet you have zero evidence of this.

Bizarre the ageism deniers on the thread. Can only assume you're not old enough to have experienced it yet.

Pretty much all marketing is aimed at the young. Because they're more susceptible to advertising. You show an advert for becoming a teacher full of enthusiastic young teachers and school kids and university students might think "wow, being a teacher looks cool, that's what I want to do". You show an advert for becoming teacher full of older teachers, and kids and university students think "teaching is for old people" and older people think "what a load of bollocks this advert is, that's not reality".

You have provided zero evidence of any of your claims. Just ‘some commenters agree with me’. That’s literally all you’ve got.

You have provided zero evidence of any of your claims. Just ‘some commenters agree with me’. That’s literally all you’ve got.

Ignoring the articles MarshaBradyo has posted then. I just took a look myself:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220118-cv-ageism-can-you-be-the-wrong-age-for-a-job

So do you agree ageism in the workplace exists, and that it unduly impacts women?

Yup. Nobody disagreed with that.

Do you think that older people and or older women are, or are not, underrepresented in the workplace?

Older people are not. Nothing vague about it. You have been provided with the data on this. You don’t want to look at it.

I’m not conflating points. If you think I am, do please show me where I have done so.

And you’re ignoring the multiple comments explaining the difference between statistical data and self reporting and opinion pieces.

Op I’m not sure if any of the stats below are sex segregated but men may not need the same initiatives as women.

Hence many companies starting up return to work programmes which tend to try and attract older women back to the workforce after a long break.

People all randomly having the same opinion that suddenly at 50 it's much harder to get a job. Okay.

MarshaBradyo

Thanks yes women taking time out of the workplace is a factor. There's also the negative perceptions of older women as less capable (compared to men of the same age or to younger women.)

That’s not the case though, I that self-response study nearly as many young people felt that had been discriminated against due to their age.

The better companies are aware of this issue and try to address it

I happen to be in a sector which is younger and doesn’t really do anything on age, despite having figures on how many males reach the top v women - which is a shame.

It’s fairly equal at the start though. Thinking back some of the ageism has been woeful and this is reflected in very low numbers sticking around or being hired

Older people are not under-represented in the workplace. I do however think that the older people who have jobs have usually had them for a while and were hired when they were younger, then stayed put. The problem is when older people are trying to get hired for new jobs - that’s when ageism comes in.

No matter what, if you're 60+ and looking for a basic job in a low income area - once they suss how old you are, bottom of the pile of applicants - you only have a chance if everyone else is unsuitable.

Excellent thread.

I'm a female senior manager and currently drafting our EDI policy. I myself as an older person did not consider this fully.

Thanks. I shall take this on board.

I found it difficult to get a job in my 50s. When I was successful the person recruiting was a woman older than me.

Also remember that in the 70s there were fewer people went to university. When I started work all my young colleagues were straight from school like me. Bright people who never considered uni as a possibility. That job now requires a degree for entry level but I doubt the calibre of recruits is any higher.

@AnuSTart There are many ways to work out someone's age even if DOB is omitted. Dates of exams, school history, full job history.

That’s great