Age discrimination in the workplace on the rise

One of the unfortunate negative consequences of the increase in workplace diversity in the US has always been the possibility of an increase in discrimination in the workplace. And as the workplace becomes more multigenerational, older workers in particular need to be vigilant of unfair treatment or discrimination because of age in their workplaces.

According to a recent nationwide survey by Kelly Services and CareerBuilder.com, 21 percent of employees age 50 and older reported they have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment in the workplace. More than one third of respondents said they experienced this type of treatment at least once a week.

By themselves these statistics are alarming, but the survey also found that of respondents who reported the discrimination or unfair treatment to their employers, a staggering 63 percent said the offender was not held accountable for their actions.

Older workers who said they had experienced discrimination were also asked why they continued to work for their discriminating employers. Sixty seven percent said they could not afford to quit, and 52 percent of older workers stuck around because they felt that they would run into the same unfair treatment and discrimination at another company.

Considering the fact that the US is in a labor shortage, the results of this study are particularly disturbing, as one would expect that employers would show respect to all of their employees and reject discrimination or unfair treatment of any kind.

But if the results of this study are a representative sample, then it is clear that age discrimination continues to be a large problem in US companies. Older workers need to be aware of the types of discrimination they may experience, their legal rights, and the remedies available to them.

While some layoffs and firings of older workers may have their root in age discrimination, the most common types of discrimination are usually not so pronounced. Many employers understand the age discrimination laws and do their best to get around them in order to rid themselves of an older employee who costs them more than a replacement younger employee.

The most common types of discrimination and unfair treatment (as outlined by the study) against older workers were:

• Not being taken seriously
• Not receiving credit for their hard work
• Being overlooked for promotions
• Having their ideas and input generally ignored
• Co-workers talking behind their back and/or making derogatory comments to them or in front of them
• Not being given the same treatment as other workers

Some shortsighted employers may fail to see the valuable contributions that older workers bring to the workplace, and older workers must constantly be vigilant so that they do not fall victim to age discrimination.