Older Workers are Being Impacted by Ageism in the Workplace

Originally appeared in HeadTopics on 9th September 2021

'Shut out, forced out & overlooked' Ageism concerns as over 55s feel ‘forced to retire’

OLDER workers are being impacted by ageism in the workplace, which has drastically impacted their prospects and comfort, a study has shown.

rending“This could perhaps be an unintended consequence of focusing exclusively on other protected diversity and inclusion characteristics.“HR leaders and CEOs must address this issue urgently, realising the talent and ambitions of older people - bringing age bias in the workplace to an end.”

Ms Simpson has said the under 55 working age population is set to shrink by approximately 20 percent by 2050 in western countries.When coupled with the impact of the pandemic, there could be a significant shortfall observed in the workplace.Despite this, however, there is an ageing population, and “forward-thinking” firms have been encouraged to obliterate ageism to ensure the value of older workers both now and in the future.

Challenges with ageism were faced by Siobhan Daniels, a 62-year-old woman originally from Leeds, Yorkshire, who is now retired.Ageism: Ms Daniels described her experiences with age-discrimination(Image: Siobhan Daniels)'Very worrying': Furlough crisis set to hit older workers headtopics.com.

Ms Daniels worked for 30 years as a presenter, reporter and producer, but stated she felt bullied at work and faced ageism in her fifties.She said: “I was sidelined when it came to big projects that I had previously been involved in and the work was given to far younger more inexperienced members of staff, who I then had to guide through what they were doing.

“I was treated with disrespect in news meetings by my boss in front of younger members of staff, who then in turn behaved badly towards me to court favour with the bosses. It was a recognised subtle way of forcing older women out of the workforce.“At that time I was also going through the menopause and that left me with no fight in me to challenge what was happening. When I look back I am angry that I let my bosses treat me the way they did. I felt suicidal at one point and had to take time off with stress.

“That is why I am fighting now to make sure no other women are made to feel the way I felt at work. I left before I should have because I could no longer bear the way I was being treated.”Ms Daniels is now retired, having sold her flat and most of her possessions, and purchasing a motorhome where she now travels Great Britain, championing positive ageing and challenging ageist stereotypes through her blog.