What You Need to Know About Age Discrimination

What You Need to Know About Age Discrimination

In the Best Money Moves Roundup, we run down the latest news on unemployment, age discrimination, hiring tech and retention.

The July jobs report from the Labor Department shows that unemployment has dropped to 3.9 percent. Employers will need to develop new strategies to build successful workforces with unemployment is at its lowest rate since 2000.

The latest study from AARP gives employers some insight into a key demographic – older workers. AARP found that most experienced employees enjoy or feel useful doing their work, but more than 60 percent of them have witnessed or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. Over 40 percent of older job seekers are still asked for age-related information from potential employers.

Older employees are talented, tested and want to stay in the workforce. Employers who value experienced workers might have the advantage in today’s increasingly competitive labor market.

How to Stay Competitive

What We’re Reading

New Tech Improves Hiring Practices. Several new platforms help employers eliminate hiring bias and connect employers with quality hires for their industry. What are the apps and how do they work?

Avoid Turnover Disasters. Turnover can cost 6 to 9 months’ of an employee’s salary, and coupled with low unemployment it could take even longer to find a valuable replacement. Try these 7 helpful tips to improve retention.

Find the Right Talent. It’s no secret that the way people hunt for jobs has changed and it’s critical to get on potential candidates’ radars. Use these 10 strategies to reach job seekers in the digital age.

Healthcare Expenses for Emergencies. A supplemental health program that aims to speed up the payment of unforeseen medical claims can help the 40 percent of Americans that can’t afford an unexpected expense of $400. How does it work?

Implicit Bias Workshops Don’t Solve the Problem. Implicit bias isn’t something that can be fixed with one workshop, it’s something that requires continued awareness. What that looks like.

Soft Skills Your Employees Need. Competition can be good for morale, but empathy can be even better. Learn how to spot emotional intelligence and promote empathy in leadership.

What Can You Do to Stop Age Discrimination in the Workplace?

What Can You Do to Stop Age Discrimination in the Workplace?

Older employees offer immense talents but often face age discrimination and high unemployment rates. Here’s how employers can help.

The July jobs report from the Labor Department shows that unemployment has dropped to 3.9 percent. Employers will need to develop new strategies to build successful workforces with unemployment is at its lowest rate since 2000.

The latest study from AARP gives employers some insight into a key demographic – older workers. AARP found that most experienced employees enjoy or feel useful doing their work, but more than 60 percent of them have witnessed or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. Over 40 percent of older job seekers are still asked for age-related information from potential employers.

Older employees are talented, tested and want to stay in the workforce. Employers who value experienced workers might have the advantage in today’s increasingly competitive labor market.

“With rich work histories, varied experiences and expertise, older workers want to work, they’re ready to work, and they need to work,” said AARP Vice President of Financial Resilience Susan Weinstock. “More employers are looking for qualified candidates and experienced workers should have the opportunity to be judged on their merits, rather than their age.”

The majority of experienced workers strongly support strengthening age discrimination laws, but until those laws are passed and implemented employers can help by addressing age discrimination within their own organizations.

If HR hasn’t received a complaint about age discrimination that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Less than five percent of older employees make a formal complaint to a supervisor, HR representative, another organization or a government agency.  

Commit to developing diverse, high-performing organizations by leveraging workers of all ages and join 650 employers who are doing the same by signing AARP’s Employer Pledge. Review and refine hiring practices so potential applicants can be confident their age won’t be the deciding factor in whether or not they get the job. Establish a policy against age discrimination in the workplace for the quarter of older workers who report being subjected to negative comments about their age from a boss or co-worker.

More than 90 percent of workers see age discrimination as somewhat or very common. It’s up to employers to tackle this issue directly until legislature catches up with appropriate age discrimination policies. Those employers that are up to the task will be in the best shape to face off with the lowest unemployment since the turn of the century.