Work-Related Age Bias Hits Home for Boomers - AARP

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Some argue that the Great Recession is in the rear-view mirror. That?s not the case if you?re a layoff victim over a certain age and if you?ve been unemployed for nearly a year ? or longer.

Age bias is a concern for around two-thirds of workers over 45, as reported recently in The New York Times Bucks Blog and by MarketWatch.com. In the MarketWatch Working Retirement column, Andrea Coombes? poses an interesting question: are some boomers themselves are guilty of age bias? If you want to get a sense of how some experienced workers feel about age bias, go to those links and and read the comments (and please weigh in with comments here as well).

The stories cite figures from Staying Ahead of the Curve 2013: AARP?s Multicultural Work and Career Study. The study, conducted previously in 2002 and in 2007, paints a revealing picture of workers ages 45-74:?their reasons for working, perceived job security, differential treatment received because of age, their ideal work scenario, the challenges they face, their plans for retirement, and more. Also worth a look: an Infographic on the the ?new normal? for experienced workers, and a personal perspective on age bias against the long-term unemployed via this Inside E Street clip.

There is some good news: more awareness around the issues of age discrimination, and greater awareness on the part of some employers about the value of hiring and retaining older workers.

The new co-sponsor for the?Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Award?has some pull in executive suites when it comes to charting employment policies. AARP and SHRM, the?Society for Human Resource Management, will announce the top 50 award winners at SHRM?s annual conference in June (and we?re guessing that the recruiters at these companies will see an influx of applicants.

Also of note is Work Reimagined, which features job listings from?employers?who have signed a pledge to level the playing field for experienced workers, as well as a LinkedIn group.

Click to view detailed Infographic on the ?new normal? for experienced workers.

Of course, efforts like these may be small comfort to laid-off workers over age 55 who remain unemployed longer ? about 51 weeks on average ? compared to 37 weeks for younger workers. (See resources to help job-hunters below.)

So, what will it take to end age bias? What will help ease the worry and address the realities of age discrimination in the workplace? Many people think it will take a more robust economic recovery.

?A stronger labor market where there is a greater demand for workers of all ages and experience levels will make a difference,? says Jean Setzfand, AARP?s vice president of financial security. Meanwhile, she has this advice for experienced workers navigating the job market.

For the sake of job seekers of all ages, let?s hope that unemployment will continue to fall and that payrolls will continue to rise ? and that more employers will aspire to be on the Best Employers for Workers Over 50 list.

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Looking for a job or contemplating ?what?s next?? Visit www.aarp.org/work?for?job-hunting?resources and encore career advice; participate in a free job-hunting webinar May 28 (playback option available); get information to help you start or grow a small business; check out WorkReimagined.org.

Employers: See the?Workforce Assessment Tool?co-sponsored by AARP and?SHRM, and learn about our Best Employers for Workers Over 50 program and the Work Reimagined pledge program.

Follow?@AARPMoney / Work?on Twitter for more on career and workplace issues.

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Also of Interest

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See the?AARP home page?for deals, savings tips, trivia and more

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Tagged: age bias, best employers, Deb Silverberg, employment, older workers, SHRM, Staying Ahead of the Curve Study, Work Reimagined??? Share via: Facebook

Source: http://blog.aarp.org/2013/05/11/boomers-work-related-age-bias-resources-for-50-jobless-recareering/

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