Bosses are beginning to tackle ageism
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Britain’s bosses are beginning to take ageism in the workplace seriously according to a survey published today. Malcolm Wicks, Age Positive Minister said: “Britain’s employers are increasingly aware of the need to remove ageism from the workplace, but there’s more to be done. Employers can only benefit from age positive policies. The survey shows that older workers bring experience and reliability to the workplace. Younger workers bring enthusiasm and a willingness to try new ideas. Employers need both. Having both helps increase morale, improve productivity and reduce costs. The need to end ageism at work is becoming more urgent. Through the Age Positive campaign we will continue to work to convince employers that ending ageist practices is the only way forward for businesses”.Results show that employers are introducing policies to tackle ageism. Thirty-one percent of employers already have a policy in place and a further 38 percent say they will introduce policies in the future. Sixty-six percent of people surveyed believe their Board or senior managers are committed to eliminating ageism.
The survey was carried out by Cranfield School of Management. Shaun Tyson Professor of Human Resources at Cranfield commented:
"Whilst considerable progress has evidently been made, developing a policy on age discrimination is just the first step. Changing attitudes will take time. Employers who have not yet acted should do so quickly to remove any deep-seated prejudice about age." Despite legislation being three years away employers are already taking action:
- 67 percent are already aware that the Government will introduce legislation outlawing ageism in the workplace by October 2006
- 57 percent of those surveyed confirmed that they avoid using age limits and age related words in job advertisements
- 55 percent do not use Age as a basis for redundancy
- 62 percent of organisations base training purely on skills needs.
Age Positive is the DWP’s campaign to promote age diversity in employment and the survey ‘This Age in the Workplace’ was carried out by Cranfield School of Management on its behalf. The full results are published today in a special report from the Recruitment Confidence Index.
Notes for Editors
- The Recruitment Confidence Index is a quarterly survey of public and private sector employers that measures expected changes in recruitment activity and business conditions during the next six months. It also looks at recruitment methods, skills shortages, staff turnover and pay rates. The RCI was set up three years ago by Cranfield School of Management and the Daily Telegraph and is currently produced in association with Personnel Today.
- For more information on Age Positive see the website at www.agepositive.gov.uk
- For a copy of the voluntary code of practice on age in the workplace ‘Age Diversity at Work – A practical Guide for Business’ contact 08457 330 360.
- The full report is available free of charge to the press, contact Fiona Leslie, Press and PR Officer, Cranfield School of Management on 01234 754348 or e-mail fiona.leslie@cranfield.ac.uk
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