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Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
2018 EEOC Report Highlights Age Discrimination in the Workplace
The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) has ensured equal opportunity for older workers (age 40 and over) since its June, 1968 enactment. To commemorate the ADEA’s fiftieth anniversary, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published a June, 2018 report examining the current state of age discrimination and older workers in the United States (the Report). Although the Report acknowledged that attitudes towards older workers has improved somewhat over the past 50 years, more must be done to deter age discrimination.
For example, “more than 6 in 10 workers age 45 and older say they have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace.” Also, “more than 3 of 4 older workers said their age was an obstacle to find a job.” In the technology industry more than 40 percent of older workers said that their skills are under observation because of their advanced ages and they are afraid they will lose their jobs.
To prevent unlawful age discrimination, the Report recommends:
Age diversity. Prevention of biases starts with recruitment and hiring practices. The Report shows that age diversity improves all employees’ performance and lowers employee turnover in general and employers should focus on attracting and hiring a multigenerational workforce.
Recruitment and hiring strategies. Employment applications must not include the date of birth or other questions that identify the applicant’s age. Interviewers must also be trained to use age-neutral language to avoid unfounded assumptions of older workers (e.g., their presumed “high cost” or “shorter-term” employment).
Retention strategies. The Report concludes that “workers age 50 and older have the highest levels of engagement in the workplace,” which increases employee productivity. The Report also states a workforce with mixed-age and reverse-age mentoring can increase production and overall job satisfaction.
After reviewing this Report, employers should periodically update their practices and policies and train management to ensure compliance with all current federal and state legal standards.
See also:
July 6, 2018
If you are an employer facing possible litigation, or have an employee issue on which you need immediate guidance, call us to set up a consultation, or submit your message.
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