Many mature-age workers feel they are regarded as ”dinosaurs” by their colleagues and bosses and are not valued for their experience and commitment, an Australian study shows.

Despite the need for older workers and the plan to lift the Australian pension age to 67, some mature-age workers believe their workmates cannot wait for them to retire.

The study, by National Seniors Australia, defines mature-age as 50 and over. It found what it calls ”stereotype threat” – people’s belief they are subject to demeaning stereotypes – to be a big problem for some older workers.

”I have been in this field for almost 34 years and have a pretty thick skin but sometimes smart remarks, always stated in a humorous form about age and people being ‘dinosaurs’ can be demoralising,” one worker said. ”Experience is essential in my line of work and we should value rather than denigrate those who have 20-plus years of experience.”

Based on a sample of 1428 mature-age workers and conducted by University of Queensland researchers, the study found 14 per cent felt a high degree of age stereotyping, 44 per cent felt a medium level, and 42 per cent reported a low level. Those doing physical work, such as police officers, perceived the highest levels of age stereotyping.

The lead author, Courtney von Hippel, said overt discrimination was not necessary for mature-age workers to feel judged on the basis of stereotypes.

”Subtle things can happen in the workplace,” Dr von Hippel, a lecturer in psychology, said. ”If an older person doesn’t get a coveted place on a leadership development seminar, they may worry it’s because of their age.”

The chief executive of National Seniors Australia, Michael O’Neill, said workers were increasingly keen to prolong their careers for financial and personal reasons but could confront negative attitudes.

”It’s the loose commentary, not necessarily malicious, that can reinforce the vulnerabilities of mature-age workers,” he said. ”If they aren’t made welcome, it will complicate government policy that’s aimed at retaining them in the workforce.”

The research found those workers who reported the highest levels of age stereotyping were the ones most likely to feel disengaged from work, and contemplate early retirement. Some felt their negative experiences were no longer manageable.

”Sometimes I feel like senior managers cannot wait for me to retire and there’s a feeling of latent pressure as each year passes,” one said.

Yet many were keen to take on new challenges and chafed at being overlooked for training and promotion. ”My organisation needs to realise that people don’t necessarily stop wanting to learn, to grow, to advance their skills just because they are getting older,” a worker said.

The workers wanted their organisations to increase training opportunities and acknowledge the contributions of mature workers and to convey a positive message to younger employees about the value of experience.

Source: The Age

883 total views, 1 today