The threshold at which staff are regarded as ‘over the hill’ seems to be
getting lower, with workers as young as 35 now complaining of ageism in the
workplace.
Around 79 per cent of employees between the ages of 34 and 67 said they had
been victims of age discrimination, with 71 per cent anxious about their
future.
The survey of 150 people by Maturity Works, a web recruitment service for
older people, shows that 83 per cent of respondents believe they have been turned
down for a job because of their age.
More than 70 per cent of those rejected claim the experience damaged their
mental well being.
More than half the respondents felt their age made them a target for
redundancy, and it has sparked concern among a further 65 per cent about
securing a job in the future.
Toni Townsend, founder of Maturity Works, said the attitude of employers was
confusing at a time when the labour market is so tight.
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"Workplace ageism is now accepted as a major problem. It is creating a
society where people’s ‘golden years’ are becoming years of depression, anxiety
and resentment.
"It seems extraordinary that a large pool of available talent – who
believe they can contribute valuable skills to a workplace – is going to
waste," she said.
