Employers
have been criticised by a government minister for doing too little to eradicate
workplace ageism – which he describes as “just as devastating as racial or
sexual discrimination".
Pensions
minister Malcolm Wicks said the problem of age discrimination was growing
despite skills shortages and a shrinking working population.
He
said HR professionals should be doing more to break down the barriers facing
older workers and helping to dispel some of the negative attitudes.
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However,
he dismissed calls for more financial incentives, such as tax breaks for
employees and businesses, when working beyond the traditional retirement age.