Tackling Age Discrimination in the Workforce: A Closer Look
Age discrimination in the workforce is a tale as old as time. Since before the first arrow was notched in the Sumer-Elam war, people of working age have been called to labour—and, just as long, they’ve been told they’re too old.
According to research conducted by the Centre for Aging Better, half of brits agree that we live in a society that undervalues its most senior members. The following findings suggest that this sentiment carries more truth than the other half of brits are willing to admit:
- 22% of people in their 50s and 34% of those over 60 reported experiencing age discrimination when trying to re-enter the workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Half of brits aged 55 + experienced age discrimination in the last year.
- 37% of Age discrimination happens in the workplace.
- There are 460,000 people aged 50 to 64 that are willing but unable to find work.
Given that the golden jubilee is increasingly, and exponentially, claiming a larger proportion of the population; there’s never been a more apt time to address the issue of age discrimination. Research in Caterer.com’s recent Hospitality Hiring Insider shows that the hospitality industry is leading the charge in shifting perceptions around hiring experience over youth, with those over 50 accounting for a whopping 34% of the sector's staff.
While we often think of the service industry as a stopgap for younger people, with limited and competitive long-term career opportunities, several factors make jobs in hospitality an appealing option to over 50’s. Key reasons cited include personal fulfillment—making people happy and filling free time, supplementing pension payments, maintaining a social community, and staying active.
Companies that recognize the value of older workers are already enjoying the benefits. Business leaders are noticing an improved customer experience due to the skills and experience these team members bring, particularly in problem-solving, business knowledge, and conflict management, where they often outperform their younger counterparts.
Increasingly, companies in the hospitality sector and beyond are adopting policies to promote an age-diverse workforce. With 62% of UK companies reporting a skills shortage in 2024, it’s more important than ever that we continue this trajectory and tap into a broader range of talent pools.
At Conifer, we are proud champions of diversity and inclusion. Our talented hospitality professionals come from diverse cultural backgrounds, and each bring unique skills and perspectives - regardless of how many trips they’ve made around the sun.
Get in touch today to learn how your business can benefit from a diversified workforce.