Recently we surveyed some of our readers to better understand the reasons why people retire. Many reasons were expected such as when they could afford to retire, health concerns,or job loss. What we didn’t expect was the number of people that mentioned ageism, or age discrimination, as a reason.
We thought we would dig into this a bit further and found some recent studies on the topic of age discrimination.
A 2017 study by the University of South Australia found:
- a third of Australians believe they have experienced age-related discrimination while employed or job-seeking
- many people reported negative assumptions about older workers’ skills, learning abilities and cognition
- others felt under valued and reported limited or no opportunities for promotion or training and difficulty securing work due to their age.
This study was consistent with an earlier studies by the Human Rights Commission which indicated 27% of Australians over age 50 had experienced some form of age discrimination over the previous 2 years. Suggestions from employers that people were “over qualified” was often seen as code for being too old. Some researchers also felt that younger managers might feel intimidated by older workers or have concerns about their ability to take instruction.
One of the most recent studies on this topic, Employing and Retaining Older Workers, was released in April this year by the Australian HR Institute and the Australian Human Rights Commission. This study highlighted that:
- People plan to work longer. The number of people expecting to retire between age 66 and 70 increased from 33% in 2014 to nearly 40% in 2021 and the number expecting to retire between 71-75 increased from 10.6% to 17.4%.
- The number of HR people that see someone aged between age 51 and 55 as an “older” worker has increased from 12.5% to almost 17%.
- Nearly 60% of HR professionals believe older workers have had a difficult time getting or retaining employment during Covid19.
With more older workers wanting to remain in the workforce longer, increasing life expectancies and the number of people over 65 expected to double by 2055, it is likely that age discrimination will be an obstacles many older Australians face.
So have you faced age discrimination in the workplace, either now or in the past. Or perhaps you are seeing it in other areas of your life. We would love to hear your thoughts and comments which you can make below.
PS If you are getting ready to retire and want to check your entitlements you can use our age pension calculator which you will find here.
I am currently 58, up to July 2020 I was managing 40 staff but during COVID the company I worked for was sold and everyone was made redundant. I found a casual position in September 2020 with took a large wage cut and irregular hrs each week but at least I had employment. In 2021 when COVID shutdowns occurred again I was stood down and told work would not be available again until possibly 2022. I have applied for many jobs but haven’t had any success. I feel it is mainly age related and I am now thinking I will not get another job due to the changing employment market and my age. It is very sad as I know I can do the jobs but won’t be given the chance.
I am currently 58, up to July 2020 I was managing 40 staff but during COVID the company I worked for was sold and everyone was made redundant. I found a casual position in September 2020 and took a large wage cut and irregular hrs each week but at least I had employment. In 2021 when COVID shutdowns occurred again I was stood down and told work would not be available again until possibly 2022. I have applied for many jobs but haven’t had any success. I feel it is mainly age related and I am now thinking I will not get another job due to the changing employment market and my age. It is very sad as I know I can do the jobs but won’t be given the chance.
I was told at the age of 59 by very senior recruiting executives that the recruitment of experienced mature people is the number one fear factor of young managers. Most Australian companies have disappeared in the past 30 years and board and managerial incompetence and lack of experience is a deciding factor in their demise. This will accelerate now that they cannot obtain cheap labour from overseas countries.
This is the stigma I mentioned Guy. I fully understand what you’re saying. Some of the feedback I’ve received from my three sons is that the majority of gen Y think boomers and older have had their go and made a mess of the world for them. That it time for the younger ones to fix the world! God, what the hell have we done?????
Planning to work longer doesn’t equate to wanting to work longer. The government have moved the retirement/pension age goal posts some time ago which means many people now are forced to work longer whether the choose to or not and irrespective of whether they are physically or mentally able to.
I went for an ironing job and the first qui was how old are you. We were facing each other, so instead of answering I just said how old are you, which she did not like. She couldn’t even give me details on hours of work or pay rates and to this day the advertisement is still on her shop window!!??
Please delete my surname
Hi Kathleen, this has been removed for you.
Without a doubt I am experiencing age-related discrimination. I am applying for C-suite roles as an EA, roles for which I am eminently qualified. I took a redundancy in 2014 thinking I would move back to the CBD, since I lived nearby. The only role I could get was a contract role with the CEO of the Supreme Court at the time, for which I took a pay-cut. That role went from a three-month contract to a six-month contract, at which time it ceased – not because of my capabilities but because the role had been promised to someone else (who last about a month!). Post that, I was able to move into another part-time role, again taking a pay-cut. I have now been in that role six-and-a-half years. So, nothing to do with my capabilities, it’s all about my age. Three days after starting in the temporary role, I was asked to stay on permanently if his role became permanent, which it subsequently did. Now, six years older and only two years to run on this role, I will be on the scrapheap at 65 and looking for another job. I want to work until I’m 70. I want to do the kind of work I’m used to. I have a great personality, I’m told, I’m efficient, time management is excellent (I have an ability to make time!), managing difficult people is a strength, I’m a great gatekeeper. What’s not to like. No one wants to take a chance.
I actually wrote a submission to the Human Rights Commission on age discrimination.
All these studies – nothing’s changed. The government needs to lead by example. All the changes in the private sector are driven by the public sector and their unionisation. They need to do more than pay lip service to their commitment to reducing the impact of ageism on the older workers in society.
Thank you for sharing your stories, I can associate with some of the comments that were mentioned in your articles.
I am 66 and have been in various roles in my working career and have created various positions in areas where there was a necessity.
What I have found is their assumption that you are going to retire at your “age”.
Another reason you may loose your position that you have created and built up for the company is that “we need to train up a younger person…”
Totally demoralising and then given a sub servant position.
Well I was thrown a bone in OH&S, well the old school work ethic looked this up and then down and said ,”Oh I can make this mine”. It’s my baby now and I will be leaving a legacy in staying safe in the workplace.
Hang in there guys, I know it’s a hard call and you have the years to prove your worth.
I will retire next year and I will walk out with my dignity in tact.
I worked for a company 28 years. Back in 2015 work was not coming into the workshop.i was just standing around trying to find small jobs to make myself occupied the manager would get onto me asking what are you doing, I did tell him I was told to do this job by the leading hand but my responc fell on deaf ears and he kept on at me so I just told him finish up. I just couldn’t stand the tormenting accusation any more 28 years I had been there but was not required any more at the age of 70 years old there was no problem with my work I was a fitter and turner and carried out my work well with lots of expeianc good luck for anyone that is getting OLD. As it’s a big problem in the work place
As I have said I retired some 5 years ago to my astonishment I was told that I cannot receive the age pension because my wife is sill working and I have some savings
This is hard enough just to to find many to survive.we are part of the BRITISH commonwealth. But in the UK you can get the pension, as I get part pension that God I do or I would be on the streets you don’t have to have a lot of brains to stop hopelessness just give the old the pension I rest my case.
My name is Louisa. Fortunately I have never in my career experienced age discrimination. I retired at the age of 81 and worked in the same career for 61 years. No doubt my longevity was due to my excellent skills.
It was announced today that it is the intention of the government to invite 2 million skilled migrants into Australia over the next five years. What does that tell us? That Australia is lacking in skilled workers in many areas of the work force.
So hopefully employers will realise that they need older and more experienced works to remain in the workforce for a longer period of time.
I agree Louisa. I retired at 70 and never experienced age discrimination in my different roles. (Quite a bit of sexism but no ageism)
After 40 years in the industry …… yes, toward the end of my employment as a professional in information technology my ability to secure contracts diminished to the point that, at the age of 59, I made a tree change to a regional area and driving a school bus. One of the main reasons my contract offers diminished was not apparent until after several years of ageism and some of my past clients explaining in confidence that employers regard people of age to be expensive because of their experience. Older professionals were overlooked for younger less expensive ones. No opportunities arose to negotiate pay rates? In a competitive market I would expect the employers to stay open to negotiation but they appear to fear discussing this with the older applicant. There’s a stigma with seniors in the workforce.
The biggest ofender is Australian gov mainly centrelink they treat you like dirt
Dont answer your questions
they have been under paying me for 3 years because itold them what i thort of them
Mike geary
I find the complete opposite any dealings with Centrelink i have had have been excellent I retired a year ago and any face to face or internet contact have been respectful and informative.
I’ve been self-employed in the residential building industry for 38 years until retiring 8 weeks ago. At various times in the last few years I have had some experiences in relation to ‘age or experience’ discrimination, generally, from incidences where contact with younger trades, or foreman type positions were necessary. In the job application process at various times, for jobs with building firms, where I satisfied all criteria plus some, as well as job applications in non-building related, sales oriented in building supplies etc. I felt that rejection, outright admission that a younger person was preferred, or the other good one “we feel you’re overqualified!” was related to age. I think it’s become endemic in society (not just Australia)
After working from age 14 through 60, without a day’s unemployment, I had to reconcile that my (then) current Public Service employer would not be considering career advancement or even inclusion, due to my age and my gender (this is another story in itself!).
This combination of anti-male sentiment (73% of staff were female) and ageism eventually took it’s toll, so I sadly departed to commence running my own business, as my recent experience had shown me I was past my shelf life for serious consideration in applying for other employment.
My new business was going quite well up until Covid. To my pleasant surprise, I was able to secure a temporary position with the ABS during the recent Census, however, at (now) 65 I don’t hold a lot of hope for the future.
To me, the assumption that a number beside my name in some way dictates my worth, particularly to the judgemental Millenials who feel qualified to make these assumptions is particularly galling, not just in the workplace, but in life in general.
Most of the invisible (over 50) generation will know what it’s like to stand at a counter patiently waiting to be served, in deference to the young ones standing behind, or to be totally ignored whilst young staff chat excitedly about their relationships.
I feel their presumption of superiority is a recipe for disaster, I personally have found preceding generations to be a wealth of information, experience, and insight, and the casual dismissal of older workers, indeed older people in general will be to the ultimate detriment of those who think they know better.
After six years in a state BDM role, where I achived budget each month and met all my KPI’S I was called into the office on my 65th Birthday, in May 2020, I was handed a redundancy notice informing me my position & territory I covered was being made redundant, I was paid out not before being forced to use my 12 weeks of annual leave whilst on JOBKEEPER, subsequent efforts to receive an explanation have fallen on deaf ears, a definate feeling of age discrimination.
66 and not out, Then I sustained a work injury {not my fault} 5 months off on W/C ,Boss tells Me not to come back because of Covid 19 , then I went back ,when they were advertising ,{they thought I was retiring}, During this second time I was there ,They made up a new foreman, Well that’s when the trouble started, He fabricated 2 centrifrigal fans that could not be balanced, {PS} He was a Sheetmetal worker not a Boilermaker. These 2 fans took 2 days to make.. I was told by the owner to make 2 more fans, witch I did in 1 day. They were sent out to be balanced , and came back with 6 grams of counterbalance witch is excellent.
I was sacked by the foreman for showing him up THAT IS WRONG FOR OLDER WORKERS…
I have been lucky- still in full time employment age 67. As a NZer I experienced ageism when trying to change jobs in my late 40’s, however not in Australia. I think the industry and type of work are relevant though. I am also lucky to carry my age well with most thinking I am at least 10 years younger.
Late last year after 21years service in a ASX listed Company I was deemed redundant. My role as a Senior Administration Manager was no longer required (COVID-19)? I was 66 at the time hence forced to retire. Redundancy payment was 12 weeks. The role was slightly modified and filled 6 months later. I believe my age was the determining factor.
After our manager reported on the latest departmental restructure, I asked if more reviews were coming. The response was patronising “I realise some older staff have problems coping with change…” I hadn’t thought of 58 as old until then, and when my position got deleted soon after. Funnily, I was made redundant and a younger unqualified person was appointed instead….
I am retired thank god. Used to be an R.N. Just before the virus hit. Was working in a major hospital as a casual at 66 and was subjected to aged abuse ( subtle of course ). Mainly from E.D. staff and 2 lovely creatures from a Nigerian and a Phillipino level 2 in a medical ward. I then decided to go back to agency and was asked to facilitate student E.N.s in nursing homes. Most students were from overseas, virtually no English, some combative and wanting me to sign off on stuff they had never achieved. The Australian students were just as combative and abusive. One walked out of a tutorial shouting at me with abusive language. That is when I decided to retire. I was told that I was doing a younger facilitators job and he was on holidays and they all liked him . He was so good. Apparently he only facilitated in that nursing home even though he was agency.
I am over 60 – worked for 50 years + as a Mechanical Fitter & Turner Recently Sacked on 2 occasions by young management straight out of university because of my Knowledge- on both occasions they couldn’t cope with the fact my work experience showed them up.With union support l was eventually compensated for both wrong full dismissals.l am now retired and pleased l have left a toxic work environment.
Thank you for sharing your stories, I can associate with some of the comments that were mentioned in your articles.
I am 66 and have been in various roles in my working career and have created various positions in areas where there was a necessity.
What I have found is their assumption that you are going to retire at your “age”.
Another reason you may loose your position that you have created and built up for the company is that “we need to train up a younger person…”
Totally demoralising and then given a sub servant position.
Well I was thrown a bone in OH&S, well the old school work ethic looked this up and then down and said ,”Oh I can make this mine”. It’s my baby now and I will be leaving a legacy in staying safe in the workplace.
Hang in there guys, I know it’s a hard call and you have the years to prove your worth.
I will retire next year and I will walk out with my dignity in tact.
I. can associate with many of the discriminatory and negative problems that have been aired.
My dealings with Centrelink over a six month ( nightmarish) and very frustrating period resulted
in being told by a “supervisor”
would I not prefer to be working.
I was 70 years at that time… I am now 75 and still no pension or
Seniors card coming my way.
I need to be contacting retirement essentials to exact my entitlements… no way can I go back to Centrelink…
Here’s hoping
Hi Chris, we’re sorry to hear of your frustrating ordeal with Centrelink but would be happy to review your situation to see what you may be entitled to. We will send you an email separate to this comment with details on how we can assist.