Abstract
The challenges presented by the ageing population have driven the Extended Working Lives (EWL) agenda to become an important policy goal. Despite the implementation of the Equality Act 2010, in the UK millions of older workers leave the workforce each year because of an unsupportive work environment attributed in part to ageist practices and perceptions. This presentation uses the findings from 25 interviews with older workers to explore the role of ageism in the decision-making processes of older workers when considering their future. These findings identify two interlinked categories: Practicalities and Perceptions. Practicalities include events within the workplace that led to feelings of separation from younger peers, such as development opportunities, social interaction, and digitisation. Perceptions refers to older workers’ internalised expectations of themselves and their abilities which our findings suggest do not align with the reality for older workers, thus contributing to internalised ageism. Although the need to target stereotypical attitudes towards older workers was highlighted as an age barrier to employment before the turn of the century in the UK, with the emergence of the EWL, Active Ageing and Fuller Working Lives Agendas changing the policy context around older workers, this research suggests that the same stereotypes continue to pervade older worker’s experiences both externally from policy and practice and internally in the form of self-perceptions. A life course approach to policy that promotes the contribution of workers of all ages is needed to improve the working environment and to challenge ageist stereotypes in a meaningful way.
Presenters
Rachel CrossdaleThe University of Sheffield, United Kingdom Alan Walker
Liam Foster
Senior Lecturer in Social Policy and Social Work, Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Working Lives, Ageist Practices, UK
