A new poll, commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better, reveals the scale of ageism in the workplace and demonstrates the urgent need for action. It shows that nearly half (45%) of UK adults aged 50+ feel employers view them more negatively than younger colleagues or job applicants.
More than a fifth (21%) indicated that since turning 50, they had regularly experienced ageist attitudes in the workplace or when applying for roles, a YouGov survey of 2,000 British adults aged 50 and over conducted this month reveals.
And while approximately two thirds (64%) of UK adults 50+ agreed they would feel comfortable in reporting ageist behaviour in the workplace, less than half (42%) said they would be confident any complaint would be taken seriously.
The newly launched pledge requires employers to commit to taking one action a year to improve the recruitment, retention and development of older workers.
Under the initiative, employers will also identify a senior sponsor for age-inclusion within their workforce and ensure that age is specifically named within their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies.