Some companies do little to mask the true reasons for dumping older workers, Ohio study claims.
By Garry Kranz Comments 0 | Recommend 0
Don’t Grow Old: Age bias against U.S. workers peaks as they approach age 50,
and intensifies again as they near retirement, according to a comprehensive
study of verified discrimination claims. The study, conducted by researchers
associated with Ohio State University, says ageism spikes as workers enter their
“prime earning years and their salaries are increasing the most,” says Vincent
Roscigno, one of the study’s authors. Researchers examined nearly 2,200 age
discrimination claims filed with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission from 1988 to
2003. People working in manufacturing, construction and related jobs were most
likely to experience ageism. The study found that firings were the most common
form of age discrimination, involving two-thirds of all complaints filed in
Ohio, followed by on-the-job harassment (reported by 12 percent) and hiring
practices (10 percent). Researchers say the findings also show that companies
have made firing and downsizing decisions against older workers without
determining whether they could still perform the job tasks.
However, this research is at odds with a recent report by Chicago consulting
firm Age Lessons in which nearly one-quarter of workers ages 18 to 34 said they
have been subjected to age discrimination. All told, 93 percent say they have
“witnessed or experienced” ageism but didn’t report it.
Workforce Management contributing editor Garry Kranz is based in Richmond, Virginia. E-mail editors@workforce.com to comment.
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