Ageism at workplace
Ageism has a negative impact on health, social isolation, and premature death, and it costs the economy billions of dollars: The report urges immediate action to put effective anti-ageing strategies in place
The WHO, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report calls for immediate action to combat ageism as well as improved measurement and reporting to expose ageism for what it is: an insidious scourge on society. Ageism is defined as prejudice and discrimination against people based on their age.
Ageism has marginalised a talent pool that offers enormous value to the workplace, much in the same way that other forms of discrimination have undermined the full potential of enterprises and communities. Nonetheless, despite its persistence, ageism is frequently dismissed as "not important enough" by many people.
So, what can be done to combat ageism in the workplace?
“Loneliness is one of the most common causes of geriatric depression. When I talk to my geriatric patients, it's startling to learn that they are lonely despite being employed and married. After further discussion, I learned that they don't have a social life despite going to work every day because they feel isolated by the work community and made to feel singled out solely because of their age, whereas the younger colleagues get along well with each other,” Dr Charan Teja Koganti, neuropsychiatrist at KIMS and associate professor at VRK Medical College .
“Another issue I see is that many of them lost their jobs during the pandemic, and they were forced to take jobs below their degree and experience because it was assumed that older adults did not have the same skill / learning capabilities as younger employees. Few studies have found that experiencing everyday ageism in the form of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping that older adults face on a daily basis is associated with an increased risk of poor physical health, chronic conditions, and depression symptoms,” says Dr Charan Teja Koganti.
Assumption
With India having one of the youngest workforces and the birth of many startups, it is assumed that younger people are easier to mould, whereas older people are rigid and inflexible.
"The only community where we see reverse ageism is in our medical community, where employers and patients believe that older, more experienced doctors treat better. As a result, ageism can be harmful to people at both ends of the age spectrum. "Embracing age diversity and understanding that everyone can bring something to the table is critical for protecting one's emotional/physical/mental/social well-being," adds Dr. Charan.
Fighting Ageism
The most effective way to combat prejudice is and has always been to rely on strong, systematic solutions.
•Be More Involved
Displaying images of elderly people on your "About Us" page and other company visuals will demonstrate that your workplace is inclusive and does not discriminate or favour one age group over another.
•Instructional Sessions
All employees, regardless of age or position in the workplace hierarchy, should have access to training and development opportunities if they are interested in learning and expanding their skill sets.
•Hiring Procedure
Remember to include a short paragraph in your job posting ads assuring potential candidates that they will not be discriminated against because of their age, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
•Promotions vs. New Hires
Hiring an elderly person and expecting them to stay in the same position with little opportunity for advancement is a form of false progress.
Giving well-deserved promotions to the best and brightest, regardless of age, is an important step towards achieving an age-inclusive workplace.
•Plans for Retirement
A well-thought-out retirement plan is an excellent way to demonstrate to your employees that you want them to stay with you in the long run.
* Health Insurance Plans
Many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are hesitant to hire ageing workers due to the possibility of rising health-care costs.
This is why providing a solid, dependable healthcare plan is an excellent way to differentiate yourself.
•Downsizing and Resignation Procedures
To avoid ageism in the workplace and adding to the general unease that many ageing workers feel, it's important to understand the type of behaviour that leads to being laid off.
It is also critical to demonstrate clarity.
Make it clear during seminars, company training, and onboarding sessions that such situations have processes and protocols in place so that all of your hardworking employees feel safe.
Disclaimer: Welthi.com does not guarantee any specific results as a result of the procedures mentioned here, and the results may vary from person to person.
