Employment of older people: one in three seniors say they are victims of discrimination

2023-05-16 19:34:59

Less productive, not trained in IT, unsuited to the managerial expectations of new generations… In France, seniors are the subject of negative stereotypes in companies. Result: they are often pushed towards leaving at the end of their career and encounter difficulties in finding a job after 50 years. While the employment of seniors is one of the main issues in the pension reform, a study by the firm AlterNego published on Monday confirms these impressions.

Indeed, of the 10,000 employees surveyed, 52% of those over 60 believe that certain positions are no longer accessible to them, compared to 28% of 45-49 year olds. Nearly a third of seniors believe they have already been the victim of discrimination, compared to 9% of forty-somethings. “Our socio-culture is anchored in an ageism which gives pride of place to youth and which reinforces negative stereotypes towards the most senior”, analyzes in a press release Patrick Scharnitzky, doctor in social psychology and associate director of the firm AlterNego.

Mockery and lack of recognition

This discrimination sometimes takes the form of bad jokes or stereotypes: 25% of over 60s say they have been teased, compared to 12% of 45-49 year olds. These older workers also complain about a lack of recognition from their employers. In fact, only 40% consider that their personal contributions are recognized at their fair value and the opportunities offered to them at the end of their careers are satisfactory for only a quarter of them. 36% of people over 60 also believe that their company overvalues ​​young people.

The study also reveals that this feeling of downgrading varies according to the status of the employee within the company. Indeed, managers seem less affected by this discrimination relating to their age: 65% feel that their skills are recognized, compared to 48% of non-managers. 60% of them consider that management is fair and that their performance is evaluated independently of their age, compared to 51% of employees.

This lack of recognition is all the more difficult to live with since the vast majority of seniors (90%) say they are ready to pass on their knowledge. In addition, 80% of them want to continue training in the years to come. “Boomers proclaim loud and clear that they are motivated and committed, and express the wish to continue working, progressing and training”, assures Patrick Scharnitzky, the author of the study.