A new report details the extent of ageism in the global workforce:
- Workers aged 45 and up often are seen as weaker job candidates than their younger counterparts.
- Hiring managers say that only 17% of middle-aged candidates are “application-ready” and just 18% have relevant skills or experience.
- According to hiring managers, only 15% of older job candidates have the right fit with company culture.
- 71% of current job seekers over age 45 see their age as a major obstacle.
Experts suggest several strategies to address ageism, including:
- Improving national and global employment statistic tracking and reporting to reflect narrower age brackets that better address the unique issues the 45-plus population faces.
- Linking training programs directly to employment opportunities and providing stipends to support older workers.
- Changing hiring practices to suppress potential age biases and better assess the potential of older workers.
- Make it easier to fill new roles with existing workers age 45 and older, instead of relying on new hires.
