Negative perceptions of people in their 50s and 60s remain 'worryingly high' in the workplace, a new study has found.
A poll of more than 2,000 British adults found that a 'significant' proportion of the population believe that middle-aged people cannot learn new skills and struggle to use technology.
One in four people think it doesn't make “business” to hire someone over 50 because they will be a slow worker and unable to adapt, the Center for Aging Better Research.
A third of the British public think people become less competent using technology as they get older, while 22 percent think it is a waste of resources to provide in-job training to someone over 50.
These “ageist myths” are most likely to be believed by men and younger people, as well as college-educated bosses who are most likely to hire people in their 50s and 60s, the study found.
The 'Age Without Limits' campaign survey also found pronounced differences in the views of men and women, including that 37 percent of men believe people become less competent with technology as they age, compared to 27 percent of women.
People ages 18 to 24 are twelve times more likely than someone age 65 and older to think it doesn't make sense to hire an older worker, by 48 percent to 4 percent.
And those with the highest level qualifications – including degrees and doctorates – are more likely to hold 'age assumptions' about older workers than those with lower levels of education. People with a Level 4 qualification are more than twice as likely to say it is a waste of resources to provide in-job training to an employee over the age of 50, the research found.
A poll of more than 2,000 British adults found a 'significant' proportion of the population believe middle-aged people cannot learn new skills and struggle to use technology
One in four people think it doesn't make “business” to hire someone over 50 because they will be a slow worker and unable to adapt, the Center on Aging Better Research found
A third of the British public think people become less competent using technology as they get older, while 22 percent think it is a waste of resources to provide job training to someone over 50 in their 50s
Dr. Carole Easton, chief executive at the Center for Aging Better, said: 'The proportion of people who recognize the value and benefits of employing people in their 50s and 60s is not worryingly high, but unfortunately not surprising either.
'It is so disheartening that these attitudes persist when older workers have such potential to address skills shortages, help businesses thrive and grow our national economy.
'It is also a concern that the prevalence of ageist attitudes is higher among people with the highest educational qualifications who are most likely to make decisions about hiring, promoting and developing employees who are in their 50s and 60s.
'No wonder older workers are less likely to receive on-the-job training, are more likely to be made redundant and experience more difficulty finding work.'
