Results from the Westpac Women Of Influence Report have found nearly half of Gen Y’s feel their age is a barrier to moving up the career ladder.
The report surveyed nearly 1,200 women and more than 500 men, who earned over $85,000 a year and in senior leadership positions with responsibility for business performance or managing a team.
The report also found 96 per cent of female leaders (18-34) believed sex and age discrimination was an issue.
The report found that 41 per cent believe they are more likely to experience discrimination because of their age through low pay, or missing out on pay rises (27 per cent). One in three respondents said they were given fewer training opportunities because of their age.
“It suggests that there is a problem,” Ainslie Van Onselen, Westpac’s head of inclusion and diversity, said of the results. “I was really surprised by the research.”