A new UK study has revealed that age discrimination is rife in the workplace and, apparently, particularly prevalent in the marketing industry.
The study, by UK recruitment firm CV Library, found that it was just as common for young people to be discriminated against as it was the over 55s.
When it came to marketers, some 41.7 per cent admitted that they’d not been taken seriously at work due to their age. Some three-quarters complained they were seen as “too young” and the other 25 per cent said they were “too old”.
Prejudices against younger marketers were based on a lack of experience, with 33.3 per cent of respondents saying they’d been demonised for not having enough work smarts. While at the other end of the spectrum, half of older marketers said they’s been discriminated against for not being agile enough in the office.
Commenting on the study – which admittedly wasn’t solely marketing specific – CV Library’s managing director, Lee Biggins, said: “Diversity is a hot topic at the moment, and it is something that should be celebrated in the workplace. Sadly, there is clearly still a great amount of discrimination amongst those considered to be ‘too old’ or ‘too young’ to work in certain positions. As a nation, we need to address this issue head on, and consider ways in which we can remove these stigmas.
“It’s clear that discrimination around age is not only rife in workplaces, but also during the hiring process. But, while employers may think their pickiness will secure them the very best workers, they’re actually limiting themselves even further.
“Younger, and older, workers are a key part of driving our economy forward and companies should embrace a diverse range of employees in their business,” Biggins said.
