Chris Farrell: Ageism shouldn’t prevent retirement-age people from working
Chris Farrell: Ageism shouldn't prevent retirement-age people from working Star Tribune
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Age Discrimination in the Workplace
Introduction
Among the pernicious stereotypes about older employees is the snark they can’t learn new technologies.
You’ve heard the expression: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Wrong, deeply wrong.
The Evolution of Technology in the Workplace
I was lucky with my first office job in the early 1980s. I used an IBM Selectric typewriter, and you could erase a line if you didn’t hit enter. My career has since involved dedicated word processing machines, desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets and many software programs. My experience is far from unusual.
Age Discrimination in the Workplace
Yet a recent report for the American Staffing Association by Harris Poll showed how real age discrimination is. Seventy-eight percent of boomers surveyed think age would be a factor when in consideration for a new position, and 68% believe their age puts them at a disadvantage when finding a new job. Age discrimination is wrong, including negative perceptions about older workers and new technologies.
The Benefits of Working Longer
Age discrimination is a barrier to employment in retirement. Yet working longer is financially savvy. For one thing, a job makes it practical to delay filing for Social Security, a boon to benefits. For another, part-time work, flexible jobs and other ways of earning a paycheck allow for adding to savings. Not everyone can or wants to stay on the job, of course.
The Impact of Age Discrimination
The good news is the impact of age discrimination might be waning. That’s my takeaway from a recent study by economist Geoffrey Sanzenbacher for the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. The study, “Can Employer Demand Support Older Workers Today … And Tomorrow?,” synthesizes previous research from the center.
Optimism for Older Workers
“Overall, room for optimism exists,” he wrote.
Briefly, Sanzenbacher found no clear evidence supporting the notion older workers are less productive than their younger peers. There is no significant difference between younger and older workers when measuring corporate profitability in most industries. Employer surveys say management recognizes the benefits of older workers, though jobs targeted at older workers tend to pay less and come with fewer benefits. Looking out to 2030, “while older workers may need to change with the times and enter some new occupations, their skills should enable them to do so,” he wrote.
The Value of Older Workers
The desire to work longer will swell with the aging of the workforce. Older workers should have the option, assuming reasonable health. Whether and how to earn an income is critical to retirement planning. And, for employers, older workers are a valuable asset to keep and to hire.
Conclusion
Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor, “Marketplace”; commentator, Minnesota Public Radio.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 1: No Poverty
The article discusses age discrimination in the workplace and the importance of older workers being able to continue working. This connects to SDG 8, which aims to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. It also relates to SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities, including age-based discrimination. Additionally, the article mentions the financial benefits of working longer, which aligns with SDG 1’s goal of reducing poverty.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
- Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 8.5 (achieving full and productive employment for all) under SDG 8, Target 10.2 (promoting social and economic inclusion irrespective of age) under SDG 10, and Target 1.3 (implementing social protection systems for the vulnerable) under SDG 1.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
The article does not provide any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, indicators such as employment rates for older workers, the prevalence of age discrimination in hiring practices, and the availability of social protection systems for older individuals could be relevant in measuring progress towards these targets.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: startribune.com
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