Women and Ageism: Unpacking an ‘Ongoing Issue’ at Work
Women and Ageism: Unpacking an 'Ongoing Issue' at Work SHRM
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Report on Ageism Against Women in the Workplace
Introduction
Women have historically faced higher rates of ageism and incivility when compared with their male counterparts. A new report released during Women’s History Month showed that this issue remains a problem for workplaces globally.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The issue of ageism against women in the workplace is closely related to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Survey Findings
A survey conducted by Women of Influence+ across 46 countries revealed the following:
- About 77.8 percent of the 1,258 female respondents have encountered age-related discrimination in their careers.
- Another 80.7 percent said they have witnessed other women being treated differently in the workplace because of their age.
- Nearly half (46.2 percent) reported ageism among women to be an ongoing issue.
Additional Findings
The survey also found:
- 40.7 percent of respondents experienced ageism within the first decade of their career.
- 55.9 percent encountered ageism after passing 21 years in their career.
Types of Ageism
The most common types of ageism reported by the respondents were:
- Age-based stereotypes or assumptions (74.8 percent)
- Lack of respect from colleagues (50.1 percent)
- Unfair treatment in the promotion process (49 percent)
Impact of Ageism on Women
Ageism can negatively impact individuals at all stages of their careers, leading to:
- Unfair treatment
- Limited opportunities
- Marginalization
- Increased social isolation and loneliness
- Greater financial insecurity
- Depression
Examples of Ageism Against Women
Several examples of ageism against women in the workplace were highlighted:
- An older woman isn’t considered for projects involving new technology or emerging social media platforms due to the stereotype that younger employees are better with technology.
- A working mother with young children is passed up for a promotion due to an assumption that she will not be as committed as a younger employee without children.
- An older woman in a customer-facing job overhears her younger colleagues gossiping about the way she dresses being outdated.
- A start-up company refuses to consider an older woman for a job for which she is highly qualified because her college graduation date on her resume elicits subconscious negative feelings about aging women.
Impact on Mental Health and Well-being
Ageism in the workplace can have a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals. It can lead to increased rates of absenteeism, lower productivity, and other mental health challenges.
Recommendations
To combat ageism in the workplace and improve civility, the following recommendations are suggested:
- Evaluate own biases regularly.
- Assess the state of the culture through employee surveys to identify hints of ageism.
- Train and educate the workforce, particularly front-line management, on bias-related topics.
Conclusion
Ageism against women in the workplace is a pervasive and systemic issue that hinders career progression, impacts confidence and well-being, and goes against the principles of gender equality and human rights. It is crucial for organizations to address ageism and create inclusive and equitable workplaces that value the contributions of individuals of all ages.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere | Indicator: Percentage of women who have encountered age-related discrimination in their careers |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: 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 | Indicator: Percentage of women who have witnessed other women being treated differently in the workplace because of their age |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard | Indicator: Percentage of women who reported ageism among women as an ongoing issue |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | Indicator: Impact of ageism on social isolation, loneliness, financial insecurity, and depression |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article addresses the issue of age-related discrimination faced by women in the workplace, highlighting the gendered nature of this problem.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses how ageism affects women’s career progression and opportunities, which is connected to the goal of achieving decent work and economic growth for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article highlights the ongoing issue of ageism among women, indicating the existence of inequalities based on age within the female workforce.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article mentions the negative impact of ageism on individuals’ mental health and well-being, emphasizing the need to address this issue for overall well-being.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
The article highlights the age-related discrimination faced by women in their careers, which aligns with this target.
Target 8.5: 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
The article discusses how ageism affects women’s career progression and opportunities, indicating a need to achieve equal treatment and opportunities for all workers regardless of age.
Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard
The article highlights the ongoing issue of ageism among women, indicating the need to reduce inequalities based on age within the female workforce.
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
The article mentions the negative impact of ageism on individuals’ mental health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue to promote good health and well-being.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article provides several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Percentage of women who have encountered age-related discrimination in their careers
- Percentage of women who have witnessed other women being treated differently in the workplace because of their age
- Percentage of women who reported ageism among women as an ongoing issue
- Impact of ageism on social isolation, loneliness, financial insecurity, and depression
These indicators can be used to assess the prevalence of age-related discrimination, the extent of unequal treatment based on age, and the negative consequences of ageism on individuals’ well-being.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere | Indicator: Percentage of women who have encountered age-related discrimination in their careers |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: 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 | Indicator: Percentage of women who have witnessed other women being treated differently in the workplace because of their age |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard | Indicator: Percentage of women who reported ageism among women as an ongoing issue |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | Indicator: Impact of ageism on social isolation, loneliness, financial insecurity, and depression |
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: shrm.org
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