Age Discrimination
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“Ageism is as odious as racism and sexism.”

— Claude Pepper

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“I think ageism is a cultural illness; it’s not a personal illness.”

— Frances McDormand

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“We’ve made so many advances in other areas - civil rights, gay rights - but ageism is still an area that’s taboo and not talked about and dealt with.”

— Madonna Ciccone

Age Discrimination News

The cost of aging: How rent caps could affect Washington seniors

April 26, 2025
Renters on fixed incomes hope a 10% ceiling on increases will provide relief, while older landlords worry it will force them out of business. by Laurel Demkovich April 14, 2025 Royce…
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Senior citizens are rattled by news that Medicare telehealth coverage could expire next month

March 27, 2025
Advocates say the coverage has bipartisan support, but efforts to make it permanent have been unsuccessful thus far. By Bracey Harris | NBC News • Published February 27, 2025 • Updated on February 27, 2025 at 5:01…
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‘A forgotten generation’: Older Black men in Boston are dying of drug overdoses at alarming rates

February 20, 2025
A new analysis shows that they are now hardest hit by the opioid epidemic By Chris Serres and Yoohyun Jung Updated January 30, 2025, 5:00 a.m. Anthony James is the first…
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In a rural small town, a group of locals steps up to support senior health

September 17, 2024
SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 5:00 AM ET By Juliana Kim, Tim Evans GLEN ULLIN, N.D. — When small rural towns get smaller, the challenges for those who remain get bigger.  It’s especially…
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Stay Engaged

Recommended Media

DUTY FREE

After a 75 year-old immigrant mother gets fired without cause from her lifelong job as a hotel housekeeper, her son takes her on a bucket-list adventure to reclaim her life. As she struggles to find work, he documents a journey that uncovers the economic insecurity shaping not only her future, but that of an entire generation.

Where to Watch: Vimeo, YouTube, Google Play

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AGE WITHOUT AGEISM

The second episode in the "Citizen Brain" series explains how fighting ageism can help us live longer -- and make the world better. Hosted by Josh Kornbluth, an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute and Hellman Visiting Artist at UCSF's Memory and Aging Center. Featuring neuroscientists Rose Anne Kenny, MD, Kate Rankin, PhD, and Pascal Gagneux, PhD.

Where to Watch: Vimeo

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Get Informed

Fact Sheet

  • Two out of three workers between ages 45 and 74 say they have seen or experienced age discrimination at work, and job seekers over age 35 cite it as a top obstacle to getting hired.
    AARP
  • Among older workers surveyed by AARP, not getting hired is the most common type of age discrimination they experienced, with 19% of respondents citing it. An additional 12% say they missed out on a promotion because of age, and 8% say they were laid off or fired.
    AARP
  • In 2016, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received 20,857 charges of age discrimination. Age discrimination makes up more than 1 in 5 of the discrimination charges received by the EEOC.
    AARP
  • Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against any individual who is 40 years of age or older because of age in regard to hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, job training, or any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.
    Office of Civil Rights
  • Discriminatory practices also include harassment based on age; retaliation against an individual for filing a charge of discrimination, participating in an investigation, or opposing discriminatory practices; and employment decisions based on stereotypes or assumptions about the abilities, traits, or performance of people of a particular age.
    Office of Civil Rights
  • Contrary to stereotypes, workers age 50 and up are among the most engaged members of the workforce, according to an AARP study. 65% of employees age 55 and up are "engaged," compared to 58 to 60 percent of younger employees. They also offer employers lower turnover rates and greater levels of experience.
    AARP

Resources, Publications, & Articles

• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

• AARP

• Australia Human Rights Commission

• U.S. National Library of Medicine

 

• World Health Organization

• Mississippi State University

Some Major Age Discrimination
Challenges in 2022

  • Ageism seeps into many institutions and sectors of society including those providing health and social care, in the workplace, media and the legal system. Healthcare rationing based solely on age is widespread.
  • Both older and younger adults are often disadvantaged in the workplace and access to specialized training and education decline significantly with age. Ageism against younger people manifests across many areas such as employment, health, housing and politics where younger people’s voices are often denied or dismissed.
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Get Involved

Ways to Take Action

Remain Vigilant, Recognize Stereotyping and Avoid Making Assumptions

Presuming that older workers are marking their time to retirement, are not interested in learning new skills, or assuming that the incumbent would immediately leave for something better is damaging to employee morale and productivity. It also leaves your organization open to potential legal risks. Notice the subtleties and encourage managers to dig deeper when looking for candidates.

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Watch for Social Cues in the Workplace

It is equally important to watch for social cues in the workplace. Birthday cards that joke about old age, and the mentioning of senior moments while often done with affection and in jest, can be signs of a bias toward older workers. Although appearing harmless, these are often the smoking guns in age discrimination lawsuits.

Open the Dialogue With Employees

Creating a safe space where employees feel comfortable sharing concerns and conducting respectful discourse is vital to combatting ageism in the workplace. Cultivating open lines of communication is a way to build trust, show commonality and break the generational boundaries that can form unintentionally.

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