Title: Age discrimination is still seen as okay in the workplace | Guardian sustainable business | The Guardian
Headings: Age discrimination is still seen as okay in the workplace
Age discrimination is still seen as okay in the workplace
Oliver Balch
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Older people: the demographic dynamo

Content: But what of older people in the workforce? The same demographic curve that is exciting marketeers requires a rethink by human resources managers too. Since the compulsory retirement age of 65 was scrapped in 2011, the number of over 65s choosing to stay in work has risen to over one million. Work: Life UK: Making plans for an ageing workforce
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Despite a widespread expectation that this figure is set to increase, only a small minority of businesses are taking the issue of an ageing workforce seriously, says Christopher Brooks, policy adviser on employment and skills at Age UK. “ It makes sense from a business point of view that companies are using the skills and expertise that all ages bring to their workforce”, he says. Research backs up the benefits of a more age diverse workforce. Up to the age of 70, older workers are just as productive as their younger counterparts, a government report argues [PDF]. Mixed-aged teams, meanwhile, are shown to increase the relative productivity of older and younger workers alike [PDF].