Workplace discrimination has unfortunately become all too prevalent in contemporary society. Despite numerous efforts by organizations to mitigate it, a significant portion of employees still find themselves grappling with its insidious effects. Among the various forms of discrimination, ageism stands out as a particularly pervasive issue. Whether it's older employees feeling sidelined for younger recruits or younger professionals encountering barriers to advancement due to perceived lack of experience, age-based discrimination continues to plague workplaces across industries.
Table of Contents:
- What is Age Discrimination
- Identifying Age Discrimination
- How to Prevent Age Discrimination
- Age Discrimination in UAE & KSA
What is Age Discrimination in the Workplace?
Age discrimination, also known as ageism, is the unfair treatment or bias against an individual or group based on their age, particularly in the workplace. Workplace age discrimination can occur at any stage of the employment process, and employees unfairly miss out on job opportunities, promotions, assignments, training opportunities, or even terminations.
‘Ageism’ or age discrimination can impact any age or professional position. It can lead to profound frustration and a diminished sense of self-worth, which drives lower job satisfaction, limiting career progress and professional development.
Also Read: Why the Personality Hire is Important in the workplace
How to Identify Age Discrimination in the Workplace?
Employers should actively look for and recognize certain signs, situations, and behaviors that may indicate age discrimination within their processes or departments. Any generalizations about certain age groups being less competent and excluded from places and opportunities should be assessed discreetly. Once identified, employers must seek resolutive solutions to build cohesive work environments.
To remedy these systemic issues, employers should be paying attention to:
- Unfair hiring, incompetent positioning in roles
- Age-related generalizations and jokes
- Unequal project and assignment allocations
- Discrepancies in performance feedback
- Disparities in access to opportunities or other professional needs
- Inadequate attention to complaints against age discrimination
Also Read: What is an EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity)
How to Employers Can Prevent Workplace Age Discrimination?
Employers can make a difference by simply fostering a work environment that is inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds. Here's how they can contribute to a positive work culture:
1. Create an Inclusive Initiative
Where every employee’s skill and contribution are celebrated and valued, regardless of their age. Employers must also base age-neutral decisions on merit, skills, and performance rather than age, contributing to an equitable work environment.
2. Create a Strong Legal Policy
Anti-Age Discrimination Laws is a legal framework that aims to prevent age discrimination in the workplace. Many countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have strict laws and policies to prevent age discrimination.
Employers in the UAE must review the policies and rights of employees as mandated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which are responsible for enforcing labor laws, including those related to age discrimination.
In Saudi Arabia, employers must also comply with all legal policies as mandated by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, wherein the employees can have legal recourse due to age-related bias.
3. Introduce Training and Awareness Reforms
Providing training and awareness is important to educate employees and managers about why fair treatment matters can help. This is key to ensure everyone is in line with anti-age workplace discrimination laws.
4. Update Employment Policies Regularly
Employers must also regularly review their employment procedures, policies, and requirements to ensure they follow Equal Employment Opportunity Laws, which are designed to ensure employees are not treated unfairly based on protected characteristics, including age. With better policies in practice, employers can make informed decisions through multiple processes or complaint matters.
Workplace age discrimination is a bias with significant repercussions in the workplace. Therefore, recognizing, addressing, and actively working against age discrimination is essential for a cohesive work environment.
Also Read: Workplace Diversity Statistics for 2024
Age discrimination persists as a significant issue in both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), despite legal frameworks intended to prevent such biases. In the UAE, where a multicultural workforce thrives, age-related prejudices often manifest in hiring practices favoring younger candidates, particularly in industries like technology and hospitality. Similarly, in the KSA, while efforts to diversify the economy have been underway, older individuals frequently encounter barriers to employment and advancement, particularly in sectors prioritizing youth and technological adeptness. Despite governmental initiatives promoting inclusive employment, societal attitudes and traditional perceptions of age continue to hinder the full integration of older workers into the labor market in both nations.
