Age as a Age as a Diversity Issue in Diversity Issue in

the Workplacethe Workplace

Important DatesImportant Dates

1903 Colorado: no one may discharge because of age1903 Colorado: no one may discharge because of age1958 NY: age (18-60) added to statute re 1958 NY: age (18-60) added to statute re

discrimination in employment discrimination in employment 1967 Congress: ADEA passed (40-65)1967 Congress: ADEA passed (40-65)1989 Congress: mandatory retirement (70) 1989 Congress: mandatory retirement (70)

eliminatedeliminated1990 Older Workers Benefit Protection Act 1990 Older Workers Benefit Protection Act 1996 US Supreme Court: don’t have to be replaced 1996 US Supreme Court: don’t have to be replaced

by someone under age 40by someone under age 40 2000 State gov’t agencies protected from being sued 2000 State gov’t agencies protected from being sued

for money damages for money damages

Growth in US WorkforceGrowth in US Workforce

1970s-1980s 30%1970s-1980s 30%

1980s-1990s 12%1980s-1990s 12%

1990s-2000s 7%1990s-2000s 7%

2000s-2010s 1% 2000s-2010s 1%

2010s-2020s 2010s-2020s 0.2%0.2%

Growth in US Workforce by Growth in US Workforce by AgeAge

2000-20102000-201016-24 15%16-24 15%

25-34 8%25-34 8%

35-44 -35-44 -10%10%

45-64 21%45-64 21%

55-64 52%55-64 52%

65+ 30%65+ 30%

Retiring RetirementRetiring Retirement

Create a Culture that Honors Create a Culture that Honors ExperienceExperience

Offer Flexible WorkOffer Flexible Work Introduce Flexible RetirementIntroduce Flexible Retirement

Honor ExperienceHonor Experience

Recruitment techniquesRecruitment techniques Interviewing techniquesInterviewing techniques Training and Training and

developmentdevelopment CultureCulture

Flexible WorkFlexible Work

Part-time schedulesPart-time schedules TelecommutingTelecommuting Job sharingJob sharing Compressed Compressed

workweeksworkweeks Redesigned career Redesigned career

pathspaths Reduced hoursReduced hours

Flexible RetirementFlexible Retirement

On-call cadre of experienced On-call cadre of experienced peoplepeople

Leaders on demandLeaders on demand Retiree CasualsRetiree Casuals Resource Re-entry CentreResource Re-entry Centre

Questions Questions What differences are there in what attract older What differences are there in what attract older

and younger workers?and younger workers? Older workers are one group who might help Older workers are one group who might help

companies keep their workforces at full strength; companies keep their workforces at full strength; what other groups might contribute to this effort?what other groups might contribute to this effort?

What attitudes and policies inhibit the What attitudes and policies inhibit the effectiveness of companies’ strategies for hiring effectiveness of companies’ strategies for hiring older workers?older workers?

Why might older workers be particularly Why might older workers be particularly interested in flexible work schedules and interested in flexible work schedules and assignments?assignments?

What advantages do firms obtain by creating What advantages do firms obtain by creating flexible work schedules and assignments for older flexible work schedules and assignments for older workers?workers?