21.02.2014 Bernhard Schmidt-Hertha

Institut für Erziehungswissenschaft

Dealing with Age Discrimination and Age Stereotypes at the Workplace

Demographic change and its impact on labor markets

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Percentage of people 60+ in relation to the 20-59 year olds

Images of ageing…and how they influence our perceptions

Images of ageing• Include social, normative and developmental aspects

• Affect communication with and about older adults

• Affect well-being and health

• Self-fulfilling prophecies

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Positive:•Wisdom

•Experience

•Calmness

•Social competence

•Later life as a field of new possibilities and chances

Negative:•Forgetfulness

•Peculiarities

•Illness

•Helplessness

•Later Life is defined by depending on others

• Plasticity of cognitive development

• Simultaneity of developmental gains and losses

• Baltes: S-O-C-Model

Selection

Optimisation

Compensation

Promoting a realistic image of ageing

HR-managers images of ageing

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Attributes(performance parameters)

Weight Attribute (performance parameter) is more likely for ...

  average younger workers older workers

Experiental knowledge 126 33 94

Physical power 108 67 41

Mental power 108 56 52

Creativity 108 59 48

Working moral, discipline 143 54 88

Flexibility 130 69 61

Ability to learn 121 76 45

Sense of quality 138 55 83

Theoretical knowledge 110 57 53

Team spirit 118 58 60

Loyality 120 56 64

Readiness to learn 121 69 52

Source: Hübner, Kühl & Putzing 2003, S. 130

Learning motivation of older workers:An interview study (Schmidt 2009)

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1. Habitual learning-oriented type:

Adult education as a natural part of daily life

2. Utilitarian target-oriented type:

Adult education as a purposeful action

3. Barrier-centered type:

Adult education as something, that someone is supposed to do

Conclusions

• Age stereotypes at the workplace endangers the potentials of older workers

• A realistic image of ageing is needed• HR-Managers not only have to be aware of their own stereotypes

but also have to take the strenghts of older workers into account• Older workers with their experience and discipline are an

important resource for companies• Like the young ones, older workers are willing to learn if it is

related to a concrete vocational perspective• Dealing with age stereotypes means disclosing them, being aware

of the competencies and potentials older workers have, and making use of them.

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