MCC Daily Tribune

Age Discrimination: A Real Diversity Issue

Almost everyone is aware that in today's world, diversity is very much in the forefront. We continue to address and confront different issues around race, gender, bias and global issues. The one topic that is rarely addressed and in most cases is ignored altogether is the issue of "Age Discrimination". If you are under the age of 40 you may not even think of it so much, however usually once a person passes this age you become more and more aware how age is consciously push in your face in a number of different ways. Researchers studying age, reported that a majority of workers over the age of 50 are likely at some point to be shoved out of their jobs, either via an overt firing or resignation under pressure of demotions, loss of future benefits or deteriorating work conditions. The damage to their bottom line is often permanent. Making matters worse: The retirement prospects for many younger baby boomers and members of Generation X look dismal, as the shift from workplace pensions to the do-it-yourself 401(k) has left millions of people without the resources to maintain even a semblance of their current lifestyle in retirement. As a result, surveys say a majority of Americans plan to work well past the traditional retirement age, with many claiming they will collect a paycheck till they drop. Mark Zuckerberg famously proclaimed, "Young people are just smarter." IBM has been sued for targeting older employees for layoffs, as have restaurant chains including Ruby Tuesday and Texas Roadhouse.

Attached is an excellent article on age discrimination that I suggest we all read regardless of your age? Mainly because we all don't get younger. Some of you may have read this article in the Wall-Street Journal or the more comprehensive extended version in AARP. It is a diversity issue.

Attached Files:
Discrimination.pdf

Shirley Batistta-Provost
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability
01/21/2020