In a recent comprehensive workplace survey conducted by CareerWallet, a leading Recruitment and Employment Technology Company, concerning revelations have emerged about the experiences of older employees in the workforce.
The study aimed to provide a realistic portrayal of working life and shed light on the impact of economic factors such as the cost of living on the job market.
The report brings attention to a distressing trend: older workers, aged 55 and above, are nearly twice as likely to face deliberate exclusion in the workplace compared to their younger counterparts.
Approximately one in five (19%) respondents over 55 admitted to being subjected to exclusionary behaviour from colleagues and management.
The survey, covering a broad spectrum of workplace dynamics, also uncovered that a staggering 32 percent of those over 55 reported experiencing bullying at work, a figure significantly higher than any other age group.
Direct bullying
This concerning trend indicates that older employees are grappling with workplace challenges that extend beyond exclusion, manifesting as direct bullying. In addition to this, older workers reported facing inappropriate comments (24%), sexist behaviour (13%), and offensive comments (19%).
These findings should serve as a cause for concern for employers across the United Kingdom, as they highlight a pervasive issue of exclusion and mistreatment faced by older employees. Despite the wealth of experience and benefits that older workers can contribute, many businesses are failing to foster a culture of respect and inclusivity for this demographic.
Craig Bines, CEO of The CareerWallet Group, expressed his concern, stating:
“Our new workplace survey highlights that older employees are not only getting ignored and excluded but, more concerningly, are also experiencing bullying from colleagues and managers. This shows a fundamental cultural problem with millions of businesses in the UK that are not utilising often the most experienced and valuable employees or giving them the respect they deserve.”
As businesses grapple with the implications of this report, CareerWallet invites candidates seeking new opportunities to explore millions of available vacancies across the UK. The company emphasises the importance of creating an inclusive workplace culture that values the contributions of all employees, irrespective of age.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.