Ageism in the Workplace

Employers often have negative attitudes towards older workers. Age discrimination persists even though older workers are not necessarily less healthy, less educated, less skilful or productive than their younger counterparts. Older women face particular challenges in employment because of their sex and age.

Each year in Ireland thousands of experienced, skilled and dedicated Irish employees are told to go home on their 65th birthday. Their working life is from this day to all intents and purposes, over.

Irish law permits employers to force people out of their job through mandatory retirement clauses in their contracts. Figures provided last year by the Department of Social Protection indicated there were more people at the age of 65 on Jobseeker’s Benefit than at any other age.

On Jobseekers Benefit these people will receive €50 leas than they would if they were on the full State Pension. This situation will get even worse in 2021 when the State Pension entitlement age rises to 67 and will mean the possibility of 2 years on Jobseeker Benefit.

A huge percentage of the population are going to rely on the State Pension in retirement. For this reason alone we need to ensure it is fair and sustainable. Simply to keep increasing the pension age is not the solution to the problem.

Abolishing mandatory retirement, providing the support and training encouraging older workers to re enter employment
and tackling ageism. when combined should go a long way to providing the answer.