Dr Carole Easton, chief executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, described the findings as “dispiriting but understandable”
Older workers would consider cosmetic procedures such as Botox and plastic surgery in a bid to counter age-based discrimination at work, a new UK survey reveals.
A survey by the Centre for Ageing Better in the UK found that one in five people aged 45 and above would consider Botox or fillers to look younger if it improved their chances of getting a job or promotion.
A further 15% said they would undergo plastic surgery, while 41% would dye their hair to appear more youthful.
Dr Carole Easton, chief executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, described the findings as “dispiriting but understandable.”
“It is so dispiriting to see the drastic steps that older workers are forced to consider in order to get a level playing field in the workplace. But it is also understandable people are taking drastic action given that age and experience is so often viewed negatively and held against employees and job applicants,” she said.
The data highlights entrenched challenges for older employees. Labour market figures show that people aged 35 to 49 are 20% more likely to be employed than those aged 50 to 64. Research also shows that training opportunities and chances of re-employment decline sharply after age 50.
Workplace bias toward youthfulness
Another survey by Age Without Limits found that one in four people believe hiring someone over 50 “does not make business sense” because they are thought to be slower or less adaptable. More than one in five respondents said training older workers was a waste of resources, while one in three believed technological competence declines with age.
Dr Easton noted: “The persistent and unfounded stereotypes around older workers are consigning too many people to the employment scrapheap with a third of their working lives still to go. The reality is older workers are an asset and help an organisation to be more productive and innovative.”
Campaigners are calling for structural change rather than cosmetic solutions. The Centre for Ageing Better has launched the Age-friendly Employer Pledge, which encourages organisations in the UK to build cultures where employees of all ages feel valued and supported.
“We cannot continue wasting the talent of older workers in this country,” said Harriet Bailiss, Co-head of the Age Without Limits campaign.
