Ageist attitudes are endemic in the workplace and must be tackled by appointing a dedicated minister to champion over-60s at the highest level, a care home and retirement property provider has warned.
The call for change came after Anchor commissioned ICM to undertake a survey among 2,011 adults who were over 18. The research revealed that two out of five young people aged between 18 and 24 believed that there were not enough jobs for older people to continue working, while 14% felt that they should retire to make way for young blood.
Even though the default retirement age of 65 will be abandoned this year, 21% of those questioned believed that the over 60s were slower and less productive than their younger counterparts, while one in 20 claimed that they should be paid less as they work less swiftly.
In response to the findings, Anchor is launching a national ‘Grey Pride’ petition today, – bit.ly/AnchorMinister – calling for the UK to follow the lead of Ireland and Canada in creating a dedicated ministerial post to help tackle the issue. The aim is to hand it over at least 10,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street in September this year.
Jane Ashcroft, the firm’s chief executive, said: “Casual ageism has no place in society and the negative perceptions bear no reality to the lives of the over-60s in England today who are active, energetic and contribute hugely to many of the most successful businesses and organisations in the country.”
But while the government currently had a dedicated minister for women, the disabled and children to champion its equality agenda, there was no representation for older people, who currently make up almost a quarter of the population, she added.
The survey revealed that there was also a generation gap to bridge outside of the workplace, however. Many younger Britons evidenced stereotypical views of older people, dubbing over-60s as grumpy (18%) and out of touch with modern society (21%).
A shocking seven out of 10 18 to 24 year olds did not consider older relatives to be an important part of the family, while 10% considered it a chore to go and see them. One in five said that they could never think of anything to say.
