Executives are worried. A recent survey reports that 89% are concerned they may soon be discriminated against on the basis of their age. Of the 404 executives who responded, 63% have seen this practice become more widespread during the past 5 years. Why the increase? Economic conditions and recent business realignment make older workers more vulnerable according to 86% of the respondents.
The study conducted by ExecuNet, an executive job search and recruiting network, concludes that age discrimination is a serious problem facing corporate America. So daunting in fact that 35% of the executives polled felt that age discrimination will force them into retirement.
"Although there are laws designed to protect workers over forty, age discrimination is often subtle and very difficult to prove," says Dave Opton, CEO and founder of ExecuNet. "In many cases, the best defense is a proactive campaign designed to shift attention away from the fading color of your hair and to the value you offer as an employee."
ExecuNet
