108 Ventures Blog

Given the upcoming crisis in Talent Acquisition (in some companies, this is already happening) one would think folks would be talking about Ageism as a phenomenon of the past vs.. the current conversation on how to eradicate the problem. Think I am kidding? Look at these statistics:

• A national survey by More magazine found that 87% of the population believes that women experience age discrimination at some point in their lives;
• The study also found that one in five men and women aged 40-60 believe being over 40 has hurt them professionally, with those over 55 almost twice as likely (32%) than those 40-54 (18%) to admit that it has damaged their chances of getting a new job. The survey by Data Development Worldwide (DDW) for More Magazine, is based on a telephone sample of 1,002 men and women ages 18 and older;
• Men and women agree that discrimination begins four years earlier for women;
• In Fiscal Year 2008, the EEOC received 24,582 charges of age discrimination. The EEOC resolved 21,415 age discrimination charges in FY 2008;
• Monetary Benefits received in the Millions (NOT including $ benefits obtained through litigation) totaled $51.5 in 2006, $66.8 in 2007 and $82.8 in 2008.(!!)
  

Hummmmmm,  ageism seems to be alive, thriving and gaining momentum. Why is this? In an age when being progressive is as cool as Twitter, hip is still synonymous with being young and under 30 or better yet, 27.

In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, I can't help but wonder - does this ring true for you? Have you been discriminated against because of age or not? Does your company embrace experience and maturity? What super hip firm do you know that diggs the gray? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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Interesting blogs on the subject: 

Why Immigrants Are More Likely To Start Companies

Should Age Descrimination be Legal

Ageism in the office