The article addresses the prevalent issue of ageism in the workplace, emphasizing that stereotypes about older workers are unfounded as they are capable and willing learners. Research indicates that many employers hold biases against older employees, believing they perform worse than younger counterparts, despite evidence showing no significant productivity differences related to age. The authors advocate for adult educators to challenge these attitudes, promote inclusive learning environments, and support the ongoing education of older workers.

1. Combating Workplace Ageism
Larry Weas
Adult & Higher Education, Ed. D. Program
Northern Illinois University

2. Article Introduction
Combating Workplace Ageism
Author(s): Reio, T. G., Jr. & Sanders-Reio, J.
Source: Adult Learning, v11 n1 p10-13 Fall 1999
Age discrimination in the workplace is widespread
and often based on stereotypes. Research has
demonstrated that older workers learn and perform
well. Adult educators should eliminate ways in which
educational practices perpetuate ageism, raise
awareness of it in the workplace, and help older
workers continue learning.

3. An Investigation
• An investigation of decision making on training
scenarios, the researchers gave business students
in their 20’s an exercise in which they were to
make decisions about the imaginary employees of
a fictitious company.
• Employees were described as either “older” or
“younger,” or their personal records included the
photograph of either an older or younger person.

4. Ageism is Widespread
According to a study conducted by the National
Council of Aging, more than 50% of the
employers surveyed believe that older workers
cannot perform as well as younger workers.
Question: Do you think this is
because adult learning has become
technology-based in the workplace?

5. Ageist Myth
• Stereotypes
• Technically Outdated
• Slow and Less Productive
• Technology- and Computer-Phobic
• Physical Ailments less able to Learn
• Not Educated
A major point in the research: NO
consistent pattern of superior productivity
or job performance in any age group.

6. Adult Workers learn & perform well
• First: Those who are 45 and older, perform well
• Second: Adults want to learn new things
• Third: Older adults are also just as able to learn
• Fourth: Younger students do better
when older students are around, at
least in Higher Education “old dogs”
• Fifth: Adult workers tend to
have many characteristics that
are valuable to employers

7. A Historical Perspective
“The social realities of race, gender,
class, ethnicity and religion [have]
restricted access to opportunities.”
Stubblefield and Keane (1994)

8. How Adult Education Serves
to Perpetuate Ageism
• Adult Education as the engine of change in
the workplace, with technology as the fuel
• “Appropriate” basic skills training

9. What can we do?
• Modelling more appropriate attitudes
toward older workers…
• Appropriate teaching behaviours…
• Challenge older learners to achieve…
• Diverse learning environments…

10. Ageism and the Workplace:
How Bad Is it….

11. Question: Ageism?
In support of this article…
…is Ageism a problem of
generational
miscommunication, or even a
lack of communication
altogether?

12. Thank you!
900
Over-qualified…