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Assessing Anti-ageism Routes to Older Worker Re-engagement

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  • Colin Duncan

    (University of Edinburgh, UK Colin.Duncan@ed.ac.uk)

Abstract

Measures that challenge ageism in employment are among the most prominent policy approaches towards reversing the dramatic decline over the last two decades in the labour market participation of older workers in developed economies. In Britain, such measures have evolved through three related phases: the `business case' approach; equality routes, incorporating equal opportunities and diversity policies; and progress towards anti-age discrimination legislation. Discriminatory attitudes displayed by employers have been overemphasized in explaining early exit from the labour market. Paradoxically, targeting such prejudice and ignorance through the business case approach has narrowed the scope for challenging more covert forms of ageism in employment. Nor is age easily incorporated into equal opportunities and diversity agendas in effective ways. Moreover, legislation will need to depart significantly from the principles underlying voluntary approaches if it is to be successful. The ambiguity and fluidity of the ageism concept also allow scope for opportunistic responses on the part of labour market actors that can be detrimental to the interests of older workers, and preoccupation with ageism may therefore act to impede progress towards more targeted, co-ordinated and effective policy responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin Duncan, 2003. "Assessing Anti-ageism Routes to Older Worker Re-engagement," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 17(1), pages 101-120, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:17:y:2003:i:1:p:101-120
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017003017001265
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Campbell, Nigel, 1999. "The decline of employment among older people in Britain," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 6501, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Campbell, Nigel, 1999. "The decline of employment among older people in Britain," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 51401, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. David Neumark, 2003. "Age Discrimination Legislation in the United States," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 21(3), pages 297-317, July.
    4. Michel, A., 1999. "A New Deal for the Young Unemployed -Sound Bite or Sound Policy?," Papers 1999:12, University of Hertfordshire - Business Schoool.
    5. Nigel Campbell, 1999. "The Decline of Employment Among Older People in Britain," CASE Papers 019, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, LSE.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael McGann & Rachel Ong & Dina Bowman & Alan S Duncan & Helen Kimberley & Simon Biggs, 2016. "A Gendered Analysis of Age Discrimination among Older Jobseekers in Australia," Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Working Paper series WP1601, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School.
    2. Ghosheh Jr, N.S. & Lee, Sangheon, & McCann, Deirdre M., 2006. "Conditions of work and employment for older workers in industrialized countries : understanding the issues," ILO Working Papers 993864863402676, International Labour Organization.
    3. Carmichael, Fiona & Ercolani, Marco G., 2015. "Age-training gaps across the European Union: How and why they vary across member states," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 6(C), pages 163-175.

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