Workplace age discrimination is starting younger
An Australian inquiry has heard that workplace age discrimination is starting younger than ever.
An inquiry into discrimination by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found complaints of age discrimination have been received by people who are in their 40s.
Official complaints to federal and state advocates about age discrimination are starting well before retirement age, with cases including an employee in the 45-54 age bracket who was told that they were too old to use the stairs at work and fired for safety reasons.
Other cases include workers being made redundant because they need “fresher faces”.
Australian Age and Disability Commissioner Susan Ryan is touring Australia as part of the inquiry and stated, “Although the bulk of discrimination happens in an older age bracket with those who are 50 and over, there are widely held prejudices toward older workers and that's why it takes place.”