New Delhi: A new Study But Ageism in the workplace It was found that about 31 per cent Employee In India felt Partiality Or Discrimination Because of them at work age,

Study conducted by talent management company Randstad India It was found that pharma, Healthcare & Life Sciences Also business process outsourcing/IT-enabled services were two major Areas where the highest proportion of respondents (43 per cent) experienced Ageism,

These sectors were followed by construction, infrastructure and real estate, where 41 per cent of respondents said they had experienced ageism, according to the study titled ‘Beyond Numbers: Intergenerational Insights on Ageism’.

The study, which involved around 1,000 respondents, revealed that 40 per cent of the workforce surveyed have experienced or witnessed ageism at the workplace (did not face ageism themselves, but saw it happen to others). Although people have experienced the phenomenon, most of them are not aware of the true meanings of the term ‘ageism’.

“Ageism is one of the most overlooked unconscious biases Workplace at all levels,” said Vishwanath PS, MD & CEO, Randstad India.

“Overcoming ageism requires a conscious effort to recognise and challenge stereotypes, in order to create an environment where experience and new perspectives are equally valued. By fostering an inclusive culture that engages employees of all ages, organisations can harness the full potential of their workforce, fostering collaboration, innovation and growth,” he added.

“It is essential that we recognize the unique contributions of people of all ages and actively work to integrate their experiences into the structure of our companies.”

The study revealed that 42 per cent of employees under the age of 55 had experienced or witnessed ageism in the workplace, compared to 29 per cent of employees over the age of 55. Fewer respondents under the age of 35 (51 per cent) agreed that their contributions were valued due to their age, compared to more respondents over the age of 35 (63 per cent) who agreed.

About 27 per cent of the respondents believed that they were not compensated appropriately because of their age.

The data shows that younger age groups faced more age discrimination than older age groups. There was a general lack of trust in the abilities and skills of the youngest age group, while the oldest age group privileged age-based and seniority-based respect. About 42 percent of women experienced or witnessed ageism, while the figure for men was 37 percent, which is a reflection of how ageism in the workplace is intertwined with other dimensions of diversity.

Employees of Indian MNCs (Indian companies with a global presence) reported higher cases of age-discrimination, with 41 per cent of them confirming that they faced age-related bias. On the other hand, 29 per cent of the respondents from MNCs headquartered outside India agreed that there is age-related bias in their workplace.

The impact of ageism extends to workplace inclusion, with 80 per cent of respondents feeling they can be their true selves in the workplace, but younger workers (under 35) report a lower sense of inclusion (73 per cent) than their older counterparts (87 per cent).