Over Two-Thirds Say Age Puts Them at a Disadvantage in Job Searches
A staggering 78% of Baby Boomers (ages 60-78) believe their age would be a contributing factor when being considered for a new position, according to the latest ASA Workforce Monitor® study commissioned by the American Staffing Association and conducted online by The Harris Poll.
By comparison, 55% of Gen Z (ages 18-27) feel this way, along with 51% of Gen X (ages 44-59), and 39% of Millennials (ages 28-43).
The news comes as on the heels of data showing that nearly one-in-five (19%) U.S. adults aged 65 and older were employed last year—close to double the number from 35 years ago.
The survey also found that two-thirds of Baby Boomers (68%) believe their age puts them at a disadvantage when finding a new job, compared with 53% of Gen X, 29% of Millennials, and 48% of Gen Z.
Overall, a majority of Baby Boomers (53%) say their age limits their career opportunities. Employed Baby Boomers are also less likely (42%) to ask for a raise in 2024, compared with their younger employed counterparts: 66% of Gen Z, 67% of Millennials, and 51% of Gen X . The Boomer generation is also far less likely to search for a new job in 2024 (21%) compared with their younger counterparts (Gen Z: 69%; Millennial: 50%; Gen X: 37%.)
“It’s time for a paradigm shift in how the U.S. labor market views older workers,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer at the American Staffing Association. “Discrimination based on age is illegal and cannot be tolerated. But routing out persistent and growing ageism requires much more than stepped-up legal enforcement.
“Policy makers and HR leaders need to work together to correct and overcome the misconceptions, stereotypes, and biases—conscious and unconscious—of the past. Mature workers have the knowledge as well as the workplace skills accumulated over a lifetime that America needs today and will need even more in the future.”
Method
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of ASA from January 5–9, 2024 among 2,094 adults ages 18 and older, of whom 1, 294 were employed. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Megan Sweeney at 703-253-1151.
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About the American Staffing Association (ASA)
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. For more information about ASA, visit americanstaffing.net.
About the ASA Workforce Monitor
The ASA Workforce Monitor® is a periodic survey commissioned by ASA and conducted online by The Harris Poll among 2,000 or more U.S. adults age 18 and older. The survey series focuses on current workforce trends and issues. For more information about the survey series, visit americanstaffing.net/workforcemonitor.
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963. It is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. They work with clients in three primary areas: building 21st century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Their mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. Learn more by visiting theharrispoll.com and follow The Harris Poll on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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