Retail sales staff are more likely to face age discrimination than workers in other professions, according to employment law experts.
A new comprehensive study by Croner has found that sales representatives top the league table of occupations believed to be most at risk of age discrimination.
The survey was conducted among 10,000 human resources directors and managers at businesses of all sizes across many sectors.
Six in 10 employers surveyed said that bosses looking to fill a role in which the prospective employee will work with customers make their decision based on a person’s age.
The construction industry followed closely, with 50% claiming the sector’s 1.4 million workers are hired based off their perceived youthful stamina.
Meanwhile, four in 10 employers said wait staff were most at risk of age discrimination.
With new age discrimination regulations set to take effect later this year, Croner warned that some professions could be due for a shock.
“It’s not exactly surprising that jobs considered to be most at risk from age discrimination are those traditionally associated with physical appearance and exertion,” said Richard Smith, employment services director at Croner.
“This is a reflection of our society which links youthfulness to energy, attractiveness and sometimes even ability. But attitudes toward more mature people are changing. This combined with longer life expectancy means we now have a new ‘older generation’ who have just as much to offer society as they ever did.”
In addition to banning age discrimination in employment and vocational training, the new laws will employers who set their default retirement age below 65 to either justify or change it.
Bosses will also have to consider employee requests to continue working beyond retirement and notify employees in writing at least six months in advance of their intended retirement date so as to give them time to plan.
