Press Release
Human Rights Commission
Embargoed for publication Monday October 30
Report reveals bias against short listing older workers
Employers may be at substantial legal risk from age discrimination when short-listing applicants for jobs, warns EEO
Commissioner, Dr Judy McGregor.
New research commissioned for the Human Rights Commission shows that 25 year olds are six to 12 times more likely to be
short listed than 55 year olds for human resource positions and six to 10 times more likely to be short listed for sales
positions. Recruiters also compound age discrimination effects in short listing in these areas.
“The results show that either consciously or unconsciously age is being used to screen out otherwise suitable applicants
which is incredibly short-sighted in terms of the labour market skills shortage, the available talents of mature workers
and the value of their experience”, she said.
She was commenting on research undertaken by Professor Marie Wilson of the University of Auckland Business School and
graduate student Jordan Kan that looked at barriers for entry into employment for older job applicants in three
sectors-sales, human resources administration and nursing.
Part of the research used similar written applications for 75 advertised positions. The only difference in the
applications was the age of the candidate and three age bands were used: 25plus, 40plus and 55plus. All of the “pretend”
applications were European/Pakeha men with "ordinary" first and surnames. The candidates were equivalent in their
recent, relevant experience and education. If a broader or lengthier working experience was relevant, then older workers
would be preferred.
However the study showed that older candidates - both those aged 40 plus and 55 plus years - were rated far behind their
younger counterparts in sales and human resource administration. Older women also suffer slightly more disadvantage,
according to the study. In nursing, while employers may harbour preferences for younger applicants, the acute labour
shortage meant that the age factor was moderated by scarcity and older nurses as well as younger nurses received
positive responses to job applications.
In discussions with potential employers during the research the key factor that differentiated older and younger
employees was the assumed flexibility and adaptability of younger workers. The youngest applicants were described as
“trainable”, easy to “get up to speed” and “go-getters”. Applicants aged 40 were described as “settled” and older
applicants were described as “set in their ways”.
One employer responded to three similar applicants differentiated by age only in the following way- he invited the
youngest applicant in for a chat about whether he wanted to train for the post, the middle aged candidate was told his
“experience was not relevant” and the 55 year old candidate was told his “qualifications didn’t meet the requirements of
the company” despite no qualifications being specified.
Professor Wilson said the research showed that “rationales for discriminatory selection are stereotypical, incorrect and
very openly expressed, demonstrating limited awareness of ageism in employment, even amongst recruitment and selection
professionals.”
Jobs with high, medium and low skill shortages were chosen for study including nursing, sales and human resource
administration. A variety of methods such as a field experiment, simulation and interviews were used to assess employer
preferences (were the applicants seen as suitable), employment outcomes (were applicants short-listed) and employer
rationales (why were some candidates preferred over others).
Professor Wilson said the research showed that younger workers were seen as more suitable and were significantly more
likely to be short-listed. She said the research served as a reminder that employment discrimination may be a continuing
problem at a time when no employer can afford to over look talent. “Not hiring on the basis of age is not just bad
business, it is clearly illegal” she said.
+ Barriers to entry for the older worker, new research commissioned by the Human Rights Commission and conducted by
Professor Marie Wilson and Jordan Kan of the University of Auckland Business School. For a copy see www.hrc.co.nz (News and Issues)
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