Don’t Forget About Ageism, with guest Mary Jane Roy

The People Impact Podcast

Ageing is the one thing we all share in common, if we’re lucky enough to have a long life. But is this on your radar for improving the diversity and inclusivity of your teams?

This is a conversation with Mary Jane Roy, who is into her 50th career year. Her career – so far – has spanned from being a nursing officer in the Canadian Armed Forces to a corporate career and independent consulting.

It was only recent that she first realised the effect ageing has on careers and the workplace – even already being in that age group herself. A ubiquitous example is the standard clause: “Your contract will end on your pensionable age date.” That means that at your pensionable age, you will automatically be out of a job; a policy that is rarely questioned.

DEI strategies in most workplaces do not focus on ageing and ageism. Research from 8 years ago (yes it hasn’t even been researched more recently) found that only 8% of DEI strategies include ageism.

Why would you want to?

• People are living longer, healthier lives. We continue to learn throughout our lives, in different ways, as there are two kinds of learning and processing knowledge: fluid (up to around the age of 25) and crystallised intelligence.
• The workforce needs this group. Even in this tight job market, managers are significantly less willing to hire older employees.
• People are being denied career development opportunities because they’re ‘too old’ when they may have another 15-20 career years ahead of them, with pension eligibility being extended further and further.
• Just like with other dimensions of diversity, multigenerational teams are more productive and innovative.

“Don’t cast the paintbrush over the whole group,” Mary Jane says. We all age so differently. Many people are still active as they age and want to be part of creating the future, for their grandchildren and others. People want to have the choice to do economically visible and active work.

So, have conversations with individuals. Listen with an open, interactive mindset - embracing this part of life. Find out what they look forward to in their lives.

Referenced in this episode:

• 'Employing Older Workers Is Beneficial' https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/08/older-workers-employment-oecd-economies/
• 'Does Your Company’s Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Strategy Include This Critical Element?' https://www.forbes.com/sites/sheilacallaham/2022/01/31/does-your-companys-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-strategy-include-this-critical-element/?sh=2165889f4fbf
• 'Ageism: the forgotten pillar of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategies' https://janehoran.medium.com/ageism-the-forgotten-pillar-of-dei-strategies-8758008f403

More about Mary Jane Roy:

• As consultant with Creating Waves https://creatingwaves.nl/about/
• As Thought Leader with the Wize Move Society https://wizemovesociety.com/about-us/