10 States Where Workplace Ageism Is the Worst
While ageism, or age-based discrimination, remains a nationwide issue, its prevalence varies across states. According to a recent analysis of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) data by lawyers from Eldessouky Law, certain states stand out for their particularly high incidence of age discrimination in the workplace.
Older generations living in these hot spot states for ageism experience a frustratingly higher number of discrimination charges compared to the national average.
Methodology
Attorneys with Eldessouky Law combed EEOC data to find cases of age-based discrimination by state. The analysis included the total number of charges in 2022 and the increase in charges from 2012 to 2021.
1: Texas
Texas saw 1,273 age-based discrimination charges filed in 2022, which is nearly six times the national average. Though ageism is still rampant in the Lone Star State, it has been decreasing. 2022 saw a 36% drop in age-based discrimination charges over 2012.
2: Florida
In 2022, 782 age-based discrimination charges were filed in Florida. While that number is still well above the national average, it’s a massive improvement overall. Florida’s 2012 numbers were 54% higher.
3: Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 695 age-based discrimination charges were filed in 2022. The Keystone State saw a 49% drop in such charges from 2012 to 2022.
4: California
According to Eldessouky’s attorneys, California had a 34% drop in age-based discrimination charges from 2021 to 2022. The number of charges in 2022 was 659 vs. 1,010 in 2021.
5: Illinois
There was a 61% decrease in age-based discrimination charges from 2012 to 2021 in Illinois. In 2022, Illinois’s ageism continued to decrease with 650 age-based discrimination charges.
6: North Carolina
North Carolina has seen a significant decrease in age-based discrimination charges over the years, but the number is still high. In 2022, the Tar Heel State had 587 charges.
7: Georgia
Georgia had 581 age-based discrimination charges in 2022. However, state legislators are pushing for more protection for older workers through the Protecting Older Americans Act.
8: Ohio
In 2022, 474 discrimination charges were filed in Ohio. While the Buckeye State has laws that go beyond federal legislation to prevent ageism, there seems to be more work to do.
9: New York
New York’s Human Rights Law goes beyond the federal laws protecting against ageism in the workplace. Still, the Empire State had 455 age-based discrimination charges filed in 2022.
10: Tennessee
Tennessee had 416 age-based discrimination charges in 2022. Interestingly, the median age in Tennessee is 39.1, slightly higher than the national median of 38.9, which points to an aging population.
The Least Ageist
Vermont only had four age-based discrimination charges in 2022. Vermont’s Fair Employment Practices Act protects anyone over 18 from age discrimination, which is far beyond the federal standard that only protects Americans over 40.
The Last Socially Acceptable Prejudice
According to the American Psychological Association, ageism is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices for Americans. Our society sees aging as something to avoid at all costs, and America often puts value on being young, especially in the workplace.
Aging Has Benefits
However, the idea that youth is to be valued above all else is flawed. While being young comes with perks, older Americans may have more skills and positive attributes than their younger counterparts.
Better in Many Ways
Studies show skills like the ability to ignore distractions and focus attention increase with age. Older adults are also typically more agreeable, more conscientious, and better at regulating their emotions.
The Happiness Curve
There’s also something known as the “Happiness Curve,” which shows Americans tend to grow happier as they get older. As people age, they’re more likely to say they’re satisfied with life overall.
Better Employees
Americans may also become decidedly better employees with each year of life. The Columbia School of Public Health did research on older adults working in small businesses in New York and found these employees were better than their younger colleagues in many ways.
More Skilled
Older Americans have had more time to build skills, making them more valuable employees. The one area older adults may struggle with is emerging tech, but many businesses report finding ways to work around those deficits is more than worth it.
Fewer Days Off
Americans over forty are less likely to take days off than younger employees. They’re also more likely to stay in their job. The median tenure for Americans over 55 was 10.4 years, while the median tenure for those under 34 was only three.
Strong Work Ethic
Among the small business owners interviewed, many reported that their older employees had a stronger work ethic. They said they were more likely to come in early and remain focused throughout a shift.
Larger Networks
The older you are, the more time you’ve had to build and maintain a network of business relationships. These relationships have likely grown stronger over the years, which makes them even more valuable to the company.
Better Customer Service
Older workers also seem better at tailored customer service than younger workers. This is partly because older workers have usually been with the same company for a longer amount of time, allowing them to get to know their customer base in a way younger employees haven’t.
Mixed Age Teams are More Productive
Multi-generational teams may be the best thing for companies to have. Research suggests that mixed-age teams are more productive. They’re also a great way for older employees to pass on knowledge to younger workers.
11 Things That Disappear When You Retire
A survey by Lincoln Financial Group says 60% of retirees would go back in time if they could and change how they planned their retirement during their working years. Whether good or bad, these are some of the things that disappear upon retiring.
11 Things That Disappear When You Retire
50 Weirdest Laws in Each State
Most Americans are clear on treating thy neighbor as they’d want to be treated to reduce the chance of fines and jail time. But did you know you could be breaking the law by carrying an ice cream cone in your pocket? These are the weirdest laws in each state, most of which courts don’t enforce.
