Stress 'less recognised' in older workers
08th June 2011
Older workers may be facing discrimination in the workplace as many employers and younger colleagues are putting signs of stress down to symptoms of ageing, one expert has claimed.
Ann Finnemore, a hypnotherapist and stress manager, said it is often harder for older people to get their stress and anxiety recognised and taken seriously.
She explained that many younger people see signs of stress, such as poor memory, difficulty sleeping and inability to concentrate, as characteristics of ageing in their older colleagues.
"When these occur in a younger person, stress is more likely to be identified as the cause than in an older person," she remarked.
Ms Finnemore also pointed out that although older people have more life experience to help them deal with stressful situations, new technology and methods of working mean it can be difficult for them to receive the right support.
Failure to recognise that older workers are under stress and to provide them with the help and support they need could be seen as workplace discrimination, particularly if stress in younger workers is taken more seriously.
However, ignoring signs of stress in younger employees could also see companies accused of discrimination.
According to a recent survey by GfK NOP Engage, younger workers are more likely to feel stressed or pressurised at work than their older colleagues.
Many of those questioned claimed they had been made to work longer hours or asked to do more work as a result of the economic downturn.
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