Ageism means that older people’s skills, experience and potential are not fully made use of, argues the Swedish government.
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“Beyond being negative for the individual, it is damaging for Sweden. A society that makes use of the skills of all age groups helps strengthen the individual’s opportunities to fully participate in the labour market and also strengthens Sweden’s competitiveness.”
“That is why it is crucial that employees have the knowledge and tools to prevent ageism and to promote older workers,” says a joint statement from the three government ministers who set up the council.
They are: Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje, Minister of Equality Nina Larsson and Minister for Public Administration Erik Slottner.
“It’s an enormous waste when we retire the most experienced of our workers in a lazy way.
“Rather than asking when it is time to retire, more employers ought to ask themselves: What can we do and what is needed to make people want to work one or two more years?
“It is extremely important to change attitudes and for more employers to realise the enormous resource senior workers represent,” says Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje.
“Age discrimination in the labour market affects both women and men, but in slightly different ways.
“Women, for instance, often leave the workforce earlier, face greater difficulties when it comes to career development and find it harder to return after a break from working life,” says Minister of Equality Nina Larsson.
