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Help Really Wanted? The Impact of Age Stereotypes in Job Ads on Applications from Older Workers

3:00pm - 4:00pm / Wednesday 11th October 2023 / Venue: Events Space, Ground Floor Zoom Password: !Qd4W^H= School of Law & Social Justice / Online event
Type: Seminar / Category: Department
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Join us for the inaugural seminar for the Centre for Ageing and the Life Course with Professor Ian Burn as he uncovers age discrimination in labour market for older workers.


Have you ever wondered whether the words used in job ads influence who actually applies? Professor Burn is bringing us some fascinating research that gets right to the heart of this question. We already know from previous studies that older job seekers face discrimination. But have you ever considered the impact of the language used in job ads? Taking real job ads as their inspiration, Professor Burns and his team employed machine learning techniques to create ads that randomly include or exclude ageist language connected to age-related stereotypes. Interestingly, it turns out that the language used in job ads, which relates to ageist stereotypes, can discourage older workers from pursuing job opportunities. This holds true even when the language isn't overtly or explicitly about age. This effect on the hiring of older workers can be just as significant as direct age-based discrimination in the hiring process. Feel welcome to join us and discover how the words we choose can shape the job market and foster a more age-friendly inclusive society.