Age Discrimination and Age Stereotypes in Job Ads

RePEc Short ID: pfi355
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9219-6263

Burn, Ian; Firoozi, Daniel; Ladd, Daniel; Neumark, David

Journal Article

Age Discrimination and Age Stereotypes in Job Ads

Abstract: Studies suggest that employers discriminate against older workers in hiring, responding less favorably to equally qualified job applicants who are older. Employers may also limit hiring of older workers by including age stereotypes in job ads that signal a preference for younger workers. Evidence from an experimental study shows that older workers are less likely to apply to job advertisements that contain language with ageist stereotypes. The results indicate that this impact is comparable to the direct effects of employer age discrimination in hiring decisions.

Keywords: discrimination; older workers; hiring;