Older workers eye cosmetic surgery to get jobs, promotions: survey

A survey by the Centre for Ageing Better found that around 20% of people aged 45 or older would consider Botox or dermal fillers to look younger if it improved their chances of securing a job or promotion. Additionally, 15% said they would consider plastic surgery, while 41% would dye their hair to appear more youthful.

Dr. Carole Easton, chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, described the findings as' dispiriting but understandable'. 

“It is so dispiriting to see the drastic steps that older workers are forced to consider in order to get a level playing field in the workplace. But it is also understandable that people are taking drastic action given that age and experience are so often viewed negatively and held against employees and job applicants,” she said.

The report also highlights the deep-seated challenges facing older workers. Labour market data shows that people aged 35 to 49 are more likely to be employed than those aged 50 to 64. Furthermore, research indicates that training opportunities and chances for re-employment drop sharply after age 50.

These fears of age discrimination appear well-founded. A separate study done by Age Without Limits found that 25% of people believe hiring someone over 50 does not make business sense because they think they are slower or less likely to adapt to a changing workplace. More than one in five respondents also believed that training older workers was a waste of resources, while one in three claimed that technological competence fades with age.

“The persistent and unfounded stereotypes around older workers are consigning too many people to the employment scrapheap with a third of their working lives still to go,” Dr. Easton said. “The reality is older workers are an asset and help an organization to be more productive and innovative.”

In an effort to combat these biases, the Centre has launched the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, which encourages organisations to build cultures where employees of all ages feel valued and supported.

“We cannot continue wasting the talent of older workers in this country,” said Harriet Bailiss, Co-head of the Age Without Limits campaign.