Building on Intergenerational Climate to Counter Ageism in the Workplace? A Cross-Organizational Study

Let’s Work Together: Assessing the Impact of Intergenerational Dynamics on Young Workers’ Ageism Awareness and Job Satisfaction

“…The goal of the current study is to determine the impact of age-based intergroup relations in the workplace on younger workers' ageism awareness targeting older peers. In continuity with findings from previous studies (Iweins et al, 2013;Lagacé et al, 2019), and relying on ICT's postulates, it is expected that a positive perception of the workplace intergenerational climate and knowledge-sharing practices will increase younger workers' awareness of ageist attitudes targeting older peers. In turn, such awareness will have a positive effect on job satisfaction.…”

“…Within the Canadian context, results of a study conducted among older workers (Lagacé, Van de Beeck, & Firzly, 2019) suggest that positive perception of an intergenerational work climate reduces older workers' feeling of being the target of ageist practices; in turn, this leads to greater job satisfaction. In this study, workplace intergenerational climate relates to workers' attitudes and perceptions about ages and generations in the workplace (King & Bryant, 2016) whereas satisfaction relates to workers' affective or attitudinal reaction to a job (Spector, 1985).…”

“…First, data analyses consisted in retrieving the underlying structure of each scale using CFA structure based on previous results (Lagacé et al, 2019). Descriptive statistics and correlational analyses were then completed (see Table 2).…”

Contemporary Perspectives on Ageism. Liat Ayalon & Clemens Tesch‐Römer (Eds.). 2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. ISBN 978‐3‐319‐73819‐2. $59.99. Hardcover.

“…For example, pity and sympathy are expressed toward members of groups who are perceived as sincere and kind but as having no ability to achieve their goal(s) (Fiske et al, ). Interestingly, affective reactions such as pity or those that rely on asymmetrical relationships mirror the ageist stereotypes of frailty and uselessness (Lagacé, Van den Beeck, & Firzly, ).…”

“…The efficiency of intergroup contacts in reducing prejudice has been tested mostly in regard to gender and race-based prejudice. However, studies related to ageist prejudice also suggest a significant and positive effect of age-based intergroup contacts (Iweins, Desmette, Yzerbit, & Stinglhamber, 2013;Lagacé et al, 2019). In other words, when the young meet the old and get to know one another, they become aware of each other's strengths, added value, and similarities.…”