IT workers say discrimination against older people a problem

18:10 9th December 2008

Those working within the IT sector feel that the industry is ageist, reveals a survey by silicon.com.

Silicon.com's 2008 Skills Survey showed that 52 per cent of those who were questioned said they agreed or strongly agreed that the IT industry was ageist.

Just under half disagreed or strongly disagreed that IT employers had no problem in employing staff aged 40 or over while under 30 per cent held the opposing view.

Age discrimination in the workplace was made illegal in October 2006 however, according to silicon.com respondents: "Almost a third [of respondents] disagreed or strongly disagreed that the legislation has had a positive impact - and only less than a fifth (17 per cent) saying things have got better for 40+ techies."

Research by the Employers Forum on Age found that 16.6 million Brits (61 per cent) in employment believe they have experienced or witnessed ageist behaviour while at work.