Age discrimination in the UK labour market. Does race moderate ageism? An experimental investigation

ABSTRACT

Governments encourage people to work longer in order that pension promises are sustainable as populations age. This approach presupposes that older workers are welcome in the market. This study undertakes a correspondence test to investigate whether ageism is prevalent in the UK at the initial stage of the hiring process. This study adds to the literature by investigating whether race can moderate the relationship between age and labour market outcomes. The results suggest that older people are penalized in the labour market. They have lower access to vacancies and sorting in lower-paid jobs. A minority racial background exacerbates both penalties. These new results call for anti-ageism and anti-racial policy actions in the workplace.

KEYWORDS:

• Ageism
• race
• access to occupations
• wages
• discrimination

JEL CLASSIFICATION:

• C93
• J14

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.