Lifespan perspectives on age-related stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination at work (and beyond)

The study of ageist attitudes at work is of critical concern today given that the workforce is not only rapidly aging, but also becoming increasingly age-diverse. Our chapter addresses the operationalization of ageist attitudes via their component forms of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination toward individuals across the lifespan of their working career. We first address the nature of attitudes, and, more specifically, the nature of ageist attitudes, before presenting our review of the extant literature on stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination that have been found to exist toward workers across the lifespan. Further, and drawing on lifespan developmental theory, we highlight the impact of these ageist attitudes on the individual at work, and beyond, and call for greater understanding of the means through which ageism becomes institutionalized in the workplace.