Fostering Positive Views About Older Workers and Reducing Age Discrimination: A Retest of the Workplace Intergenerational Contact and Knowledge Sharing Model. (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lagacé, Martine; Van De Beeck, Lise; Bergeron, Caroline D.; Rodrigues-Rouleau, Philippe
• Other Names: Ayalon Liat guest-editor.; Kydd Angela guest-editor.; Hopf Stefan guest-editor.; Mannheim Ittay guest-editor.; Casal-Sanchez Lola guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied gerontology. Volume 42:Number 6(2023)
• Page Start: 1223
• Page End: 1233
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: ageism -- employment -- intergenerational relations -- quantitative methods; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 362.6
• DOI: 10.1177/07334648231163840
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0733-4648

Abstract

Ageism toward older workers is prevalent in the labor market. The present study aimed to understand psychosocial mechanisms that may counteract this form of discrimination and help retain workers in the labor force. Using a sample of 500 Canadian younger and older workers, this study tested a model hypothesizing that intergenerational contacts and knowledge sharing practices can reduce ageist views about older adults and age-based discrimination against one's own group, and in turn, enhance work engagement and intentions to remain in the workplace. The final model shows that knowledge sharing practices mediate the relationship between intergroup contacts and positive views about older workers as well as age-based discrimination. It also suggests that low levels of age-based discrimination increase work engagement and intentions to remain in the organization for workers of all ages. Practice and policy implications are discussed.