Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative Seeding Grant Attitudes to age in Australia Professor Peter Gahan Dr Joshua Healy Dr Raymond Harbridge Dr Ruth Williams Monica Pham

Attitudes to age in Australia Progress to date: Ethics approval Survey developed & conducted Research Assistant hired Preliminary analysis Draft report Conference presentations x 2

Survey Three ageism scales (FSA, SIC, SCM) + respondent demographics (sex, age, location, emp. status, education, NESB) 1000 participants, aged 18-70 yrs, across Australia Sample representative of the in-scope population By sex and age (20% <30yrs; 45% 30-50yrs; 35% >50yrs) By State and metro/non-metro (34% non-metro) Some over-sampling of those not employed (esp. if older) Completion by phone (55%) or online (45%)

SIC scale Succession, Identity and Consumption scale (SIC) (North & Fiske, 2013) Three sub-dimensions: Succession – ‘Most older people don’t know when to make way for younger people.’ Identity – ‘Older people shouldn’t even try to act cool.’ Consumption – ‘Older people are too big a burden on the health care system.’

Overall SIC sub-scale (scale 1-6) Fieldwork by Wallis Market and Social Research Data collected from May to July 2016 Contact initiated by Wallis via random digit dialling Completion either by phone (55%) or online (45%)

SIC – Means of the 20 Items (scale 1 – 6)

Differences by age (scale 1-6) Fieldwork by Wallis Market and Social Research Data collected from May to July 2016 Contact initiated by Wallis via random digit dialling Completion either by phone (55%) or online (45%)

Differences by gender (scale 1-6) Fieldwork by Wallis Market and Social Research Data collected from May to July 2016 Contact initiated by Wallis via random digit dialling Completion either by phone (55%) or online (45%)

Differences by Education level (scale 1-6) Fieldwork by Wallis Market and Social Research Data collected from May to July 2016 Contact initiated by Wallis via random digit dialling Completion either by phone (55%) or online (45%)

Conclusions & Implications Few Australians hold resolutely ageist views Even fewer actively shun or avoid older people Far more hold succession-based ageist views Higher if: male, younger, NESB, not employed Evidence of intergenerational tension Perception older Australians not relinquishing control of ‘enviable resources & societal positions’ quickly enough Closely tied labour market (& housing?) opportunities Paradox of older workers feeling shut-out & disadvantaged

Next steps – further analysis The strength of ageism within the three scales Multi-factor differences (e.g. age & gender) Differences between on-line & telephone answers Whether the age composition of postcodes affect attitudes? Do attitudes about age shape behaviours towards older workers in recruitment and at work? e.g. task assignment, team formation, access to flexible work arrangements, succession planning etc.

Next steps Targeted conference paper for the Academy of Management Conference (by early Jan 2017)- if accepted then submission to Academy Journal Report by Feb 2017 Visiting International expert, Michael North Feb 2017 ARC linkage grant application June 2017 – focus on attitudes to age in the workplace

Thank you