In a world where innovation and fresh ideas are at the heart of the creative industry, the focus on youth can sometimes create a narrow view of what ‘cutting-edge’ means. While younger voices are often valued for their new perspectives, this emphasis can unintentionally overshadow the value of experience. Professionals over 40 bring decades of insight, stability, and a diversity of perspectives that are crucial to impactful creativity. But many still face bias, seen as less adaptable or “in touch,” even though adaptability is about attitude, not age. The truth is that older professionals regularly prove they can keep up, learn new skills, and continue to innovate alongside their younger colleagues.
How Ageism Appears in Creative Workplaces
In the creative sector, ageism often shows up in subtle but significant ways:
- Hiring Bias: Job postings often seek “digital natives” or describe roles as ideal for “energetic” applicants, sending a clear signal that younger professionals are preferred. Roles are also sometimes tailored to entry-level salaries, limiting opportunities for experienced professionals who may be “overqualified.”
- Promotion and Pay Gaps: Older professionals sometimes face barriers to promotions and fair pay, even when highly qualified. Companies may hesitate to adjust salaries to match years of experience, further reinforcing an age gap.
- Workplace Culture and Exclusion: Creative workplaces can be centred around youth culture, from pop culture references to social events geared towards younger employees. This can lead older employees to feel isolated, ultimately affecting morale, collaboration, and retention.
- Stereotypes About Adaptability: Older workers often face the assumption that they’re less tech-savvy or adaptable. This overlooks the fact that many professionals over 40 actively learn new digital tools, often bringing insights that complement newer approaches.
Why Experience Is a Game-Changer
Experience in creative industries offers invaluable stability, context, and long-standing insights into client needs and trends. Older professionals have unique networks, historical perspectives, and skills that bring depth to projects and campaigns. Plus, a mix of ages on teams brings a diversity of ideas and values that helps resonate with broad, diverse audiences – something brands strive to achieve.
Making Changes to Address Ageism
Tackling ageism requires a proactive effort within creative industries. Here’s how companies can start:
- Encourage Mentorship and Collaboration: Creating intergenerational mentorship programs promotes knowledge-sharing and benefits everyone. While younger team members contribute new trends, seasoned professionals bring strategies and guidance.
- Prioritise Skills, Not Age: Focus job descriptions on skills and competencies rather than age-coded terms. By doing so, companies widen their talent pool and reduce assumptions based on age.
- Promote Continuous Learning for All: Providing regular learning opportunities – through workshops, certifications, or access to new tools, empowers everyone to keep up with advancements and breaks down stereotypes around tech fluency.
- Address Age Bias: Age bias, like all forms of bias, should be addressed in diversity and inclusion policies. Regular audits of hiring and retention practices help ensure fair treatment for employees of all ages.
- Celebrate Experience: Highlighting the achievements of seasoned team members and telling their stories can inspire others and foster a workplace culture that values experience.
Looking Ahead: Building a More Inclusive Industry
As conversations around diversity and inclusion evolve, age diversity is finally getting the attention it deserves. Creative industries thrive on different perspectives and fostering environments that value experience and fresh ideas alike is essential to building impactful, resonant work. By championing talent across generations, the creative sector can harness its full potential, creating spaces where every generation can thrive.
Ageism has no place in an industry built on the strength of ideas and connection. Let’s work toward a future where the creative world is truly inclusive, vibrant, and ageless.
