Aussie Tech Workers Find Age, Gender Bias

Twenty percent of respondents claimed they had experienced discrimination based on age at some time in their career, according to a ZD Net Australia report. Of those IT workers discriminated against due to their age, the survey found those 45 years or older to be the most likely victims.

Also common in the 2006 survey was sex discrimination, with 37% of female respondents claiming their gender had created workplace problems. These female respondents were “more likely” to be hourly contract workers or students, said the survey.

The level of age discrimination in the industry had fallen when compared with the 2004 survey though. Almost 30% of respondents to the 2004 survey had experienced age discrimination. This was not measured in the 2005 survey.

“As the population ages and skilled workers become scarcer it will be important to ensure workers do not face age discrimination,” said ACS in the survey. “We cannot afford to assume that people will be prepared to take the self-employed option to continue to meet the needs of employers.”

Over 900 ACS members completed the survey. The survey report is here .