Ageism as a form of occupational discrimination: A sociological conceptualization

Abstract

The article is focused on the problem of occupational discrimination, with a specific focus on ageism as a prominent manifestation in contemporary workplaces, and its social effects. The article discusses two age categories of employees (the elderly and the youth) who most often experience ageism in the management practice of Russian companies. The conceptualization of ageism as a sociological problem includes a classification of its typical features. A key factor driving ageism is the pension age reform which causes mixed reactions in society. Employers’ discriminatory practices correlate with the legal and regulatory frameworks governing labor relations. The methodological section reviews the results of sociological research by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) and independent sociological organizations that study ageism. The article argues that current recruitment practices, employee retention strategies, and rotation mechanisms in Russian organizations remain suboptimal and require further improvement. The negative social effects of ageism intensify tension in Russian society and the labor market, which together disrupts social balance in the context of economic instability and social challenges. Developing constructive solutions and modern strategies to combat ageism and broader occupational discrimination is essential for advancing interdisciplinary research in this field.