In 2020, a group of 71 agencies made a three-year pledge to increase Black leadership levels to fall in line with the Black population in the United States—13%. After one year of discussions and work, 22 agencies remained part of the pledge. On November 2023, a follow up article in AdWeek pointed out that 90% of agency leaders were white.
So, what does that have to do with aging?
There were two interesting tests for bias, proposed by Joan Williams of Bias Interrupters which apply to age discrimination as well:
1️⃣ The first test is to make a list of the 10 most visible projects in your agency. If you have the same people doing them, then you have a bias. 👉 How many are 55+?
2️⃣ The second test: is to review who has not been promoted within the last two to three years. 👉 How many are 55+?
Document your findings.
If you notice a bias, and you work in a large company with a formal DEI officer, contact them nicely, but firmly, about your findings.
If your company does not have a formal DEI office, contact HR or the CEO about your findings.
And… we can’t stress this enough, ☝️ contact them nicely 👍.
Make your case as to why you should be included.
Want a sounding board? Want to get much more involved? Drop me an email: msalup@yourgraymatters.org