“Older” hotel employees’ perceptions of workplace equality in the UK and Ireland

The population of Europe is ageing. This has repercussions for the hotel industry which has traditionally relied on “younger” workers. Research has demonstrated that more people suffer from age discrimination than any other form of discrimination. Yet, despite a growth of literature concerning workplace equality for “older” people in recent years, there remains a dearth of research into workplace equality in hotels concerning “older” employees. This article attempts to address this gap in knowledge by discussing the views of “older” workers in hotels. This paper will outline the rationale for the study, examine theories of workplace equality, discuss population ageing and its impact on employment and present findings from interviews with “older” hotel workers in the UK and Ireland concerning workplace equality. The paper will conclude by relating theories on workplace equality to the findings of interviews with “older” hotel employees and will give recommendations for further research.