The Union of Health and Social Care Professionals (Tehy) helps its members deal with age discrimination cases every week, and many of those cases end up in court, according to the union's chair, Millariikka Rytkönen.
On Friday, Rytkönen told Yle TV's Perjantai programme that she had been discriminated against due to a pregnancy in her mid 20s, resulting in her employer giving her a fixed-term contract.
"Women [are considered] pregnancy risks until we're nearly 50 years old, and now that I am 48, I'm a 'menopausal monster'," she explained.
Another guest on the Perjantai show was Harri Melin, a sociology emeritus professor who has studied age discrimination.
He explained that companies carefully consider the ages of job applicants and often prefer younger candidates.
Melin: 40s the sweet spot
The show's host, Sean Ricks, recently turned 40 and Melin said that he would be the ideal job candidate at that age, as he is also a man. But the clock is ticking, Melin warned.
"People in their 40s are the ideal candidate. They have accumulated experience and there are expectations that they will be working for another 30 years. They are prepared to learn new things and have potential to take on front-line positions," Melin explained.
"In the working world, the reality is that many people face discrimination by the time they turn 50. We think that old people don't learn new things, that they're inflexible, they are resistant to change and need higher salaries than younger people," Melin said.
On the other hand, age discrimination concerning young people is more about attitudes. According to Melin, younger workers can face employer doubts about their competence, their willingness to commit to the job, as well as fears that the employee will leave for another job at the first opportunity.
Attitude change needed
As Finland plans to raise the age of retirement, the assumption is that people will continue to work longer. But at the same time, people over 50 face increasing age discrimination. Melin said that a change in attitude is needed.
"Age discrimination cases need to be brought to court — as Millariikka does. But that is not enough," Melin said, adding that workplaces need to be staffed with people in a range of ages.
However, older employees also need to believe in themselves and be prepared to learn new things in order to avoid stereotypes about ageing becoming reality.
"We all need to constantly update and supplement our skill sets. There's a sense of hope when you — as a person and employee — are ready to develop and learn new things and realise that 'hey, I can do this,'" Melin explained.
Edited for clarity.