When organizations develop and implement their DEI initiatives, many include policies or protocols around race, gender, and whether an individual identifies as LGBTQ+. Often what is missing is dialogue around age—especially in the tech industry. DEI initiatives need to embrace our most senior workers, who are often not considered as valuable to the organization as younger generations.

Jennie Yang, vice president of people at 15Five.

A recent McKinsey report on ageism acknowledges a consistent pattern of bias against workers aged 45 and older. In our own recent third-party survey on generational disparities, we uncovered some troubling data. The survey, which polled 1,000 adults working across industries and geographies, confirmed the prevalence of ageism in the workplace. People over the age of 45 reported that they are more likely to have an employer who doesn't provide any professional development resources: 47.1% acknowledged they aren't given these resources, compared to 27.3% of those under the age of 45.