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Gender Diversity + Experience = Profits

Gender Diversity + Experience = Profits:

Why employers need older workers

Written by Kristin Donner
Edited by Kyle Neswald

The perceived and actual value of experienced (a.k.a. older) workers - and experienced female workers in particular - is receiving increasing press across various industries. Here, we highlight several compelling articles that stoke the fire under this hot topic:

"There’s a strong business case for a workforce that brings different experiences, skills, and ideas as well as mindsets to the table," reports Bonnie Marcus for FAST COMPANY. Recent research backs this up. According to McKinsey & Company's 2018 report, "companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on their executive teams were 21 percent more likely to experience above-average profitability." 

Problem: many experienced women are still seeing their roles diminished, while their male counterparts thrive. Cartoon Brew sums up the radiating effects of this discrimination; "when women stay away from [higher-up creative] roles, half of society’s voice remains underrepresented in Hollywood’s (globally influential) productions." 

This week, FAST COMPANY reported on the battle that news outlet NY1's female anchors are waging against age and gender discrimination in their workplace. "I’ve covered thousands of stories and received dozens of awards, including two Emmys, one of which was just awarded this year," states Roma Torre, NY1 news anchor. "At 61 years old, I feel as though I am in the prime of my career. And yet somehow, at the same time, everything is now starting to unravel." After discrimination reports filed with human resources and supervisors were glossed over or outright mocked, Torre and a brave band of female colleagues hired their own lawyers. The wide public support they're now receiving shows how well these experienced anchors are valued outside the tiny, yet powerful, world of workplace politics.

Employers should pay attention to public opinion. Why? Profits make a compelling argument, and the case for senior women is strong.

Women influence more than 85% of all purchasing decisions. In 2016, Visa reported that consumers over 50 account for more than half of U.S. spending.  -Bonnie Marcus, FAST COMPANY

Solutions: The #SeeHer campaign started in 2016 with the goal of representing diversity in advertising, particularly in the portrayal of women of all ages. "It stands to reason," states the Association of National Advertisers, "that more women and girls will be inspired to reach their potential when the ads and programming they see reflects who they really are."  

As animators, we have more influence than we realize. According to H. R. Moody, "[t]he image of old age purveyed by mass media has a profound effect on attitudes toward aging in all industrialized societies." Our choices in character design and storytelling can literally change the world. 

...imagine what aging would be like once we free ourselves from the negative beliefs about it. -M. Cruikshank, Aging with Disney and the Gendering of Evil

Employers, supervisors, and co-workers can benefit by looking at experienced workers as a potential asset, rather than a risk. Experienced workers have mastered the production pipeline, can anticipate questions from overseas partner studios, and often have honed a variety of styles on multiple projects. "If you look at data on older individuals’ job performance and abilities, they get mind-blowingly better with age, especially in areas increasingly key to success, like interpersonal skills and teamwork," says Peter Cappelli, professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania. Life experience can help artists focus and achieve in the workplace. "Most moms in animation – whether they’re just getting into the industry or they’re leaders – they would not be where they are if they didn’t have a good work ethic," says artist Aliki Theofilopoulos. 

"We remember when we were fresh out of school, knew nothing and were given chances to work on something for the first time - and that doesn't often happen to the older worker. So perhaps younger members can give older workers 'a break' just like they would someone starting off in their career," suggests artist Lee Crowe, in the June 2019 issue of Keyframe. A diverse crew is a strong crew. Rich worlds and engaging characters are well-fed by diverse voices. And some of those diverse voices should be experienced.

Together, older and younger members can establish a supportive network that benefits everyone. -Lee Crowe, Keyframe

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