Figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) have shown a rise of 40% in anti-ageing treatments due to facial ageing workers' perception of not being respected, or able to advance their chosen career, because they look older.
Although the EU Employment Framework for age discrimination, due to be implemented in October 2006, will make it illegal to discriminate against age, psychologists say older workers now feel that looking older means less respect in a competitive work environment.
Reports from renowned cosmetic surgery organisations show the following trends:
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Eyelid surgery to remove wrinkled skin and bags around the eyes increased by 50%.
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Brow lifts increased by 35%.
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The Harley Medical Group report "silver surgery" to be booming.
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The proportion of 50-year-olds having surgery in The Harley Medical Group clinics has quadrupled in the past five years. Almost half of those people said they wanted to remain a player in the workplace.
Dr Norman Waterhouse, a Harley Street face-lift specialist with 28 years' experience, said:
"Policewomen and teachers come to me. People who would not have come to me 15 or 20 years ago are now requesting treatments.
"We are all going to be working longer. As we get older we all have to make sure we are presentable. Where once we would have had a haircut, we now consider surgery as a realistic option."
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) carried out a recent study on age discrimination and reported the following:
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More than half of respondents felt they had been personally disadvantaged at work because of age discrimination.
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39% believed that their chances of promotion had been hindered by age discrimination.
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Staff between the ages of 30 and 39 were considered to have the best promotion prospects.
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Opportunities fell sharply for the over-50s.
Blaming the rise in plastic surgery face-lifts on psychology in business and impression management, Professor Chris Warhurst of Strathclyde Business School said:
"The business press exhorts professionals to look their best. This used to mean dress, body language and comportment, and plastic surgery is an extension of that.
"While youth and good looks are important in services that have direct contact with customers, the effects are discernible across all occupations."
Further information on the Age Discrimination Legislation can be accessed from the DTI Website, by clicking the following:
Article by Alexandra Johnston
