Presentation as part of FOSS

Edge, Clare

doi:10.17866/rd.salford.27890973.v1

Presentation as part of FOSS

Edge, Clare

Authors

Dr Clare Edge C.E.Edge1@salford.ac.uk
Lecturer

Abstract

This session highlighted research through a presentation including a short film, and Q and A exploring ageing women’s experiences of the barriers to digital engagement in the workplace. Intergenerational barriers and perceptions of older women being less able to keep up with changes in technology in the workplace have been highlighted in a study carried out in the North- West of England in 2023. Women aged 50-64 years old had the highest sickness absence group of all ages in UK with absence due to stress being most likely in this group

What’s it about?
There was a common perception that younger colleagues who have been brought up with technology find the transition to more modern technology much less challenging than older generations and this was perceived to be a barrier to well-being. This event aims to create a discourse around the narrative surrounding perceptions and some stereotypes of older women and technology:

“You've got to move with the times. It's like the dinosaurs, isn't it? You've got to move on or you're extinct.”

“I wasn't brought up with phones…I wasn't brought up with computers. We were pens and pencils, you know?…I'll get a 26-year-old saying to me you you're alright with these computers, aren't you? You're not doing bad, and I think that's quite patronizing sometimes.”