Ageism, age relations, and garment industry work in Montreal

This study examined the complexities of age relations at work. Garment work ers believed that their fate was linked to ageism and that their work exper ience was discounted by management. Managers wanted to be rid of older work ers because they commanded higher wages than younger workers. The issue was cost reduction, and age was implicated unintendedly. Still, managers seeme d to use stereotypical images to discourage older workers and they did not organize work routines to facilitate the adaptation of them. Instead, they subcontracted the easy jobs, relying on the experience of the older employe es for difficult work while not adapting the workplace. Theoretically, the authors argue that ageism and age discrimination can best be understood thr ough a recognition of the importance of structured age relations and human agency.