Etarismo e sua relação com o trabalho e com a saúde do trabalhador

Abstract

This study aims to verify the occurrence of ageism or ageism in the investigated work environment and its relationship with the perception that older workers have of their own ability to work and moral harassment, since violence in the work environment is represented by ageism, in addition to providing a reflection on the phenomenon of ageism in general. The sample for this research is made up of employees from the population of Administrative Education Technicians (TAE) at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora / MG (UFJF, 2020) and administrative employees from private HEIs in the region, as it is a population that presents some characteristics in common, such as qualification for positions in terms of degree and because there is no age criterion for hiring in the majority of selection processes. As for quantitative procedures, the Aging Scale in the Organizational Context (EACO), the Moral Harassment Scale (ELAM) and the Work Ability Scale (ICT) are applied. In relation to qualitative research, the investigation is carried out through semi-structured interviews, and data processing is carried out using Bardin's Content Analysis technique. The results demonstrate the occurrence of ageism in the sample, the perception of work ability as good or excellent by older workers and the lack of knowledge about ageism, often classified as a joke. There was no significant difference in ageism between public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEI), but regarding other aspects such as weekly workload, low reporting of mental health problems and ageism among women, private HEIs presented more unfavorable working situations. Thus, ageism was not related to violence at work, despite participants, in general, associating this prejudice with suffering at work. Violence at work is a reality all over the world, and ageism is one of the most harmful forms of violence to the mental and physical health of older workers. The consequences of ageism can range from early retirement to workrelated illnesses and can lead to suicide, as an extreme consequence. This study can benefit workers, who will be able to identify and analyze the phenomenon of ageism, and the Institution, which can use the research, including it in its planning of actions for worker health, also instigating new investigations into the theme.