WASHINGTON—Laurie McCann, senior attorney at AARP Foundation, testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee regarding the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA). The bill is part of the hearing titled "Eliminating Barriers to Employment: Opening Doors to Opportunity."

Below is an excerpt from her prepared testimony:

It is simply good business to recruit and to retain talent regardless of age. The age 50+ segment of the workforce is the most engaged cohort across all generations, which translates into higher productivity, increased revenues, and improved business outcomes. Research study after research study finds that a diverse workforce is a more productive, better performing, more innovative workforce, and this holds for age diversity too. Yet, older workers continue to face numerous obstacles to employment, barriers that cannot be fully addressed in one hearing. Today, I will focus on the most significant barrier older workers face, which is age discrimination. 

Full written testimony is available here.

###

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

About AARP Foundation 
AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connectedness. As AARP’s charitable affiliate, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Bolstered by vigorous legal advocacy, we spark bold, innovative solutions that foster resilience, strengthen communities and restore hope. To learn more about AARP Foundation visit aarpfoundation.org.