Merinova: reconsidering employee age in European businesses

Abstract

This case examines age-related discrimination challenges faced by workers over 55, using the Technology Center Merinova, a small European cluster company that enables innovations in the region, and its project manager, Tauno Kekäle, as a discussion context. In the case, the experience of Tauno Kekäle, a high-level professional close to the age of retirement, is juxtaposed with experiences of other similar-age professionals, illustrating the problem of age discrimination at work, especially at the stage of hiring, common in Europe and especially in Finland. The case supports reflections on age discrimination as a business management problem, demonstrating that expertise losses that happen if it remains unaddressed are harming business success. Through Merinova's best management practices, learners discover some easy-to-implement solutions for fixing age discrimination-related problems in business, especially in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The case relates to Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).