When did experience become a disadvantage in PR and communications? And what can we do about it?

Women in PR’s No Right Age campaign exposes how age bias is quietly shaping who gets hired, who progresses and who gets left behind.

Our research found that 63% of UK PR and communications job adverts contain age-coded language, while AI-powered recruitment risks turning existing prejudices into automated rejection, before a human even reads a CV.

Developed with Break the Silence Collective and Ellwood Atfield, our new playbook moves beyond identifying the problem to tackling it.

Drawing on industry research and candid conversations from our Listening Labs, it sets out six practical steps for more age-inclusive hiring and retention, from human oversight of AI recruitment to challenging coded language, improving flexibility and recognising experienced talent.

There’s also our Bullshit Bingo card, exposing the everyday language that can reinforce stereotypes, plus a simple self-audit for employers ready to act.

The message is simple: experience should be an asset, not a liability.

Download the No Right Age Playbook and start with your next job ad.

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With special thanks

No Right Age was developed by Women in PR UK in partnership with Ellwood Atfield. And supported by co-facilitated listening labs from Break the Silence Collective.

A special thank you to our WiPR UK campaign leads Ella Darlington, Anna McLean and Janita Lakhanpal, alongside shadow committee members Siobhan Fitzsimmons & Kofo Baptist.

Our thanks also go to Shayoni Lynn, founder of Break the Silence Collective, Anita Iwogu, who co-facilitated our Listening Labs, and Jules Shelley of Ellwood Atfield for her continued advocacy in tackling ageism.

And finally, to everyone who participated in our Listening Labs and the men & women who generously shared their experiences for our Talent Spotlight. Your voices helped shape this campaign.