One of these stereotypes of older workers is true. Do you know which one?

1. Older workers are more vulnerable to work-family imbalance.
2. Older workers are less motivated.
3. Older works are less willing to participate in training sessions.
4. Older workers are more resistant to change.
5. Older workers are less trusting.
6. Older workers are less healthy physically and mentally in general.

Yiduo Shao, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship in the Tippie College of Business, studies older people in the workforce and says research shows that only number 3 is true, that older workers are less willing to participate in training sessions. The others, she says, are dangerous stereotypes that can leave the talents and skills of older workers untapped and employers vulnerable to age discrimination lawsuits.

Given that the workforce is rapidly aging, with the number of workers over the age of 65 expected to double to 16.7 percent by 2050, Shao says it’s important that these sorts of stereotypes are left behind. She said older workers have much to offer employers and are a resource that organizations should embrace by adopting HR policies that accommodate older workers and bring older and younger workers together.

Unfortunately, she said only about 4 percent of firms have policies in place intended to support older workers and inter-generational teams.