There are many good things about getting older: kids grow up, marriages get stronger, and you learn how to laugh off wrinkles and gray hairs. Unfortunately, though, it’s not all wine and roses. One problem you may face in your later years is ageism–a reality that can be frustrating for anyone trying to live out their golden years on their own terms. Fortunately, there are ways to take control of the situation and ensure ageism doesn’t get the best of you in the workplace. Here are some tips.
Know that ageism is a serious problem
Ageism is a form of discrimination. That means it’s not just a matter of how a business feels about older coworkers. It’s also against the law to discriminate based on age. Doing so can lead to serious consequences. Still, there are more subtle forms of age discrimination.
Ageism is often confused with prejudice and bigotry, because all three deal with discrimination on some level. However, ageism specifically addresses how people are treated based on their chronological age rather than any other factors. Ageist behavior typically involves making assumptions about people based on their age alone, or assuming that everyone within a certain group shares similar thoughts, beliefs, or experiences. For example: “He’s too old to do this job,” or “The old man doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” These kinds of statements reflect prejudice toward older workers–and they’re illegal!
Ageism can lead to discrimination in the workplace. When employers make assumptions about older workers based on their age, they may be less likely to hire them or promote them. Ageism can also lead to lower wages for older workers and fewer benefits, such as retirement plans.
You should care about this issue because ageism is a form of discrimination that unfairly impacts an already vulnerable group of people. Older adults are more likely to live in poverty than other groups, and they face significant obstacles when trying to find employment. Ageism only makes these problems worse by making it harder for them to get or keep jobs
Be aware of the different types of ageism
It’s important to understand that ageism is not the same as age discrimination. Ageism is a form of discrimination, but it encompasses multiple types of bias, including:
- Age segregation (e.g., only hiring people over 50 for “senior” positions)
- Age grouping (e.g., putting younger employees with perceived similar interests together)
- Age stratification (e.g., treating workers differently based on their perceived seniority)
Be willing to call out ageism when you see it. But first, you must recognize it. You are much more likely to spot ageist behavior if you have a thorough understanding of what it is and its many manifestations. A few examples of ageism in the workplace might include:
- Using “baby boomer” as a pejorative term
- Making comments about someone’s age, including how young or old they look.
- Making jokes about their generation or assuming that they don’t know how to use modern technology.
- Asking for someone’s birth year on an application form (unless required by law).
- Asking about an applicant’s retirement plans during an interview.
- Making assumptions about someone’s work habits, health, or “work ethic” because of their age.
Understand your rights
Make sure you know your rights and what you can do to protect yourself. If you’ve been discriminated against at work because of your age, there are steps to take to seek justice for yourself or another worker. Speak with someone from human resources/management/legal if necessary, and document everything. It’s important to know what kind of legal protection employers have under state law so they don’t try anything funny during negotiations (like forcing employees over a set age into early retirement).
If you believe you have been the victim of age discrimination, the first step is to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You should also contact a lawyer who specializes in employment law, as they will help you get compensation for any damages suffered. They’ll also ensure that your rights were not violated and that your employer doesn’t take retaliatory action against you.
Age discrimination can have a major impact on someone’s life, as it can prevent them from getting the job they want or keep them from supporting themselves and their family. It is important to know your rights to protect yourself from this type of discrimination.
Age isn’t something to be ashamed of; prejudice is.
When you think of prejudice, you tend to think of racism or sexism. Ageism is often overlooked because it’s less overt than other types of discrimination–but that doesn’t mean it’s less harmful.
Ageism refers to prejudice against older people, and anyone can experience it. While many employers say they don’t discriminate based on age, ageist attitudes are still prevalent in our culture. It can reveal itself in everything from hiring practices (such as preferring younger candidates) to workplace policies (like mandatory retirement ages).
There are three main categories of discrimination: appearance-based (think about how people react when someone looks different from them), class-based (like socioeconomic status), and gender-based or sexual orientation bias (which generally applies only within certain groups). Although ageism is somewhat of an appearance-based form of discrimination, it also falls into a class by itself.
Conclusion
If you find yourself the victim of ageism, know that you’re not alone. If you’re looking for a way to fight back, start by educating yourself on your legal rights. You can also try calling out ageism when you see it (if it’s safe to do so). And if all else fails, bring the story to a lawyer who specializes in eldercare discrimination. In the meantime, keep up with your health, stay engaged in what’s going on around you, and learn new things. These are changes anyone can benefit from to make their life better.
References:
“Age Discrimination | U.S. Department of Labor – DOL.”
“Age Discrimination | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”
“Age Discrimination in Employment – Different Types and Laws.” 30 May. 2022.