Have you experienced ageism at work?

[Anonymous]

Yep, still dealing with older folks when think I’m their kid and treat me as such. It’s annoying AF especially since their own kids aren’t doing much with their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: BTW my kids are all Gen Z and can't wait to overthrow the millennium hipster man bun lazy work from home diversity sustainability open office sandal wearing dig walking sandal wearing hipsters who are in there way.

Guess what kids born in 2000s number on form of preferred communication is in person and want to actually go to work. There childhood was two huge recessions not the party time 1990s. Don't worry you can text and drink Starbucks in your nursing homes.

With better grammar and spelling than you, hopefully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 37. Old to the millenials, and young to the baby boomers. I have found I enjoy working with the millenials much much more. I work in a corporate setting. The millenials are bright and fresh, very energetic, lots of fun, proactive, creative, and very accepting.

Otoh, the boomers in my office (which has thousands of people), often act like dinosaurs. They are not open to listening to new ideas, they are rarely energetic, a lot are very overweight, they do not know or care to learn the new technology out there. They have been in their exact same roles and jobs for decades. They are not creative, and they have very limited knowledge because they haven't worked anywhere else or done any other job. So it's only so much you can learn from them. Their leadership skills also suck.

My best boss was a millenial 10 years younger than myself. On that team, I worked it's a bunch of millenials, and we pushed out a lot of innovative, meaningful work. My current boss is pushing 50 and only became a manager because she's been there forever. She never bothered to learn leadership skills, and doesn't care to become a good leader. All the baby boomer management above her is the same way. I cannot way to leave this group, which is nothing but baby boomers. Nice enough people at times, but a huge drag to work with.

I have a question for you. 1) Have you had a parent die? 2) Do you have kids? 3) If so, how hold are your kids? 4) How many jobs have you held since you graduated college? 5) do you have a partner or are you single? Knowing these questions will help to determine a lot about what you just said above...

[Anonymous]

PP here: *old

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I am mid 50s and finally feel like I have credibility with clients.

Same here and I'm in my 40s. I'm realizing the value of experience and my clients do too, in how my expertise is requested. 40s have been very freeing for me, in terms of the big picture perspective, not sweating small stuff etc.

[Anonymous]

I have not experienced it being directed at me, but I'm a recruiter and can't tell you how many times a hiring manager has specified wanting someone "young and trainable". There is definitely a belief that anyone who isn't young is set in their ways/untrainable. It is too bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have not experienced it being directed at me, but I'm a recruiter and can't tell you how many times a hiring manager has specified wanting someone "young and trainable". There is definitely a belief that anyone who isn't young is set in their ways/untrainable. It is too bad.

It's not trainability - it's naivete and a willingness to work hard in order to make someone else wealthy. This goes double for people who have young kids and a big mortgage (expenses that can't be cut and golden handcuffs). They don't want someone in their 40s or 50s because that person will be looking to become wealthy him/herself, kids are mostly grown up and the house is close to being paid off (or has substantial equity). That candidate will be less inclined to tolerate BS and will quit/find another job.

[Anonymous]

I believe it exists, but not at my workplace. My large nonprofit, for various reasons, is a place that is populated, by and large, by retirees. The average age is north of 65. I am 42 and routinely get called "young lady." Our HR VP seems to think I'm a fresh young newbie and was visibly startled when I pointed out that I have--wait for it--20 years of professional experience. (I wish I could have been flattered, but no, I don't look young). A 51 year old coworker was told she needs to "pay her dues".

Not a lot gets accomplished and there are absolutely no new programs in the works or under consideration and any new concepts are quickly shouted down, often by some anecdote that "we tried that in the early 1970s and it didn't work." Well, ok then!

I do think, outside of my weird situation, it is hard for a woman because you either don't have credibility because you aren't "old enough" but the nanosecond you are "old enough" you aren't pretty anymore and they don't want to hire you.

[Anonymous]

I think you can only call an incident ageism only when all things are considered being equal (most importantly being pay, title, and responsibility) and your age works against you and preferential treatment is given to the younger one when both work product are equally superior or inferior. However, a a lot of times (may dare I say most?) in the professional environment, the older employee has the higher title, pay and responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe it exists, but not at my workplace. My large nonprofit, for various reasons, is a place that is populated, by and large, by retirees. The average age is north of 65. I am 42 and routinely get called "young lady." Our HR VP seems to think I'm a fresh young newbie and was visibly startled when I pointed out that I have--wait for it--20 years of professional experience. (I wish I could have been flattered, but no, I don't look young). A 51 year old coworker was told she needs to "pay her dues".

Not a lot gets accomplished and there are absolutely no new programs in the works or under consideration and any new concepts are quickly shouted down, often by some anecdote that "we tried that in the early 1970s and it didn't work." Well, ok then!

I do think, outside of my weird situation, it is hard for a woman because you either don't have credibility because you aren't "old enough" but the nanosecond you are "old enough" you aren't pretty anymore and they don't want to hire you.

this. I remember I couldn't wait to be out of my 20s to get credibility. And now this is what I have to look forward to? What happened to our chance to be the old people everyone cowtowed to!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 37. Old to the millenials, and young to the baby boomers. I have found I enjoy working with the millenials much much more. I work in a corporate setting. The millenials are bright and fresh, very energetic, lots of fun, proactive, creative, and very accepting.

Otoh, the boomers in my office (which has thousands of people), often act like dinosaurs. They are not open to listening to new ideas, they are rarely energetic, a lot are very overweight, they do not know or care to learn the new technology out there. They have been in their exact same roles and jobs for decades. They are not creative, and they have very limited knowledge because they haven't worked anywhere else or done any other job. So it's only so much you can learn from them. Their leadership skills also suck.

My best boss was a millenial 10 years younger than myself. On that team, I worked it's a bunch of millenials, and we pushed out a lot of innovative, meaningful work. My current boss is pushing 50 and only became a manager because she's been there forever. She never bothered to learn leadership skills, and doesn't care to become a good leader. All the baby boomer management above her is the same way. I cannot way to leave this group, which is nothing but baby boomers. Nice enough people at times, but a huge drag to work with.

I have a question for you. 1) Have you had a parent die? 2) Do you have kids? 3) If so, how hold are your kids? 4) How many jobs have you held since you graduated college? 5) do you have a partner or are you single? Knowing these questions will help to determine a lot about what you just said above...

WTF do any of your questions have to do with the fact that PP has worked with both age groups and preferred the millennial group for the above stated reasons?

While this anecdote shouldn't be used to make sweeping assumptions about the generations, it is appropriate to the thread.

[Anonymous]

I FEEL old at my office because I am in the older range of employees and it is a shrinking group. Where are all of the 40 and 50 somethings? We keep getting in younger employees and most from other countries so just being American and older is putting me into a small minority. It is lonely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I FEEL old at my office because I am in the older range of employees and it is a shrinking group. Where are all of the 40 and 50 somethings? We keep getting in younger employees and most from other countries so just being American and older is putting me into a small minority. It is lonely.

My only advice is to open your mind a bit - this isn't to say you're closed minded, rather that you're perhaps just accustomed to a more homogeneous workplace. Also, look at yourself more as a mentor to these new folks, but don't come off as someone with more "seniority" than they have (which is how many people in government and union shops do). Offer your advice once or twice, and if they don't want it, don't offer again. Trust me when I say that they'll be back when they find themselves over their heads. In that case, don't tell them "I told you so," but instead say "I'm glad you came to me, maybe I can point you in the right direction." You'll gain their respect. Remember, you're not their mommy or daddy, you're just a colleague with more experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I FEEL old at my office because I am in the older range of employees and it is a shrinking group. Where are all of the 40 and 50 somethings? We keep getting in younger employees and most from other countries so just being American and older is putting me into a small minority. It is lonely.

Gen x is a much smaller generation AND started the opt out revolution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I FEEL old at my office because I am in the older range of employees and it is a shrinking group. Where are all of the 40 and 50 somethings? We keep getting in younger employees and most from other countries so just being American and older is putting me into a small minority. It is lonely.

Gen x is a much smaller generation AND started the opt out revolution.

True, and many GenXers are starting their own companies (or consulting firms) in their 40s/50s. They're tired of making other people rich by working as an employee.