Have you experienced ageism at work?

[Anonymous]

I think it happens in nursing. Not so much from other nurses; I think older, more experienced nurses are valued as long as they keep up technology wise and physically. Patients seem to appreciate nurses with experience. You do hear about older and more experienced nurses in hospital settings being laid off or fired for stupid reasons because they cost more $$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So here is the thing about people 40 and up - all of the stereotypes about old people really don't apply. People born in the late 60s and 70s were part of the technology age. Steve Jobs, Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo were all part of the generation. So was rap and hip hop. Many of the pioneers are just flipping over to 50. Once upon a time youngsters valued the maturity and wealth of knowledge that elders brought with them. The Millennials are always complained about because they have the least amount of respect for anyone over the age of 20. One colleague who just flipped 30 made a snide remark about her mom calling her a baby boomer because she wanted her to learn to something new. Just a level of contempt and disrespect that exists with many younger people.

You do realize that there are Millennials in their 30s, right? We have plenty of respect for our peers and we might have more respect for those older than us if you weren't constantly belittling us with misinformed stereotypes. For every Millennial that happens to fit one of the stereotypes, there is a Baby Boomer who raised them. We didn't give ourselves all those participation trophies, you know. Millennials are adults now (literally, the youngest are 18 or older), and we can decide the level of respect we have for other adults based on whether or not they've earned it, rather than on the antiquated notion that we must bow down to anyone who happened to be born before us. So if it's "kids these days" that bothers you, you need to move on to Generation Z. Look at this thread and society's characterization of Millennials compared to a "snide remark to [someone's] mom" and tell me which demonstrates more contempt and disrespect.

[Anonymous]

mine was the other way, I am the youngest by 30 years. In one of my previous reviews, I was told I was too young to "make that kind of money"

[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.

You do know that’s illegal, right?

[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.

I remember that. Do you work in tech or for a corporation? It is all a pyramid scheme. Older workers get laid off first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm a 48-year-old women with a Ph.D. and a lifetime of career experience. I was fired for not being the right cultural fit, 3 months before I would have been 100% vested in my non-profit's 401K plan, and three days before my birthday. That's where all the 40 and 50-somethings are, fired, and starting their own businesses.

You should sue them and name the non-profit. I am sorry!