Have you experienced ageism at work?

[Anonymous]

If you’re over 45 have you experienced ageism at work?

[Anonymous]

I am currently the oldest in my office of 6 at 48 years old. The non stop muttering about "being old", not being able to handle new technology, being old school are comments I often here from the 30 under group the ones closer to my age don't say anything and don't seem to care one way or another. Is it ageism?

[Anonymous]

Have you not?

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am currently the oldest in my office of 6 at 48 years old. The non stop muttering about "being old", not being able to handle new technology, being old school are comments I often here from the 30 under group the ones closer to my age don't say anything and don't seem to care one way or another. Is it ageism?

I'm always amazed by people under 30 who mutter about "old people" over 40 and somehow cannot grasp that they, too, will be that age before they know it. Time flies, and Gen Z will be telling them they listen to old people music. They will get their turn to be made fun of for being "so out of it." They will be 39 and sitting in front of a 26-year-old hiring manager, trying to explain why they should get hired (they won't get the job). Not sure why today's 20-somethings don't see all of this coming and try to end ageism while they have the chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am currently the oldest in my office of 6 at 48 years old. The non stop muttering about "being old", not being able to handle new technology, being old school are comments I often here from the 30 under group the ones closer to my age don't say anything and don't seem to care one way or another. Is it ageism?

I'm always amazed by people under 30 who mutter about "old people" over 40 and somehow cannot grasp that they, too, will be that age before they know it. Time flies, and Gen Z will be telling them they listen to old people music. They will get their turn to be made fun of for being "so out of it." They will be 39 and sitting in front of a 26-year-old hiring manager, trying to explain why they should get hired (they won't get the job). Not sure why today's 20-somethings don't see all of this coming and try to end ageism while they have the chance.

Meh. I hear lots of people over 40 complain about Millennials. What did they expect to happen once the Millennials grew up and got more power?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am currently the oldest in my office of 6 at 48 years old. The non stop muttering about "being old", not being able to handle new technology, being old school are comments I often here from the 30 under group the ones closer to my age don't say anything and don't seem to care one way or another. Is it ageism?

I'm always amazed by people under 30 who mutter about "old people" over 40 and somehow cannot grasp that they, too, will be that age before they know it. Time flies, and Gen Z will be telling them they listen to old people music. They will get their turn to be made fun of for being "so out of it." They will be 39 and sitting in front of a 26-year-old hiring manager, trying to explain why they should get hired (they won't get the job). Not sure why today's 20-somethings don't see all of this coming and try to end ageism while they have the chance.

Some of us would never say a thing like that and are quite patient helping out with technology or anything else that may be needed. That said, I have to admit it’s frustrating to hear things like this when in an interview, I was asked if I thought my age (early 30s) would prevent me from being taken seriously. This was asked despite the fact that I had a track record doing a similar job at the same agency, where I was given a lot of respect and latitude.

Overall, I’m sorry you’re being discriminated against because of age...but it doesn’t only happen to older folks.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I am in my mid 50s in IT and it always amazes me how little folks know under 40.

My uncle is still working in IT Engineering as a consultant at 85 and knows ten times what I know. He has hundred of Patents and back in Vietnam era he designed and built tons of advanced military equipment and his stuff is museums.

Last big thing he worked on was IFE and Wifi for Boeing in his 70s as the kids could not figure it out.

Life experience is way underrated in IT

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re over 45 have you experienced ageism at work?

Only in the sense that some people are surprised that I’m better with technology than many of the younger teachers. I always get called in AFTER two or three millennials have tried and failed to resolve the issue.

I can imagine it gets worse as you age.

[Anonymous]

I'm 50 and before I left the Big 4, most of my teams were all millineal MBAs....while a couple thought I was a dinosaur, many appreciated my years of experience and input and valued me on the team....joined feds a couple years ago and I have more company in the 50+ range.

[Anonymous]

When I was 48, my 30-something boss said - without any type of provocation - that I might be happier working for the AARP. Too bad there were no witnesses.

[Anonymous]

For me what I'm discovering in my workplace (at 48) that I can learn a lot from the younger co-workers about current trends in the field, IF they are willing to share and willing to listen. That is the case for half of those I work for..the others have no interest in my experience and point of view and just want to re-invent the wheel..so I let them...its takes a lot of work and eventually they come back and ask me a question about a procedure that was already in place but they were trying to create. In general the difference can be manageable if everyone comes to the workplace with an open mind and willingness to listen and share but if they come in the thought they know best its their way is the only way...that is where the conflict lies. Up until the last year I've had great experiences with working will all ages in our office..we have some new hires right now that unfortunately seem to fit the stereotype under 30 image.

[Anonymous]

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.