Age discrimination is a problem that many people face in the workforce. Instead of being valued for their experience, they’re penalized for a few gray hairs.
It can be challenging to determine if you are dealing with discrimination because of your age, but there are some telltale signs.
What are the signs of age discrimination?
Age discrimination can take many forms, from refusing to hire older workers to demeaning comments about someone’s age. It’s also illegal under federal law. The signs of age discrimination can be subtle, but there are a few red flags you should know:
- Being passed over for a promotion or job opportunity when the position goes to someone younger but less qualified.
- You feel like you are being treated differently than your younger colleagues, whether that means you’re given fewer choice assignments or given less opportunity for advancement.
- You are regularly the target of jokes about your age from either your co-workers or supervisor.
- The company seems to be getting rid of older employees through reorganization but they’re hiring younger employees to do the same jobs under different titles.
- The company has started actively pressuring older employees to retire early or quit – often by freezing them out of workspaces or making them uncomfortable.
There are laws that protect workers from age discrimination, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA). You may be able to file a claim under one of these laws if you’ve been the victim of ageism in your workplace.