From assumptions about technical ability to missed happy hour invites, employees discriminate against older workers in subtle and obvious ways.
These offenses aren’t always intentional, but they hurt older employees' ability to get ahead financially. Companies also miss out on the experience and perspective these workers bring to the table.
Here are 15 sneaky signs of ageism in the workplace to watch for and what you can do about them.
Earn money online by taking surveys
$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.
Follow these simple steps to start earning:
- Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
- Take surveys.
- Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!
P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.
Lack of learning opportunities
![Senior student raising hand in class](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-male-student-in-class.jpeg)
Younger employees may be given ample opportunities to attend conferences, enroll in courses, and pursue other learning outside their normal work.
Not giving older workers these same opportunities could be ageism. Worse, it prevents them from bringing their skills and years of experience to new opportunities.
Social snubs
![Woman in meeting](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-stressed-businesswoman-in-meeting.jpeg)
If networking and critical office politics are happening outside of working hours at happy hours, lunches, and other social settings, then you should have the opportunity to be there.
But, sometimes, it’s assumed older workers either don’t want to attend or wouldn’t fit in with the younger crowd. These social snubs are isolating to those workers and are another example of ageism.
Try to invite everyone to social and networking events and schedule more non-happy hour or bar-related gatherings. Leave it up to them whether they feel comfortable attending.
Not being put in front of clients
![Tired senior man using laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-man-having-headache.jpeg)
When a company repeatedly presents its younger employees in front of clients to present work done by the entire team while skipping over the more senior members, this could be an example of ageism as the company tries to present a younger face.
Let the employees who did the work present it and allow teams to have multiple members present to clients.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Targeted layoffs
![Employer firing senior employee at office](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/employer-firing-senior-employee-from-office.jpeg)
Broad layoffs should include employees across a random variety of ages. If all employees affected by layoffs fall into the same older age demographic, it’s likely a situation of targeted ageism.
The company could be trying to bring in younger workers or hire them at a lower rate while letting go of workers who cost more because of their decades of experience.
Coded words
![Confused man looking at laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/12/26/man-confused-at-laptop.jpg)
When an employer discusses two potential hires and refers to a younger candidate as having a "fresh perspective," that’s likely systemic age discrimination.
The employer may also note that they’re afraid the older candidate doesn’t have the "right energy," reinforcing their prejudice.
Nuances in job descriptions
![Woman working from home on laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-woman-working-from-home.jpeg)
A job description that says a company is looking for a digitally native candidate essentially says they’re looking for a young hire without using those exact words. And that's an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offense.
Screening assumptions
![Senior businessman talking to young employee](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-businessman-interviewing-candidate.jpeg)
Looking at a candidate’s graduation year or whether their email address is hotmail.com or gmail.com before looking at whether their experience is relevant is often unintentional ageism.
Avoid considering or even looking at these markers during the applicant screening process. If you’re applying for a job, leave off your graduation year or only include the most relevant recent roles.
Passed over promotions
![Senior woman afraid at interview lobby](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-woman-afraid-at-interview.jpeg)
When an older employee is passed over for a promotion they’re qualified for instead of a younger employee who may have more years to continue climbing the corporate ladder, that’s an example of age discrimination.
Supervisors could make assumptions about a worker’s retirement plan and assume they don’t want to rise to the next challenge — but that’s not their call to make. Have open discussions about career goals with all employees, regardless of age.
Buyouts
![Senior filling out form](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-man-filling-questionnaire-using-pen.jpeg)
Companies sometimes offer large buyouts to their older employees to encourage them to leave rather than be put in a position where their age discrimination could be questioned.
This is essentially forced retirement at a certain age, which is not legal in most professions. There may be exceptions in certain professions, like pilots.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Technology assumptions
![Father staring son showing generation gap](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/father-staring-son-using-smartphone.jpeg)
Technology constantly changes, and employers may assume their older workers can’t keep up with the latest software or social media. Rather than take the time to train them, they give opportunities to the younger workers, which is an ageism offense.
Give everyone a chance to learn, and if you’re an older employee, try to stay current with the latest relevant technology in your field.
Demotions
![Man on call on laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/depressed-african-american-man-on-smartphone.jpeg)
Even when older employees dodge layoffs or buyouts, they can sometimes be given demotions that limit their role and impact within the company.
This could be in an attempt to remove them from high-paying roles and replace them with a younger worker willing to do the job for less.
Slowly taking away responsibilities
![Annoyed senior man using laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-man-annoyed-at-laptop.jpeg)
While demotions are an obvious way of reducing a worker’s responsibilities, sometimes the reduction is more gradual. For example, a client is assigned to a younger colleague and pitch decks are passed to other employees.
Eventually, all the assignments that made the older worker feel valuable have been redistributed, not because of their abilities or performance. It’s due to ageism.
Jokes about age
![Coworkers having fun at lunch](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/coworkers-having-fun-at-outdoor-restaurant.jpeg)
Some instances of ageism aren’t so subtle. When other colleagues joke about the old man in the office or whether computers existed when someone started working, these are hurtful and meant to separate the older from the younger workers.
If you witness this happening, say something. It’s particularly powerful when a younger peer points it out.
Passed over for big assignments
![Frustrated senior woman using smartphone](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/senior-woman-frustrated-at-smartphone.jpeg)
New challenges and big assignments keep the workplace exciting, but when a supervisor repeatedly passes over older employees and hands the most interesting work off to younger employees, it's an act of ageism.
They could be assuming older employees don’t have the hustle or energy to keep up.
Unfair criticism
![Businessmen having feud at work](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/businessmen-fighting-at-office.jpeg)
It’s not uncommon to see older workers criticized for mistakes or not moving fast enough while younger employees get away with the same offenses.
For younger employees, it’s allowed to slide as a rookie mistake or a learning curve, while older employees don’t get the same grace — even if it’s a new project for both.
Bottom line
![Businessman getting tired while using laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/07/tired-businessman-taking-off-glasses.jpeg)
First, do what you can to fight ageism in the workplace. Then, continue to keep up with learning, technology, and education — which can help you build wealth, too.
However, if you believe you are the victim of ageism in the workplace, don’t hesitate to keep a log of the offenses occurring and prepare your case to take to a supervisor or human resources.
Remember, ageism is a serious matter, and it’s on us to prevent it from continuing to occur in the office and beyond.
Connect with families looking for child care, pet care, housekeeping, and more.
Free 3-class intro teaches you how to launch a bookkeeping business — avg. hourly rate for this skill is $75/hour.
Get your share of $55,000 paid out daily to Survey Junkie users.