Ageism in the workplace is not something many professionals are aware of. Unlike sexism and racism, this type of discrimination is not often talked about in the working environment.
What is ageism in the workplace?
Ageism is a form of discrimination that refers or relates to someone’s age. It is a blunder that older employees are less competitive, have inefficient skills, poorly deliver productivity and any form of understatement towards older people in the workplace.
Ageism examples
Below are some ageism examples in the workplace:
Employers based their hiring decisions solely on age
Each job candidate should be assessed based on their specific qualifications — not on general assumptions about their skills or their fitness for the position.
When an employer demonstrates a preference on hiring younger employees over older applicants, this could be evidence of age discrimination in the workplace. Each and every applicant should be assessed based on specific qualifications such as skills, knowledge, etc. therefore age should not be or at least a major factor.
Age-based harassment in the workplace
When an employer, a manager, or co-league throws jokes, bullies, or in any way makes an older employee feel unwelcome this could lead to having a hostile work environment.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 prohibits hurtful comments, jokes, or any other type of age-related harassment towards older employees.
Continue reading here: Everything you need to know about Ageism