Ageism in the workplace occurs when someone is treated unfairly or unfavorably because of their age. It may involve an employee being passed over for promotion or being prevented from taking on challenging projects.

Ageism is prejudice or discrimination toward someone based on their age. While anyone can experience ageism, it mainly affects older adults.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the workplace is one of the main settings in which ageism occurs, with many older adults experiencing reduced access to specialized training and education. This can create a barrier to career growth, as it can often prevent employees from being promoted or receiving new job opportunities.

Learn more about what workplace ageism can look like, how it can affect health, and what you can do if you’re experiencing it.

Ageism in the workplace can come from a co-worker, a manager, or an employer. It can stem from ageist attitudes and stereotypes and lead to unfair and harmful treatment in the workplace.

Ageism can lead to many disparities and can affect physical and mental health, as well as financial status.

Research has shown that ageism can intersect with other forms of discrimination, such as sexism and racism. This oftens mean that some groups experience further disadvantages in the workplace.

Ageism at work can show up in many ways. Sometimes, it may be subtle, such as someone assuming that you cannot handle new technology because of your age. In other instances, it can be more obvious, such as being passed over to lead a challenging project due to assumptions about your capabilities.

Other examples of ageism at work include:

  • refusing to hire someone based on their age
  • stereotyping an older adult as being less open to workplace changes or new policies
  • stereotyping a young person as not having enough experience to take on a new project
  • limiting opportunities, such as training, to young employees only
  • assuming that an older co-worker does not want to advance in their career because they will want to retire soon
  • making offensive comments or harmful jokes that use someone’s age as a punchline

The WHO reports that ageism can have serious effects on health and well-being and can result in decreased physical and mental health.

It can lead to:

Experiencing ageism can also lead to internalized ageism. People who experience internalized ageism place unfounded limits on their own capabilities, preventing themselves from progressing at work or taking on new challenges.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission prohibits age discrimination from being a factor in the following aspects of employment:

  • hiring
  • firing
  • pay
  • job assignments
  • promotions
  • layoffs
  • training
  • benefits
  • any other term or condition of employment

If you think you’re experiencing ageism at work, there are several ways you can take action:

  • Document any discrimination you are facing: It’s important to document what’s happening, as this will help you if you choose to report it. This may look like keeping a written record of the details of the incident, such as:
    • what happened
    • how it made you feel
    • other colleagues who were present
    • the time and date it occurred
  • Review workplace policies: Your workplace should have a handbook that outlines policies against certain forms of discrimination. It may also include the next steps you can take if you’re experiencing any of those forms.
  • Report any discrimination: If you’ve experienced discrimination based on your age, consider filing a formal complaint by following your employer’s grievance procedure. This may involve taking your concerns to your manager or to HR.
  • Consider legal action: If you feel that you cannot report the discrimination, or if you already have and are not happy with the outcome, you might consider taking legal action against your employer.
  • Consult your union: If you’re part of a union, consider speaking with a representative for guidance on your next steps. Your union can often be a good support system, especially if you feel unable to pursue the matter internally.

Remember, you deserve to work in a safe environment that is free from any and all forms of discrimination.

How can you support someone who is experiencing age discrimination at work?

If you notice that a co-worker is being treated unfairly because of their age, it’s important to speak up. This may look like calling out an incident when it happens, such as an offensive comment someone has made.

Your co-worker may find it easier to speak up or ask for help if someone else acknowledges or calls out the behavior too.

It can also be helpful to offer your support if the person would like to go to management or HR about what they are experiencing.

Ageism in the workplace occurs when someone is treated unfairly or unfavorably because of their age. It may involve an employee being passed over for promotion or left out of challenging projects.

If you think you are experiencing ageism at work, there are several ways you can take action, such as by documenting and reporting any discrimination or seeking advice from your union.

Remember, you deserve to work in a safe environment that is free from any and all forms of discrimination.