Your work environment plays a significant role in your productivity and team morale. While there are companies that can provide you with unbiased opportunities, others may refer to stereotypical assumptions that can lead to the undervaluation of your skills and performance.
Here are three common signs of ageism in the workplace and how you can spot them.
Marginalization
Marginalization can affect both young and old employees. When your employer excludes you from important matters or treats you differently because of your age, it can lead to limited growth opportunities and denial of resources that are readily available for others.
Three common signs of this can include receiving low priority tasks, being excluded from team meetings and seeing your ideas repeatedly disregarded.
Unequal pay
Wage discrimination because of age can manifest as early as your hiring process. For example, if you are a young applicant, the management team may assume that your skills are average and offer you a lower starting salary.
On the contrary, an older applicant who applied for the same position may receive a higher offer than yours. When your employer refers to your age as a deciding factor for wages and benefits, it can lower your morale and make you feel underappreciated.
Stereotyping
When your employer uses your age to create a generalized assumption and belief over your personality and skills, it can lead to unfair treatment and limited opportunities. For instance, young employees are often viewed in the job markets as ‘lazy and arrogant’ while older employees are seen as ‘slow and stubborn.’
How employees can protect their rights
Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), workers aged 40 and above are protected against any form of age-based discrimination in the workplace. This means that if you believe that you have experienced a pattern of age discrimination from your employer, you may sue them.
However, you need to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) first to inform them of your situation. Once they receive your complaint, they will investigate your case and send you a notice of “Right to Sue.”
During this process, you must file your lawsuit within 90 days. If you go over this deadline, you may lose your chance to sue your employer.
When you observe the subtle ways of age discrimination in the workplace, you can document them and protect your rights by consulting with a lawyer who can hear your story and inform you of your legal options.