Many Denver area residents have experienced some kind of discrimination in their workplace. One of the more common ways a person is discriminated against is with their age. Age bias in the workplace takes many forms and can affect anyone, including millennials. It is important for employees to understand age discrimination and how it can affect them.
The oldest millennials, those born between 1981 and 1997, are turning 40 this year. 40 is also where the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) started to protect workers from age discrimination in their job. People ages 40-54 account for over 37% of age discrimination complaints in 2017 which means that even a population seen as younger can suffer from discrimination.
Ageism in employment can take many forms
Firing someone or not hiring someone based on their age are two of the more popular ways age discrimination can occur. But it can also occur in harassment, comments from coworkers, being passed up for training, or having their age group blamed for the current situation.
Some industries are worse than others
The technology industry can be hard for older employees, along with banking, broadcast journalism, and advertising.
Women can be affected by age discrimination earlier than men
Many women experience age discrimination prior to turning 40. Many studies have shown that women’s resumés are repeatedly ignored or their ratings decrease before they turn 40 if a person was able to determine their age on the resumé.
Age bias can be stopped
If a person believes they have been the victim of age discrimination in their workplace, talking with an employment lawyer can be helpful. Age discrimination is illegal and it is OK to hold those accountable for their negligence.