As an older worker, you bring experience and a unique point of view to your workplace. But as time goes on and the dynamics of your workplace change, you might find yourself wondering if you’re being subjected to age discrimination. It’s no small thing if you are. After all, discrimination of any sort can result in missed opportunities, changed assignments, reduced pay, and even demotion or termination.
How do you spot signs of age discrimination?
If you want to catch evidence of age discrimination, you need to be observant and refrain from chalking up discrimination as one-time events or mere joking. Here are some of the signs of age discrimination that you’ll want to watch out for:
- Your employer consistently hires younger workers over older ones.
- You’re subjected to demeaning language or are the butt of age-related jokes.
- You’ve been passed over for a promotion in favor of a younger worker despite the fact that you have more experience.
- You’ve been isolated from work assignments or meetings.
- You’ve faced unfair discipline or unjustly being placed on a performance improvement plan.
- Older workers are constantly being let go or are being forced to retire.
- Your employer makes assumptions that you can’t perform certain tasks because of your age.
These are just some of the many signs that you’ve been subjected to age discrimination. So, stay on your toes, be observant, and don’t let anything that strikes you as being off slide without you taking note.
Find accountability for the age discrimination to which you’ve been subjected
Age discrimination can have a profound impact on your career, financial stability, and mental health. You shouldn’t let unwarranted actions taken against you cause so much damage.
Instead, you should ready yourself to fight for a just outcome, which may mean filing a workplace discrimination lawsuit. If that process has you concerned, don’t worry. There are plenty of places to turn to find support and advocacy to ensure that your rights are protected.