Some say age is just a number. However, people aged 45 and up who may find themselves facing age discrimination in the workplace might not agree. Taking into account that most people think age 65 is the right age for retirement, the trend of forcing people who are younger than 65 to retire early continues to gain momentum. This is age discrimination, and it is illegal.
While Baby Boomers and Generation-Xers may be perfectly capable of performing their jobs, there are some companies that view their aging employees as liabilities. Rather than find a way to work with their older employees, companies may be handing them pink slips. As they are on their way out the door, the company then brings in younger employees with less experience to replace the older employees.
The myth of ageism
All too often, employers buy into these ageist myths:
- Older employees have outdated skills.
- Employees in their 40s and up aren’t willing to learn new skills, especially when it comes to technology.
People aged 40 and up are slower mentally and physically than the Millenials, and Zoomers, who are younger and quicker.
People are living longer than they used to
Because people are living longer than the generations that came before, the need to work and earn a living as they age is crucial. For example, Baby Boomers aged 57-75 years who are forced into early retirement may exhaust their savings for their golden years simply by living longer. In order to survive, they often find themselves having to rely on the government for a monthly Social Security payment to sustain them.
Fighting these myths can be difficult on your own. If you have been victimized by ageism in the workplace, it is important to seek assistance when it comes to fighting for your rights.