You may have a few gray hairs, but they only show you are wise beyond your years. You bring vital work experience to the table that younger generations can’t provide. However, your employer may not see it that way. They may behave as if the only thing that matters is “out with the old and in with the new.”
Luckily for you, you are protected from being fired for your age. People 40 years of age or older are protected by law from age discrimination. This means you won’t be fired, lose benefits or have to train your replacement because of your age.
This won’t stop some employers from finding ways to try and fire you. You may have been the victim of age discrimination if you noticed issues during your employment. Take this into consideration when reflecting:
Your employer may use underhanded tactics to force you out
Employers aren’t always the most direct when wanting to fire their employees. This is because they don’t want to violate an employee’s protective rights. Instead, employers will use subtle ways to try and force an employer to leave.
You may have been tasked with an assignment that was unreasonable to complete. This can look bad for your performance at your job, which is a great way for your employer to disparage your work activity without looking like it’s all about your age.
Your employer may even change the requirements of a job. You may suddenly find an employer wanting a skill set in social media influence or technologically adept. Technology has only risen in the last twenty years. Meaning you may have had the chance to grow around it like people today.
Employers can be intimidating when they feel it is their right to hire and fire whoever they want. You shouldn’t be the victim of workplace discrimination because of the natural flow of time. If you think you’re the victim of age discrimination, it may be time to seek legal guidance.
