Am I Being Discriminated Against Because of My Age? Three Signs to Spot

It can be tough to know what to make of changes at work. Maybe your manager suddenly seems unhappy with everything you do. Maybe you’re being asked questions about retirement that you’ve never been asked before. Maybe younger employees are slowly taking over the work you’ve been doing for years.

None of these things – by themselves – necessarily mean you’re experiencing age discrimination. But if something feels different, pay attention.

Age discrimination isn’t always obvious. It won’t be as easy to spot as someone saying, “You’re far too old for this job.” More often than not, it shows up in the way you’re treated over time. Keep reading on to learn what to look out for.

You Suddenly Receive Negative Performance Reviews

Getting a bad performance review is never pleasant. And sometimes, it might be justified.

But what if you’ve spent years receiving good reviews and suddenly you’re being told that your work just isn’t good enough? If your performance hasn’t changed, that sudden shift makes you wonder what’s going on. Understandably.

Look at what is actually being criticized. Are you being picked up on things that were never a problem before? Are small mistakes suddenly being documented? Is your manager holding you to a higher standard than younger colleagues?

It’s useful to keep copies of your performance reviews, emails, and other feedback. You might not think much of it at the time, but a record could help you see whether there’s been a pattern.

You Are Being Pressured to Retire

Retirement. It’s your decision. If you’re still able and willing to work, you shouldn’t feel as though someone else has decided it’s time for you to leave.

Pressure isn’t always obvious, either. Your employer might repeatedly ask when you’re planning to retire. They might make comments about how long you really want to keep working. You might even hear remarks about younger people being better suited to the role.

A single awkward question probably doesn’t tell you much. But if retirement keeps coming up, especially alongside other changes in how you’re being treated, don’t simply shrug it off.

You know your workplace better than anyone. If the atmosphere has changed, if you’re starting to feel pushed towards the door, take a closer look.

Younger Workers Are Replacing You

Seeing younger workers brought in isn’t a clear sign of discrimination. Companies hire new people and change their teams all the time.

The situation becomes more concerning when there’s a pattern. For example, if older employees are being let go or moved aside when younger workers are brought in to do essentially the same jobs, you’ll have questions.

Comments from managers matter as well. If you’ve heard things about needing a “younger team” or wanting people with more energy, make a note of what was said and when. And who said it, too.

If you spot this sign – along with others in this post – don’t face the issue along. Speak with someone who handles age discrimination cases near Oakland. An expert will help you understand whether what’s happening is more than just a difficult situation at work.

To conclude, if you take one thing away from this post, let it be the importance of your own concerns. Don’t ignore a gut feeling. Signs of age discrimination might be difficult to spot at times, but only by acting will you receive help.