AGEISM IS REAL

My Story: Part 3 of 3 Workplace age discrimination can be subtle.  Hard to recognize. But trust me, it is very much alive. It’s taken six months to write this article. Hopefully dear reader, this personal example of age discrimination in the workplace is conveyed void of the emotional baggage I have carried. In early 2022, I was interviewing for other management positions, seeking a salary increase that had eluded me. During that time, I had a one-on-one meeting with Karen, my new Assistant Vice President. Karen was warm and easy to talk to, making me feel heard and safe. That feeling of safety led me to bring up my concerns about ageism within our parent organization. I tried to convey it wasn’t just about one incident or one team. Ageism seemed to be more widespread. (Please see article linked below referencing a specific incident). Karen listened attentively and showed genuine concern. To my delight, Karen offered me a promotion on one of her other teams. She emphasized my value

My Story: Part 2 of 3 Over the past twenty years, my career has been an incredible journey, filled with challenges and rewards. Looking back, I realize how deeply immersed I was in work that I truly loved, alongside colleagues whom I greatly valued.  However, unbeknownst to me, the inevitable storm brewed within senior leadership, ready to deliver its turmoil. It all began in 2019 with a promotion that required relocating from Northern California to Southern California. After multiple rounds of interviews, I was offered the job. The promotion came with the added benefit of the company covering our home sale and relocation expenses, leaving me feeling immensely fortunate. At the time, I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was to still be valued at my age. However, it wasn’t until later that I realized I had dodged a bullet. None of the interviews took place in person or via video calls. It was like one of those dating shows where people don’t meet face-to-face until they’re already involved.

The hidden cost of a toxic work environment Introduction:  After being laid off, I have been looking for work in a comparable role for nearly a year.  It has been quite disheartening.  Ageism is a problem in today’s workplace, where those of us over fifty often struggle to find good jobs. Although older workers have tremendous experience and skills, we can face unconscious biases that make it harder for us to land the jobs we strive for. As we age, so does our experience and skillset. However, when it comes to looking for a job as an older worker, ageism can often become a barrier in the hiring process. It is no secret that age discrimination exists in the workforce, and older workers may face challenges such as being perceived as overqualified or too expensive to hire. But, with the right approach and some tweaks to your resume, you can overcome these obstacles and find a fulfilling job. I offer the following information and tips, which have been compiled from

Introduction: More than just an uncomfortable environment, toxicity carries with it serious and far-reaching consequences for those trapped under its weight.  I speak from experience, having survived a debilitating situation of workplace retaliation and exclusion that stemmed from a senior leader’s objection to an HR claim of ageism.  Despite having been promoted within my management ranks, the latest new role was a facade. Instead of being afforded increased leadership responsibilities, I was instead completely sidelined. In short, I found myself relegated to basic administrative tasks to support a peer. To make the situation even worse, the situation reeked of age discrimination, which only served to alienate me even further.  This wasn’t merely a demotion in duties.  It was a clear message coded in workplace retaliation and delivered with chilling precision. Allow me to present my experience, in hopes you may find some insights and tools for yourself. Ramifications on Personal and Professional Wellbeing Working hard  to achieve another promotion, only to find myself shut out from any possible progression had