Signs of Age Discrimination in the IT industry
It may not come as a surprise to older employees that there is an ageism problem in the IT industry. Nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce is aged 55 and older. The ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act), which passed in 1967, was designed to protect individuals age 40 and older from age-based discrimination in the work-place.
From questionable job postings to excluding company culture, ageism in the tech industry is often visible. If you feel that you have been discriminated against in the tech field, reach out to an attorney who specializes in employment discrimination law.
Ageism Can be Hidden
Most organizations are aware enough of the law that they avoid asking overly specific questions about your age during the hiring process. However, an in-person interview can be enough to give them some insight to your age without hiring managers having to actually ask.
One study revealed that those aged 29 and over were already experiencing age discrimination in the tech industry. It can be hard to realize that you’re being discriminated against when you can’t get past an interview. However, that in and of itself, can be a clue that you’re being discriminated against due to your age.
Main Signs of Age Discrimination in the Workplace
For those that have gotten through the hiring process, spotting age discrimination in IT can be unpleasantly easy. A few examples to look for include:
- Workers in your age bracket being offered buyouts to resign
- You are suddenly and without reason demoted
- You stop receiving pay increases but you’re not at the top of your salary bracket
- Managers hint at retirement or an inability to learn due to your age
If you have experienced any of the above issues, it may be time to talk to a legal professional about your rights. If ageism happened with you, contact New York age discrimination lawyer to get consultation of what you should do next.
Company Doesn’t Plan Inclusive all Ages Activities
Company sponsored outings can be a great way to build morale amongst employees. Team-building activities can be fun, as can sharing a meal as a group. However, if the activities are only geared towards a younger demographic, then it can feel as if you’re being purposely excluded as an older employee.
Simply planning events without the consideration of what the older employees may be able to participate in, is a problem. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical activity either as plenty of older workers are in better physical shape than their young peers. However, they also may have more familial obligations to deal with on weekends and late evenings.
Age is not the Same With Experience
One of the issues in dealing with ageism is that some people wrongly assume you are unable to learn new things. Keeping current with training and trends in the tech industry can help insulate you from this negative view and prevent ageism from affecting your career.
You Didn’t Get Any Promotions
There could be a number of reasons why someone wouldn’t receive a promotion or a raise. Lack of experience, ability to lead, or attitude can also prevent someone from being given a promotion. However, taking a look at a company’s hiring and promotion practices, makes it easier to see if ageism is built into the foundation. If promotions are only given to younger workers, it’s a huge red flag.
If you believe you didn’t receive a promotion due to your age, it’s important to have your case reviewed by a legal professional who can explain your rights to you.
Comments about your age
It can be hard to realize that your employer is hoping you will leave your position. Whether they ask you about your age directly or make hints about your ability to learn due to your age, the implicit bias is that you’re simply too old to be of value for much longer.
If you notice that training is only offered to your younger co-workers or you’ve been teased about retirement, call us today to see how we can help you with your case regarding age discrimination in the IT industry.
If You Are The Victim of Age Discrimination
If you feel that you have been the victim of ageism in the tech industry, documentation will be helpful for your case. Keep a log of any inappropriate interactions that you have with co-workers and management. Retain copies of your performance reviews so you have a track record of positive performances. The hope is that you can get the issue resolved peacefully with your human resources department by showing them the evidence of how you have been treated. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to contact a professional.
We know that older employees face an increasing number of barriers to employment. At Moshes Law, we believe in helping people who have been discriminated against based on age.
Yuri Moshes is passionate about helping his clients. Raised in Brooklyn, his law practice is based in both New York and New Jersey. Whether he’s taking CrossFit or rooting for his favorite hockey team, Yuri believes in driving towards the future and being innovative in areas of the legal field.
