As an employee, you expect that your employer and coworkers will treat you fairly, regardless of your age. But as you get older, you may notice that you become the target of unfair treatment in the workplace.
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it is illegal to discriminate against people over the age of 40 at work. However, age-related discrimination still occurs, and you should be wary of the signs of it happening to you.
Unpleasant duty assignments
One of the biggest indicators your employer may want you to quit is if you start receiving assignments for unpleasant tasks at work. Your employer may do this in order to hire younger workers who are less expensive to employ.
Rude comments about your age
If, for example, your boss casually asks you about your plans to retire, this could be a sign of age discrimination. Keep an ongoing record of verbal and written communications between you, your employer and your coworkers that make any rude or inappropriate comments about your age.
Raises and promotions stop
If you regularly received raises and promotions in the past, but these abruptly stop, you could be the victim of age discrimination at work. You may also no longer receive recognition for your work and become eligible for advancements if age discrimination is happening.
Age discrimination in the workplace can become difficult to cope with, especially if it creates a hostile work environment. Watch out for these signs and other indicators that you could be the victim of age discrimination in the workplace before taking legal action.