Re, zobroward #19, yes, quite right & a good point.
You can sue for “reverse ageism”, of course, but I’m not sure what a judge would be able to do with it. There is no duty under the law to protect younger folks. It’s not a “thing”, (i.e., an actionable claim). You can’t point to a law/regulation that was violated. So there is nowhere to go with it. but ppl still sue…
We have this a lot. Kids seem to run off to HR on a dime nowadays. Sad, bc learning to handle this is part of the “experience” one needs. I would think this incident just proves the point! They love feedback. Heaven for it you give frank, transparent feedback they don’t like!!
Many kids just think us older ppl are dinosaurs sucking the corporate ladder dry and think we should retire so they can move up…maybe your H’s friend should claim age discrimination, bc if he WAS 30, this employee would not have made this claim. Or bc the company would not have gone to such lengths. Companies also want to let us go…bc we cost the most. That is probably the real issue.
The “reverse ageism” phrase was partly meant tongue-in-cheek, since it appeared that was the charge the consultant was making against the exec for saying one of his own direct reports needs more seasoning/more time in his current job before moving up. According to the consultant’s report, the exec should be required to take sensitivity training, presumable regarding ageism. I found that interesting, given that the exec is >60. Some posters made good suggestions about how the exec’s response could have been better worded to focus on the DR’s skill development, which I had not considered.
Dh has yet to pass 60. When he was 55, he was told by a Big 4 partner that he was “too old” to be considered for what would have been a lateral move to a company similar to his employer. (We were considering a move to another state and dh learned of a possible opening that was a good fit.) His concern about his older friend is that this consultant’s report could be used as an excuse to get rid of the exec, who is not ready to retire. If the company did terminate the exec and promote the direct report, on the surface it would appear there’d be a significant savings. I’m convinced it could cost them a lot more, and not just because of the settlement that would (I’m certain) eventually be reached with the exec.
I have a lot of respect for the exec, but this is not the first time someone has cooked up a spurious (IMHO) charge. His job requires him to say no a great deal, which is not popular. I’d better not post any more on this, but do want to express my appreciation for the comments.
Good luck to your friend - just saw another friend over 50 escorted out today; change effective immediately, no notice and I really wonder how much loyalty can be expected from corp america anymore when an exec is seen simply as an expense item - not a valued seasoned leader.
I am grateful H’s experience and history with the fed govt was appreciated instead of being seen as deadweight. In fact, they valued him so much, they found funds to bring him back for 6 months after he retired! He finally stopped working totally after he had turned 70!
It is very sad that age and experience is often undervalued, to the detriment of companies everywhere.
Document, document, document the heck out of everything you do.
My friend was canned (ahem, reorganized away) at a Fortune 50 company after 10 years of glowing annual reviews.
To be honest, if the ONLY thing holding back a promotion is “lack of experience” or “breadth”, the next question is “what do I need to do to get it?”
If the answer is “live 10 more years”, that IS ageist.
If the answer is “I’d like you to do X, Y, and Z training” and “I’d like you to travel to our Podunk plant and take over as acting head of widgets”, then that is quantified and the junior person would also expect “if I do well, I am promoted”.
“Document, document, document the heck out of everything you do.”–sadly it is true this should be done. what a joyous way to spend a non productive stressful workday…but it is CYA! (cover your a–) and assume your enemies are doing the same!..and many people thought the bullies on the elementary school playground or high school locker were left behind when you entered adulthood.
Age discrimination may be related to the general expectation of rising pay, rank, and responsibility with increasing seniority. However, most organizations have only limited numbers of high pay, rank, and responsibility jobs, so that if one wants to keep climbing the organization chart, there could be a considerable amount of office-political competition. The more cutthroat co-workers may be looking for any way to eliminate the competition (e.g. by getting others accused of illegal discrimination or other illegal things that the organization cannot ignore).
ucbalamnus— there are some who will use the ethnic/race/sex age card as a dagger to try and get their way. I have dealt with this several times. it is uncomfortable to say the least.
"To be honest, if the ONLY thing holding back a promotion is “lack of experience” or “breadth”, the next question is “what do I need to do to get it?”
This assumes that there are unlimited opportunities for promotion, as long as one is “capable.”
What if those positions the candidate needs to get the necessary experience are currently filled by others doing their own job and gaining their own experience?
At times, you need to sit tight, bloom where you are planted, etc.
fendrock…"This assumes that there are unlimited opportunities for promotion, as long as one is “capable.”
What if those positions the candidate needs to get the necessary experience are currently filled by others doing their own job and gaining their own experience? "
that falls under the category of life is not fair. you are correct “At times, you need to sit tight, bloom where you are planted, etc.” obviously the younger person in this situation does not want to do that.
plan b for a young antsy person …could involve looking for a new job (hard, scary and not necessarily going to lead to nirvana even if you find one) or go for the moonshot and start your own company. ( I wish I had that tenacity, intellect and $$$ to do it…I for one am to conservative in my risk taking to do that.) risk taking without a family to support and the ability to move back to mommy and daddy’s proverbial basement makes that much more desirable at a younger age. separate from the responsibilities you have when you are older you are more mature and wiser which probably hurts the entrepreneurial mindset because you are not naïve and more risk adverse. but I digress (as always)
back to the op… hopefully nothing comes of it and the op’s friend can quickly refocus on his job. but the op’s post is a good reminder to everyone that at the current time in american work culture…holding your tongue and playing the"political" game at work is part of the job. (does it make the worksite less productive and managers/executives less effective…yes…but they have to play the game)