The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) prohibits treating a job applicant or employee less favorably because of their age. The department protects people who are age 40 or older. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) also offers this protection.
Unfortunately, Houston and other major cities in Texas have historically been ranked among the top for generating the highest age discrimination charges nationally. If you believe you are facing age discrimination at work, here are a few signs to look out for:
Are you being passed over for promotions?
If you are qualified but are being passed over for promotions in favor of younger colleagues, you should be concerned. Look for patterns. Are all people who are being promoted younger? Are they less experienced or less qualified than you? How are your performance reviews against them?
Do people make offensive or derogatory remarks about your age?
If your employer, supervisor or co-workers are making offensive comments about your age so frequently or severely that it creates a hostile work environment, you may be experiencing age discrimination.
You should also pay attention to comments that are presented as “concern”. It’s not uncommon for coded language to be used to mask bias. For example, your employer saying you are overqualified for a role, asking if you are comfortable with the latest technology or saying they won’t include you in a project because they don’t want you to burn out.
Are you being pressured to retire?
Do you feel you are being pushed out? For instance, your hours have been reduced, you have been reassigned to less desirable tasks or your employer is openly asking about your plans to retire.
Age discrimination can limit career advancement, reduce job satisfaction and negatively impact your mental health. If you believe you are experiencing it, consider legal guidance to protect your rights.