Age discrimination works both ways. Generalising about generational differences- either up or down the decade- is bad for everyone.
The author of an article in success.com says that not many senior workers in companies are lucky to be spared by the management to continue work till they like.
'I expect that’s because some employers believe workers of a certain age are worn out and not as quick on the draw as younger employees. Or in-depth experience isn’t worth as much as the ability to hire two or three younger workers for the salary of one senior and hoping for the best,' the author says.
However the author says this is not true always.
'There are instances where the senior worker is replaced with a newbie. But in a short span of time the fresher is fired because of lack of experience,' the author says.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act forbids discrimination against people who are 40 or older when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.
The senior people and subject matter experts are mentors to younger colleagues.
'We have much to gain from relating to each other. My millennial co-workers are whip smart, serious about contributing and passionate about their work. They ask questions and they listen. I learn something from them every day, things like search engine optimisation, which I found doesn’t mean starting a stalled car by aiming it downhill and popping the clutch,' the author states.
The author added that the baby boomer peers came of age when social and economic equality gained prominence while the country was in the midst of political upheaval.
'Boomers have the breadth of experience to lay the groundwork for tomorrow and the resiliency to redirect the course if need be. Perhaps my inner flower child shows when I say diversity and inclusivity aren’t just throwbacks from the ’60s. These attributes are more important than ever,' the author mentions.
At 75.4 million people and growing, millennials have already overtaken baby boomers as America’s largest generation. Soon they will lead companies, political parties, the nation.
It’s incumbent on the generations that precede millennials to resist focusing on what makes us different from them. Instead, let’s share what we know and let them teach us, too.
