In today’s blog and podcast, I take that mistaken belief system that “new is better” and look at it through the prism of ageism in the workplace. I explore its prevalence, manifestations, and impact on individuals. Additionally, I examine how ageism intersects with the concept of disenfranchised grief, shedding light on the emotional toll it can take on older workers.
1. I didn’t consider myself old at the time, yet maybe I was to others in the promotion and hiring process. When I think back to my time with two of the largest food service companies and how some people I trained were promoted and I was not, it might have been a clue in the world of ageism. I was not aware then. Recently, my experience with ageism seems to be more in the hiring and interview process. Sadly, in these instances, there isn’t an avenue for recourse. It does, however, create significant mental health issues and grief. One begins to feel lost in the world and worthless. I know from experience that this is an awful way to feel. Another part of this, too, is a lack of financial well-being. If I don’t work, I don’t make money or enough money to meet my obligations.
2. Remember when we said, “Don’t trust anyone over 30”? Well, I made it well past 30. I didn’t believe people wanted to work past a certain age, hit 60+, start looking for the retirement check, and sit back and enjoy something. Today, I know that isn’t true. The fact is, as an older worker, I believe that I (we) bring many positive aspects to the workplace. In the past, I might not have been as sympathetic to an older worker when I wasn’t that old. I worked in catering for many years, and sometimes, I didn’t understand how some of my older workers looked at situations differently than I did.
3. I don’t have to imagine that scenario. I live it! The problem I feel I face in the ageism employment world is that my preferred work area is where many younger people seem to populate the workforce. The only older people are the ones who have been around for a long time. I have not been around in a corporate world setting for a long time. Before Covid, I created my own business, and things were good then, but that all changed. But I want to address the feelings of uselessness being an outsider and not being valued. These hurt terribly, and I don’t know how I have gotten through those feelings without losing my mind. This is a huge mental health issue for me and others. I have a bit left in the tank, so let me use it.
4. This is a tough one, but I think this is also a more societal issue for the culture in which we live in the West. We don’t seem to value age and wisdom or respect older people. In the workplace, I believe leaders need to lead by example by hiring older workers, giving them a voice, and more.
5. This is a big one. Older people get pushed to the side. It hurts them and causes other areas of mental and sometimes physical distress and health issues that have a cost to families, individuals, and society. All discrimination hurts; this is just another area that touches all the places you mentioned. It just adds. How do we change this, though? That is a complex problem to solve. It begins with solving any discrimination issues. Yes, a tall order. I believe we all need to start with respect.
Laverne, thanks again for a great conversation!! Looking forward to our next podcast in the future. Keep inspiring!!
1. I didn’t consider myself old at the time, yet maybe I was to others in the promotion and hiring process. When I think back to my time with two of the largest food service companies and how some people I trained were promoted and I was not, it might have been a clue in the world of ageism. I was not aware then. Recently, my experience with ageism seems to be more in the hiring and interview process. Sadly, in these instances, there isn’t an avenue for recourse. It does, however, create significant mental health issues and grief. One begins to feel lost in the world and worthless. I know from experience that this is an awful way to feel. Another part of this, too, is a lack of financial well-being. If I don’t work, I don’t make money or enough money to meet my obligations.
2. Remember when we said, “Don’t trust anyone over 30”? Well, I made it well past 30. I didn’t believe people wanted to work past a certain age, hit 60+, start looking for the retirement check, and sit back and enjoy something. Today, I know that isn’t true. The fact is, as an older worker, I believe that I (we) bring many positive aspects to the workplace. In the past, I might not have been as sympathetic to an older worker when I wasn’t that old. I worked in catering for many years, and sometimes, I didn’t understand how some of my older workers looked at situations differently than I did.
3. I don’t have to imagine that scenario. I live it! The problem I feel I face in the ageism employment world is that my preferred work area is where many younger people seem to populate the workforce. The only older people are the ones who have been around for a long time. I have not been around in a corporate world setting for a long time. Before Covid, I created my own business, and things were good then, but that all changed. But I want to address the feelings of uselessness being an outsider and not being valued. These hurt terribly, and I don’t know how I have gotten through those feelings without losing my mind. This is a huge mental health issue for me and others. I have a bit left in the tank, so let me use it.
4. This is a tough one, but I think this is also a more societal issue for the culture in which we live in the West. We don’t seem to value age and wisdom or respect older people. In the workplace, I believe leaders need to lead by example by hiring older workers, giving them a voice, and more.
5. This is a big one. Older people get pushed to the side. It hurts them and causes other areas of mental and sometimes physical distress and health issues that have a cost to families, individuals, and society. All discrimination hurts; this is just another area that touches all the places you mentioned. It just adds. How do we change this, though? That is a complex problem to solve. It begins with solving any discrimination issues. Yes, a tall order. I believe we all need to start with respect.