Rochester Employment Lawyer Protecting Against Ageism in the Workplace
Equality is essential, especially while you’re at work. Nobody wants to be treated unequally to another person of equal importance. That’s why when ageism is apparent in the workplace, it can cause significant issues between the work dynamic. Ageism is a growing concern now that wages are not fully covering an increasing cost of living. There are plenty of concerns relating to ageism, but before understanding these, it’s important to understand what exactly it is.
What is Ageism?
Ageism, otherwise known as age discrimination, is when there is evident prejudice towards a person based on their age. This is often a concern for older individuals, but it is seen in younger millennials as well. If you’re not sure whether you’ve experienced or witnessed ageism in the workplace, there are various signs that can tell you if you have.
Signs of Age related discrimination in the Workplace
There are many signs of discrimination and they can all differ depending on the workplace that you’re in. Most frequently, ageism is reflected in older populations of adults. This means that if you’re an older individual, you may not be receiving the same opportunities as younger adults are. One obvious sign is through demeaning remarks about age.
Additionally, ageism can be seen if learning opportunities are being offered to younger folks, but not to older ones. An additional portrayal of age related discrimination could be if you’re left out of certain assignments because of your age, or if you’re overlooked when assigning challenging tasks.
A final example is seen where you’re passed over for raises and promotions. All of the above examples are frequent signs of ageism, and if you’re experiencing these, they can significantly affect you.
How Ageism Can Affect You
Ageism can affect people significantly in the workplace, not only in their careers but with their health, too. Firstly, it can prevent you from excelling in your career. It often puts a damper on the amount of opportunities that people are willing to give you. This can negatively affect you by restricting further growth opportunities.
In addition to ageism affecting in the workplace, it can negatively impact your health. Studies have shown ageism to cause cardiovascular stress, decreased productivity, and lower levels of self-confidence. Because of these reasons, it’s essential to handle it appropriately.
How to Handle Ageism
There are various ways that age discrimination can be handled to prevent further issues in the workplace. If you’re experiencing discrimination, the first step to improvement is to speak up. Instead of getting pushed around, it’s best to take a stand and stand up for yourself. You may be tempted to sit on the sidelines, but if you’re looking to combat ageism, confidence is key.
Additionally, consider being as independent as possible. If you begin to tell yourself that you aren’t capable of completing certain tasks because of your age, you won’t be able to in the future. That’s known as learned helplessness, and it can be avoided by being independent in life and in work.
Lastly, try surrounding yourself with younger people. They may be able to motivate you further.
Get Help Today
If, after speaking out against it, ageism is still apparent in your workplace, there are other measures you can take. Instead of letting life go on as is, consider hiring a lawyer to help you combat the unequal treatment you’re experiencing. This is legally unacceptable, and there are ways to ensure you are treated equally. If you’re looking to hire an attorney, consider working with Michelle Cimino at The Cimino Law Firm in Rochester. She has over 20 years of experience in her field and can help you overcome age discrimination in the workplace.
The Cimino Law Firm offers clients a confidential consultation to discuss their needs and how we can help you. Instead of letting life pass you by, stand up for yourself and call us for a confidential consultation about ageism today.
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