Is Ageism alive and well at your place of work?

I recently got back from Lunch, a friend of mine and I went to our campus pub. (They have greay Reubans)
He was telling me about how many problems he is having at his new place of employment due to ageism. We are both the same age, 34, and he has had difficulty for quite a while due to his fair complexion. Me, on the other hand, am a rather large fellow, 220 6’ 1" or 2" depending on shoes…and I do not have much problems with people thinking I am younger than I am.
He however, is called Sport, and Tiger, and Young Fella all the time. I truly feel for him, and it got me wondering…how much does this happen across the country, or all around the world?
I was recently on a trip to Boston where I noticed the people walking around Quincy Market and the financial district looked overwhelmingly young to me. Mid-20’s mainly.
Prejudice and discrimination towards any age group is a terrible thing to partake in, and I do not cast judgement on anyone because of their age. I know the elderly have been particularly affected by ageism in the past, but with the growth of thousands of college educated people taking to the streets each year in search of good jobs, I see how the younger populace may in fact be prejudiced against more and more in the future.

I told my friend not to worry, and to do his job like the expert he is in his field.
Anyone here experience ageism either from above or below? What is the situation, and how do you deal with it?

Not so much my place of work as my industry. In magazine publishing, unless you’re at the very tip-top, you’re dead after 40. Which means when I lose this job (and no job is forever), I gotta completely change professions.

I recently heard a startling statistic. A person graduating from college after 2000 will more often than not change jobs 10 times in their lifetime. And possibly change careers 3 to 4 times.
That is astonishing in my mind.
I work in academia and am quite solid where

I recently heard a startling statistic. A person graduating from college after 2000 will more often than not change jobs 10 times in their lifetime. And possibly change careers 3 to 4 times.
That is astonishing in my mind.
I work in academia and am quite solid where I work. If I should change careers, it will be of my own fruition…My wife however, is in publishing as well Eve and is concerned about the same thing.

Not here I am happy to say. I see people of all ages getting hired both on staff and on the faculty and getting the same respect as well. It’s kind of nice.

Actually, Phlosphr, that was a pretty funny hamster error: "I work in academia and am quite solid where . . . "

I’m in my mid-20s, but I’ve been told I look younger. Despite the fact that I take pains to behave professionally and dress conservatively, I know my age makes it hard for some people to take me seriously. People seem to feel no qualms about asking my age or making comments about my looks in a professional setting. I’ve been told, while at work, “Oh, you don’t look old enough to be out of high school,” “You’re awfully young to hold that position, aren’t you?,” and, my favorite, “You’re a pretty little thing.”

Never mind the fact that I have an advanced degree, years of experience in my field, and a supervisory position. I’m just a kid and can’t possibly know what I’m doing. :rolleyes:

I work for State Government… And we get all types here. When I had a secretary, he was a 65 year old retired master sargeant. Not a problem. His direct supervisor was a 19 year old college student.

Although I have to admit, as I get older, it’s beginning to bother me that they’re hiring prepubescent children. Smart people, great to work with… but the newest secretary was born the year I graduated from high school. <shaking my cane> Dang whippersnappers! </shaking my cane> Stop making me feel old. Whaddayamean, you don’t know Wham or in your life, Elton John was never straight or married??? Damn, I’m old.

I’m 23. I have a law degree, a business degree, 12 months full-time work experience and temp jobs with half a dozen professional firms under my belt. I’m fairly useful around the office. I look young, however, and I’m forever reminded of that fact in my work environment. Some older men – some who had their degrees before I was even born – tend to patronise me and others are a mildly hostile (in that ever-so-stupid competitive masculine manner). Some older women tend to protect me, in a motherly kind of way (“oh Jervoise, are you all right with that? Gooood! Great!”)

This is mildly irritating, but whether this affects my career prospects is another matter. Thankfully, my employer is pretty intent on encouraging younger people in the organisation to take on more senior roles.