Analysis: Many young people at the start of their careers will face subtle discrimination or stereotyping in the world of work
By Jane Parry, University of Southampton and Barbara Sherriff, University of Brighton
Many professionals in their 20s and 30s entering the workforce will be familiar with accusations from older colleagues that they lack the necessary experience for the role and many will experience subtle discrimination or stereotyping. Research suggests age discrimination is u-shaped, with older and younger workers suffering the most.
Yet campaigning focus has tended to be around older workers, with less understanding of the issues faced by young people – and less protection afforded to them. Trade unions have highlighted the impacts of age discrimination on young people, from being belittled in workplaces to being bypassed for promotion and paid poor wages.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Brendan O'Connor Show, what is the workplace like for Generation Z workers?
As recent research shows, "youngism" can come from a combination of stereotyping of life stage and generation. For many, the Gen Z label has become an easy catchall for accusations of generational laziness and entitlement, repeated without justification in a way that wouldn't be tolerated around any other protected characteristic. Millennials will be familiar with this phenomenon too, having been blamed for killing off countless industries – from cereals to starter homes – and spending too much on lattes and avocado toast.
If you are one of the younger workers in your office, particularly in a field dominated by older employees, you might feel your talent or experience is undermined. But remember that you bring unique assets to the workforce. You have grown up asking important questions about inclusion – for example, around mental health and race – as a minimum expectation at work. And you are a digital native, comfortable moving between and experimenting with multiple platforms, as well as synthesising complex information from different sources.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, is it always a good idea to be friends with colleagues?
If you're on the younger side of gen Z, you may also have finished university or even school during the pandemic lockdowns. Your comfort with working flexibly or remotely will be an asset to employers, and you probably see value in retaining some shared workspaces for innovation and connecting.
In the meantime, here are some tips for coping with age stereotypes you may face in the world of work:
Schedule regular meetings
Meeting with your manager and colleagues can provide valuable opportunities for learning, while making sure that your needs and value to the organisation are visible.
Recent research found that younger workers' experiences of wholly remote working had been compromised by more deficient home working spaces and fewer opportunities to connect with colleagues. Meetings in person or on Zoom can be an opportunity to ensure your working needs are met, and give you a chance to bond socially with others in your team.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, are generational labels like Gen Z and Millennials pointless and unhelpful?
Share your expertise
Don't be afraid to to introduce colleagues to digital resources and suggest new ways of working or collaborating. Where you encounter prejudice and lazy generalisations, raise these as issues with your manager and suggest alternative ways of thinking.
Grow your network
Make time for lunches and social activities, volunteer for working groups, or join a trade union. Your colleagues can be a huge source of support in your career, so be deliberate about searching out connections in hybrid workplaces. There are many benefits to forming intergenerational relationships too, so reach out to colleagues outside of your age cohort.
Get the basics right
Understand how to raise points in meetings, how to manage conflict effectively, and how to write a professional email. There is a lot of good training out there, so make the most of it. It can help grow your confidence and give power to your voice.
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From RTÉ Brainstorm, how coffee badging became a new workplace trend
Understand your rights
Free and impartial advice relating to the workplace is widely available. When you are a young, new starter, you are unlikely to have positional power, so this kind of information can help redress the balance. Remember that most organisations don't do things wrong on purpose and want their employees to be happy and well supported, so offer collaborative solutions to problems wherever possible.
As working lives extend, age diversity has become a great opportunity for organisations – however, not all employers will get this right. If your workplace doesn't value your unique skills and perspective, it may be time to cut your losses and look for a new job. The best organisations will understand the benefits of intergenerational working, and will help support you to develop and thrive at work.
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Jane Parry is Associate Professor of Work and Employment at the University of Southampton, Barbara Sherriff is a PhD candidate at the School of Business & Law at University of Brighton. This article was originally published by The Conversation.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
