Ageism at Work

She-Migrator series
Essay on HUMAN RIGHTS by Oana Maroti

If you´re a woman, maybe you have felt age discrimination since your 20´s as shaming for not being married arrives at 21.

Before my 30s, I was already in the ageism bullying zone. After my 30s, at work, even in international environments, I felt that inclusion was often based on the perception of youth, which can´t be taken as a compliment.

Each person will pass through the same stages of life, some will show their age, some will not, and that´s personal.

Inclusion Matters, and for that, I´m inviting social media to change the narrative around ageism and ableism.

We are expected to have a constant job for more than 30 years to reach retirement. I can directly tell you that having part-time contracts or, in the case of immigration, working contracts that are not registered on time, leads to unfair treatment, resulting in numerous delays and problems. This can add 10 years of extra work and struggle if the work history is not continuous.

The fact that the system is so deteriorated human rights-wise enables people like me to even be considered for a recruiting process or to rent a room, in a shared flat, and by thus reduces life conditions. It feels like there is no way out, and it´s dehumanizing.

I have had the unfortunate to working in different companies where ageism was a tremendous issue, and any person above 30 is something exotic, 50+ is miraculous. Teams are even allowed to choose coworkers who are good for the party and such, in the strange spirit of team building.

Reliable persons are refused human treatment and struggle out there because those in charge of inclusion are creating age gaps, instead of diminishing them. Teams are more concentrated on bullying, and any formation will get rid of 40+ generations first with the excuse of technological knowledge issues. I have seen it with each recruiting process, and it´s gross, besides being inconsistent, and it should be illegal.

As an educational psychologist and someone trained in social inclusion techniques and inclusive teaching adapted to all ages and neurodiversity, I can tell you without hesitation that no effort is made to adapt the information, ensure an accurate data transfer or provide additional technical support.

If we avoid ageist or ableist reactions and adapt the information, there is no reason why everyone can't learn to use an online platform or application, regardless of their age. Furthermore, technology is considered advanced if it is inclusive, while customer support exists primarily thanks to an inclusion strategy.

Creating an inclusive work environment is in the public interest, as time is passing for everyone.

In conclusion, the limitations on human rights and employment opportunities for people considered "older" are a reality that must be changed.

I encourage everyone who works in online media or coordinates a group to strive to integrate and combat fascist ideas at work.