Age discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably, or not given the

same opportunities as others in a similar situation, because he or she is considered to

be too old or too young.

We can meet this discrimination in employment on the basis of age. It applies to

young and older workers alike. There’s discrimination in other areas of public life,
including education; getting or using services; or renting or buying a house. It is
unlawful to harass or bully another person because of his or her age.

Employees and potential employees

Stereotypes about young people and mature workers can greatly influence decisions
made during recruitment and in the workplace.

Examples of age discrimination could include:

 not employing certain people because they won’t ‘fit in’ with other employees
because of their age
 not employing younger workers because of assumptions that they will quickly
move on to another job
 advertising a position for someone aged ‘under 30’ to join a ‘dynamic, young
team’
 making choices around redundancy, or forcing someone to retire, because of
his or her age
 harassing or bullying a person because of his or her age.

AGEISM ON THE INTERNET

The boomers (baby boomers) and zoomers (gen Z) are at war on the internet.
Their best keyboard warriors are flinging insults in the form of OK boomer
memes.

The OK boomer meme comes from the tension between the baby boomer
generation and generation z and millennials.

Baby boomers mock millennials for expecting ‘participation trophies’ for

achieving the bare minimum and condemn them for ‘destroying’ once-stable
industries like retail chains. They also like to make fun of the millennial penchant
for eating expensive avocado toast for brunch. Millennials criticise baby boomers
for ‘mortgaging the future’ and ‘hoarding wealth’. They think baby boomers had
far better job opportunities than they.

So, what does “OK boomer” mean? The term “OK boomer” has become a viral
meme on the internet, used to dismiss out-of-touch baby boomers—when a
 younger person deems their opinion to be wrong or closed-minded. The Ok
boomer memes take an image and overlay text. We’ve found the best of them.

SOLUTIONS

1. putting in place policies and procedures to create a discrimination-free

environment.

2. Employers can also be held legally responsible for discrimination or harassment by

their employees.

3. Speak up. Don’t let yourself be pushed around because you’re older.

4. Engage in the world. People who stay active — mentally and physically — can
overcome ageism more easily. Follow the news. Live in the present, and look to the
future. Show your children and grandchildren that you’re aware of what’s going on
around you. Use email and social media if you feel comfortable — it can show your
grandchildren you can communicate like they do.

5. Be positive. Attitude has a lot to do with how people can overcome ageism. Relish
the experience and wisdom that come with age and put them to good use.

6. Be as independent as you can. “There’s a concept of learned helplessness, if you

assume that because you’re a certain age, you’re unable to do certain things, you
won’t be able to do them. You won’t lose those abilities if you continue to do for
yourself what you can.” Go shopping. Do your own banking. Eat out in restaurants.

7. Surround yourself with younger people. Younger people will help fight ageism.
“There’s also that energy that comes from being with people who are younger to
motivate you to push yourself.

8. Exercise. It’s another way to stay young.