Age Discrimination?

Question

I have been working at my current job for about a year and a half. Everything was going very well, I excelled quickly within my first 6 months and was promoted twice (due to the fact that the person had the job was doing it incorrectly). My boss said I was doing very well, and I even received "merit raises". For about the last 2 months I have began to dread my job, not because of the work, but because of the person that was sent in to "oversee" operations. My old boss is still my direct boss, but I also have to report to this other person. I feel that he degrades me, and makes me feel incompetent... wich I am not! I could put up with that, but now I am in fear of losing my job. I found out from my old boss that this new guy thinks I am too young to understand and handle the tasks of my current position, which I have been at for most of my employment with the company. I started working for the company when I was 17 as the receptionist, I was promoted to payroll clerk within

... about 2 months, and shortly after promoted again to accounting (AP/AR) clerk. I am only 19, which I know is very young, but I'm just as capable of doing what someone twice my age could do. Is this new person that "oversees" everything being fair in his judgement (he doesn't look over all of my work, my old boss does and has no problems) or his he being discriminative of my age and is there any aciton I can take?

Answer 1

Except for the first one, you got a lot of good and practical advice. Let me just add one legal point. You're too young to be subject to age discrimination. If you have to file a claim with the EEOC or the Human Rights Division of your state, claim sex discrimination instead. You refer to the other person as "he", so claim gender discrimination--not age. Even the remark that you're "too young" can bolster a sex discrimination charge. Other than that, I try some of the suggestions of the other folks who answered. Although I would not use the "BUSH IS AN IDIOT" or whatever the first answer was--doesn't seem real helpful :)

Answer 2

You must be doing a smashing job, cause you have been getting raises all along. You have been promoted as well. This guy maybe thinks that you don't understand the task at hand, but you can prove him wrong. I think his angle is to make you nervous so you might slip up and make some mistakes. If you no this, then you have the ace in the hole. You ignore this bag of wind. He is not your real boss, but a jealous straw boss. Maybe he wants your job. Have a nice chat with the head boss, and ask him if you are in jeopardy of loosing your job. You have been there a long time, and i don't think you have anything to worry about. Keep your head on your shoulders, and all will be fine.

Answer 3

There is no action you can take since there has been no action taken by the company. IF you are fired, you will have to prove it is solely due to your age and not due to your performance or simply a desire to restructure.

Your best bet is to sit down with the overseer and tell him that you've heard his concerns about your age and you would like to know what you can do to convince him that you are the right person for this job. Behave in a mature, grown up manner. Do not accuse him of anything, only ask how you can improve.

Answer 4

Age discrimination mostly involves discrimination against people who are 40 or older.

Based on what you've described here, I don't see any discrimination. It sounds like you have a potentially nasty person as a supervisor, but lots of people have to deal with that kind of thing, unfortunately. To date, there haven't been any adverse actions taken against you, really.

That doesn't mean that there aren't ways you can act to help the situation. One approach is to go to the supervisor and seek his guidance, asking him for ideas and then showing him when you complete those ideas successfully. Another approach is to start keeping an employment journal, where you write down anything questionable that happens each day; that way, if something happens later, you have extensive records.

Answer 5

Due to your continuation of promotions and raises, no one really has the right to say you are not doing your job well or you are immature because of your age. If your new boss tries to fire you, take him to court. You've got all your evidence: Your promotion, your raise, your old boss's warning, if they are good, performance reviews, and if you know any, customers can say how well you do your job. I'm sure you'll be able to keep your job.

Answer 6

Urgh, I know how you feel. I have a person who part-time overseas my work, as I have three jobs, and she treats me the same way, yet I am older than she is. It's a power play. They are egotistical and think they are better than anyone else. I have no doubt if someone older was in your position, he would treat them similarly. They tend to be very narcisistic.

I suggest you go to your boss and talk with him about it. Tell him you love your job and appreciate all the opportunities that have presented themselves to you due to your hard work. That you are very concerned about this guy and how he treats you. Tell your boss that he makes you fell worthless in your job and you don't appreciate the way he treats you. Do this very calmly, rationally, and as-a-matter-of-factly. See what your boss can do.

Answer 7

explain how you've been their since you were 17 & show your good work to the new guy...you know the company more than he does right? So just have confidence-i sereously don't think their going to fire you just because this new guy thinks your too young UNLESS he's buying the company-thats a whole other opinion

Answer 8

It may be age discrimination, but could alsobe challenging to actually prove without documentation of some sort. hang in there, & try to express your concerns in a non accusatory fashion to your old boss if you have enough trust there.

Good Luck !!

Answer 9

go to your direct boss because the chain of command is a important rule .so first if you don't get satisfaction from your boss then you go to his superior and up the ladder

Answer 10

Ah yes, the 'middle manager'. A common problem in a lot of positions - and not one that will necessarily go away with age.

I would definitely try to undermine him somehow. Make him look stupid to your boss, and knock him off his little pedestal.