Real Talk on Age Discrimination

Hey Besties!

Ever had that moment where you realize you have an important work thing… right after a company happy hour? We have another meeting crasher this week, Maureen Clough, who knows that feeling all too well. One minute, she was enjoying a margarita, the next, she realized she had a job interview (Oof.) But instead of panicking, she pulled it together - because if there’s one thing we all need in the workplace, it’s adaptability.

This week, we’re talking about age discrimination at work - how it shows up, what to do about it, and what Colorado is requiring that all employers could learn from.

In This Episode:

• Intro Story: Maureen Clough had a happy hour and a job interview in the same night. Did she ace it? Did she regret that drink? We’ll let her tell you how it played out.

• Corporate Cringe Speak: “We’re looking for a culture fit.” Translation: “We only want people who look and think like us.” Yikes. (Listen to find out the term we’d recommend instead)

• Hot Topic: Age discrimination is real. Candidates over 40 are getting passed over, younger employees struggle to be seen as leader, and job postings are full of coded language that signals bias. We break down how to spot it, address it and what to actually do about it.

• Questions & Comments: Work friendships across generations? This. We talk about why those matter so much (and not just at work).

Discussion Guide – For Your Next Podcast Discussion Group or Team Meeting:

• Culture Shift: What’s a better way to talk about team fit (and how you want people to work together) without bringing in biases or making people feel like “The Other”?

• Age & Bias: If we wanted to remove ageism from hiring, how could we make sure hiring managers and those interviewing understand why and how to do it?

• Generational Gold: What’s something valuable you’ve learned from a coworker in a different generation (older or younger)?

Meet Our Guest: Maureen Wiley Clough

Maureen Wiley Clough is a speaker, content creator, and brand partner tackling ageism and the value of an intergenerational workforce. Follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, and check out her podcast “It Gets Late Early” at itgetslateearly.com.

That’s it for this week, Besties! Whether you’re the workplace mentor or the one keeping your older coworkers from getting scammed on Venmo (sorry, but it happens), we love a good intergenerational team.

Happy Hump Day! XOXO,
HR Besties

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