Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

My wife (26) has been approached twice by her company about taking a significant position in the company. It seems like both times they have just been trying to gauge her interest in the position for the future. She has been witht he company about 3 years and has already been promoted 3 times, currently in a leadership role in Marketing. This is a large company.

Both times the person discussing this has brought up her age and that she may be "too young". My wife really isnt interested in the job right now so I guess its not a huge issue, but it really chaps my ass that older bosses/superiors use the "too young" reasoning.

Im the youngest guy at my job and am far, far ahead of most. I understand, in most cases, you dont want to hire an 18 yr old kid to run a company but someone in their mid 20s with a degree, experience and proven success?

Again, this isnt really an issue since there is no REAL interest in the position right now but my wife seems to think saying someone is "too young" isnt that big of a deal. Am I crazy?

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

You're crazy.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

This got me thinking about something i found out yesterday.

As some people here know i left Blockbuster (I was a Store Manager) and went to Sears to become an Assistant Store Manager (They pay alot better, better hours etc.) I applied for Operations Manager which is basically Inventory, LP, Paperwork etc. you know actual Operations. This older guy also applied from Blockbuster. He wanted to be the Appliances Manager. In the end i got the job he wanted (Brand Central which is basically all the Hardlines outside of Tools) and he got Operations. I found this odd as even though he was a Store Manager for Blockbuster as well, my store was MUCH more profitable and generally ran much better in the companies numbers. I wonder if they gave him the slightly better job due to age? Perhaps it was the 30 other years of experience? I don't know, but i found it be odd.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

I understand that with age, usually, comes experience. I work with guys who have done the SAME EXACT job for 20+ years. Well, in the past 3 years that job has changed drastically and they are falling behind. But, they still look down on younger guys because they have all the experience. If you are in the same position at the same place for 20+ years arent you doing something wrong?

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

"Too young" = "Too inexperienced" maybe?

EDIT: You basically posted about that just as I posted this. I'm just wondering if they are using young when they mean inexperienced with your wife, although that still isn't always a good reason.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

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"Too young" = "Too inexperienced" maybe?

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this may be the case honestly, im not really sure. But I would much, much rather hear that I dont have the experience they are looking for, not that im too young.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

That fact that your wife isnt interested may == "Too Young" also.

20's arent known for their stability. Someone older is less likely to just pick and move

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

Too young = she is a woman of childbearing age and they don't want to invest time in money in training only for her to take a maternal leave forcing them to not only replace her but hold her job for when she returns.

Obviously what they are doing is illegal but it is also completely reasonable.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

Good point.


I know noone who wants children less than my wife. But, Im also just talking in general, not just this case.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

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I understand that with age, usually, comes experience. I work with guys who have done the SAME EXACT job for 20+ years. Well, in the past 3 years that job has changed drastically and they are falling behind. But, they still look down on younger guys because they have all the experience. If you are in the same position at the same place for 20+ years arent you doing something wrong?

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I can speak to this . . .

I've been employed by the same corporation for over 20 years . . . IT work of various kinds. I have decent pay, benefits that are a very good fit for the particular problems I have to deal with, and a bunch of people around me that I've known for a long time and can trust.

Could I have made more money by moving around? Probably.

Would I have the same sort of job security if I had moved around more? Probably not.

Would I be happier? Not really.

As far as the skills vs. experience question, I think you can look to poker for a clear illustration of the values of each . . . and consider whether, as an employer in a particular situation, which qualities you need for that position.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

fwiw I think if the government manned up and executed a bunch of senior citizens every couple of months this problem would go away by itself

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

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Good point.


I know noone who wants children less than my wife. But, Im also just talking in general, not just this case.

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Next time they say she's too young she needs to wave her finger, moving her head side to side, and say, "I ain't having no babies."

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

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Good point.


I know noone who wants children less than my wife. But, Im also just talking in general, not just this case.

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Next time they say she's too young she needs to wave her finger, moving her head side to side, and say, "I ain't having no babies."

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I will forward this to my wife immediately.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

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Obviously what they are doing is illegal but it is also completely reasonable.

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I'm pretty sure that age discrimination is only illegal if you are over 40, so basically they can use the "too young" thing if they want.


If you were implying that its basically thinly-veiled sex discrimination, then you are correct that it probably is, but nothing you can do about it.

Also, everyone is right about the whole stability and child-bearing years stuff.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

Short answer:

Yes, nobody over 40 should be asked to go anything ever.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

I don't understand why they would "approach her" then tell her she's too young? Why not just not consider her in the first place? To me this is like teasing someone, "oh by the way, I was thinking about being your best friend but I chose Jim instead"

Admittedly, I'm only 20 so could be totally confused here about how promotions/selections are made but this doesn't make sense to me

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

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Short answer:

Yes, nobody over 40 should be asked to go anything ever.

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http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...179/diddle.jpg

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

OP-- Like others have said, they likely mean inexperienced, not too young. Another possible explanation could relate to the type of product she is marketing. For instance, her boss might be hesitant to put her in charge of a product intended for the middle age demographic, as she can't directly relate to it.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

One thing I can say from experience is that some customers expect to deal with someone that looks old. In particular, I am in the consulting industry and management at my clients is much more comfortable taking advice from someone with grey hair than from me (I'm 30 and look like I'm 17). It may be the case that they need someone "dignified looking" for the position to meet client expectations.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

Inexperience may be the factor and thats fine. But, they should say you arent experienced. Also its a company that prints magazines, she currently markets the company. The new position would be basically the rep for the company to a group of current customers FWIW.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

In the financial industry, older people are being let go all the time. They say it isn't because of age but it is. Fifty + year olds are very costly and take off more days than someone who is 30. So discrimination based on all ages occurs depending on the company and type of business, this is life. Maybe if you had a few more years of life experience you would understand this.

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

i almost didn't get my current job as product manager because of being 'too young'...i'm 26 but look 20. i ended up getting it, but i was told that is why it took so long for me to get the job...they almost decided not to go with me based on that

Re: Should age be a factor in a promotion?
 

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In the financial industry, older people are being let go all the time. They say it isn't because of age but it is. Fifty + year olds are very costly and take off more days than someone who is 30. So discrimination based on all ages occurs depending on the company and type of business, this is life. Maybe if you had a few more years of life experience you would understand this.

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Im clearly "too young" to understand.