Workers over the age of 50 are experiencing age-related disrespect and exclusion in the workplace, according to a new report.
Ninety percent of older employees surveyed by AI resume building platform Resume Now for its The Age Disrespect Report say they’ve felt discriminated against because of their age, and nearly half (47%) believe their younger colleagues show a lack of respect toward them.
“Despite their experience and dedication, older workers report being undervalued, overlooked, and spoken down to by co-workers and leadership,” Resume Now noted. “While 97% say their institutional knowledge is a key asset, many feel that day-to-day interactions tell a different story.”
Key findings:
- 90% of workers over 50 years old have experienced age discrimination in the workplace.
- 83% say they have at least occasionally felt disrespected by younger co-workers, with nearly half (47%) reporting that it happens often.
- 58% report earning less than younger colleagues for the same job.
- 43% say leadership treats older employees differently.
- 40% have received age-related comments at work.
- 27% have been told they are “overqualified” due to age.
- Only 4% say they have never experienced ageism on the job.
Generational divide: Disrespect and dismissal
The survey highlights a major disconnect between older and younger employees. While 90% of older workers describe their relationships with younger colleagues as generally good or respectful, a closer look reveals friction beneath the surface.
- 83% say they have at least occasionally felt disrespected by younger co-workers.
- 8% say younger colleagues are often dismissive or patronizing.
- 42% say the relationship is generally good but sometimes tense.
“These tensions reflect a workplace culture that often assumes older workers are out of touch, even as they remain deeply committed to their roles,” Resume Now says.
Exclusion, comments, and unequal pay
Ageism shows up in more than just attitudes. It also affects compensation, advancement, and daily inclusion, the report shows.
- 58% say they earn less than younger co-workers doing the same work.
- 24% have been passed over for challenging assignments.
- 18% have been excluded from meetings or company activities.
- 15% have been passed over for promotions in favor of less experienced younger employees.
- 12% have been pressured to retire or targeted in layoffs.
In addition, many of the workers surveyed report being subjected to age-related comments, with 40% saying they’ve heard them from co-workers or managers.
Still showing up with meaning and pride
Despite these challenges, older workers say they’re still finding value in their careers. The majority say their work gives them purpose and that they feel confident in what they bring to the table.
- 91% say their work is still meaningful or fulfilling.
- 81% say their age is actually an advantage in the workplace.
- 97% say their institutional knowledge is valued by their employer.
- 96% believe society respects older workers just as much as younger ones.
This mix of pride and frustration paints a complex picture of older workers in today’s workforce, Resume Now says.
“Too often, older workers are expected to quietly fade into the background, even while they’re holding teams together with their experience, patience, and insight,” Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now, said in a statement. “Respect shouldn’t decline with age. Employers who fail to recognize the value of older employees risk losing not just knowledge, but the kind of steady leadership that keeps workplaces grounded.”
Methodology: The findings provided were gathered through a survey conducted with 878 American workers over the age of 50 on May 20, 2025. Participants were asked about their experiences with age discrimination, relationships with younger colleagues, perceptions of workplace value, and attitudes toward career identity and fulfillment. Participants responded to various question types, including yes/no questions, open-ended questions, scale-based questions gauging agreement levels, and questions that permitted the selection of multiple options from a list of answers. Of the 878 respondents, 599 were between the ages of 50 and 59, 271 were between 60 and 69, five were between 70 and 79, and one was 80 or older.
Illustration credit: nicoletaionescu/iStock
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