Was I an idiot or was work colleague

[Redcliff]

I have just had a very unnerving experience at work and would love to get others take on it. I started a new job a couple of weeks ago and I just had a meeting with a manager today - we have a pot of money to spend on apprentices and he has not used much of it (we as an organisation paid into it and lose the money if its not used) .

I mentioned a couple of ways we could use it and his response was "young people are trouble " (ie when you employ them) I said (politely I think) that I thought that sounded a bit ageist and he replied "I am going to have to watch what I say around you" . He was serious- not said in a banter way at all. Should I not have said anything?

Hollow - perfect response. I have said to him before its about how you advertise and assess and I thought he had taken it on board - maybe I have a way to go.

I’d have been tempted to answer the git with ‘Yes, please do watch what you say around me. It’s a great starting point!’

⬆️This, a million times over! ⬆️

Discrimination because of age is every bit as bad as discrimination because of sex, race, sexuality or ethnicity! Your new boss is a dick, at least you know.

Discrimination because of age is every bit as bad as discrimination because of sex, race, sexuality or ethnicity!

Of course it is - do you want to be operated on by the 18-year old surgeon or the 40 year old one?

Age is different from experience. The 40 year old surgeon might have stepped into the operating theatre for the first time aged 39.

Legally, age discrimination can be lawful if it is a proportionate means to achieve a legitimate aim. So if a job needs ten years experience you can't employ a twenty year old. And that is fine. You don't need to interview them to find out, you just know.

Of course it is - do you want to be operated on by the 18-year old surgeon or the 40 year old one?

That's a silly analogy as an 18 year old wouldn't be qualified to perform surgery as they wouldn't have had a chance to go to medical school yet*. Being qualified and experienced is a totally different issue.

*Unless of course, your surgeon is Doogie Howser MD (one for the eighties' kids there)