Is this ageist?

[Rolaskatox]

Looking at graduate schemes, there are a lot in recruitment. One of the ads I clicked on when describing the advantages described them as a 'really young and sociable office'
I'm only in my early 30s, but even hearing that puts me off as I imagine everyone else being 21 or thereabouts and me being much older. Would you swerve something like this?
Afaik graduate schemes don't have an upper age limit? But I'm thinking that what if someone much older applied, would they be rejected as they don't fit in with the office?

I assume it's a small company, as in my experience of working in large organisations we've been told for years not to include such statements in job adverts, as it's seen as ageism. Ironic that the job is in the recruitment sector - you'd think they'd know better.

To the posters who say it's only describing the office culture, have you ever seen adverts including other types of descriptions of their workforce?

"Wide range of ages and life stages"

"Parent-age staff balancing work and family life and not interested in socialising outside work"
"Quiet office with workers who barely speak to each other"

No?

Also, I'd be suspicious of an office comprised only of young people. Do they not stick around long enough to become not-young? Suggests a high turnover of staff.

In the care industry there was once an ad for a carer who 'wasn't from an ethnic minority' due to mental health issues the client had.

From the national careers' service website: (FAO "who is eligible for graduate schemes?")

"Entry requirements
You'll usually need at least a 2:1 (upper second-class honours) to get a place on a graduate scheme. Some will allow a 2:2 (lower second-class honours) if you show potential and have a good CV. Some companies only recruit recent graduates. Others will consider anyone with a degree."

Our flat is through a rental agency and upon entering their office, it's clear that all staff are under 30. It's also got an incredibly high turnover rate as we've had 5 tenancy managers since February.

It doesn't sound like they're saying they'll discriminate against the aged and wrinkled, just that you might not want to join. But yeah it's tricky.
"really young and sociable office"
"really old and opinionated office"
"really black and political office"
"really white and middle class office"
I mean technically all the same but..

On the other hand, I know some older people who'd absolutely love that vibe

That's a very good point, it's seen as a positive to put 'really young and sociable' but who would ever write 'really old and quiet'.. nobody

Most graduates are young (21ish?) so it’s obviously targeted at that specific age group if it’s advertised as a graduate scheme of some sort. However, whether they recruit someone older or not will be down to whether that individual fits in and meets the criteria for the culture or working environment they are trying to create. Don’t think it’s ageist.

Age is a protected characteristic so they are being completely discriminatory using the words they have used in their advert. Graduates schemes are open to anyone who has graduated in the last 24 months.

You could definitely challenge what they have put in their advert.

YANBU that it is ageist. I think at 30 you’d might be ok.
However, I do know that my DH was rejected from every graduate scheme he applied to when he was 36 and it was obvious it was due to his age.

It just shows how behind people are with understanding the legal prohibition on ageism. It’s equally true to say someone might prefer to know that an office was all white people as they’d rather not be the only black woman. This would not make it ok to advertise saying the office had a white culture.