Colleague called me a relic at lunch, would you report it?

[Sacredbirman]

Had lunch with my colleague and a new intern. I was talking to the intern and she asked how long I had been in the company. I said over 20 years.
Other colleague said yes, she’s a relic.
Feeling a little hurt by this. My DD thinks I should report to HR.
What would you do? Already feel insecure in my job as HoD has made it clear he doesn’t want older women in his team (I am early 50s).
Part of me wants to just laugh it off but there is also a bit of background that he got my role when I had burnout and when I returned I wasn’t reinstated and then he was promoted to the same level as me.

I’d hope your HR department would have more important things to sort out, get a grip.

Exactly. I would replied ‘Your 46 Kevin, so no spring fucking chicken yourself.’ And laughed.

So many people lack a personality and just jump straight to complaining and being offended.

Good grief when did people become so sensitive? I would be laughing my head off at that!!

I totally agree with you Vallies.
It's the quickest way to alienate you from your colleagues.
If it had been something bad then of course. This is as you say a throwaway comment.

Sounds like you should be reporting your boss if he has made it clear he doesn’t want you in his team - that is something to complain about.
I would, however, shrug the relic remark off and try and come up with something to reply in future to remarks like that like ‘ yes if being a relic means I know what I’m doing then yes, I suppose I am’

Given that nothing was done about what sounds like clear bigotry, potential inclination to illegal discrimination, and hostile working environment from your HOD, I wouldn't expect anything positive from reporting this incident. Especially since your colleague is not that much younger than you I'd be inclined to try to take his comment in the context it was delivered, meaning you have been at the company for a long time and probably have information, experience and memories that are rare/in short supply. I'm not saying the word doesn't have negative connotations and wasn't an unfortunate word choice, but it has some neutral and positive ones too (priceless relics, etc.). Drawing attention to your age could be an issue, but he didn't divulge any information you hadn't already shared. If he'd said "relics like Sacredbirman are holding back the company / living in the past" or something, I'd be more inclined to react.

actually, as even the OP has posted, its not

Agree, seems OP is offended because he's a man who took her job.

Let it go OP and try not to take work advice from your snowflake DD.

I think that it’s extremely unprofessional and undermining to refer to a colleague in that way. I would speak to the person who made the remark and tell them exactly that. The last time I had to do something similar the person said, “why didn’t you say something at the time “ and the answer to that is, “I’m saying it now”.
I’m sorry that you had to deal with that and quite shocked at how many people don’t see anything wrong with it.

Oh dear. Please get a sense of humour before you really are a relic.

For heaven’s sake. Get a sense of humour and a grip.

Give your head a wobble?

Absolutely my love 😁x

But the colleague didn't call her plump, so the responses are not in relation to that are they?

Goodness I’m really amazed and saddened by these responses. It is most definitely an ageist and belittling comment. Whether it’s a HR issue or not, I’m surprised at the lack of support given the power dynamic. Man in his 40s insults older female employee. How depressing that so many think this is perfectly ok and nothing to see here.

My post was joking and definitely not to be taken seriously.

I wouldn't like it, but certainly wouldn't report it

I find the term relic quite derogatory. It’s infers that the person/object doesn’t fit into the current context. So I think you’re within your rights to be irritated by it.
I probably wouldn’t report OP but I’d mark his fucking card and make sure he knew it.

All the people making little of it have not been on the receiving end of, or have overheard casual ageism in the workplace.
I’ve heard more of it from women than men so far.
When you’re in your fifties and conscious of hanging onto your job you’ll have a different take on it.

Wouldn’t report, as it will not help you at all and you’ll just be seen as a moaner and people will be scared to interact with you! Lighthearted silly comment just forget about it and move on with life!

this coupled with the managers desire not to have older women in the team is why OP needs to go to HR with it.

You are in a union, right?

HR is not a complaints service.

After 27 years at the same workplace I was known as 'Yoda', used to my face. I took it as a compliment which I believe it was meant as.

Am I small and green? Err, no.

I was called the burden behind my back..redundant at 54 after 13 years.