EP72: Ageism In The Workplace with Randi Zuckerberg

<p>Age is just a number. But in the workplace, your age can have a negative impact - maybe you were passed over for that promotion because your boss thinks you’re “too young”. Or maybe you feel that you weren’t hired for a position because the organization implied you were “too old”. Either way - this is ageism and we need to be more aware of it so we can address it.<br /> <br /> In data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is predicted that by the year 2024, workers aging 55 and older will represent 25 percent of the United States workforce. This trend will permeate many industries - and requires developing policies and protocols against stereotyping and age-related discrimination for people of all ages.<br /> <br /> In this episode of This is Getting Old podcast, I share the screen with investor, performer, media entrepreneur and "professional mom to startups" Randi Zuckerberg and engage in an insightful conversation on ageism in the workplace.<br /> <br /> Key points discussed in this episode:<br /> <br /> ✔️ The truth about aging women in tech. The culture continues that tech startups are mainly for young people.<br /> <br /> ✔️ Why starting a business late in life can be an advantage. Despite the industry being youth-centric, Randi posits that instead of feeling insecure about that, entrepreneurs should think of that as a competitive advantage with wisdom and experience to lean on. "You have such a bigger Rolodex at age 40 than you had at age 20 of contacts who you could hire or work with or partner or raise money from."<br /> <br /> ✔️ Seniors have high spending power. Women at 65 and older are the cornerstones of purchasing decisions in many households in an age where they have disposable income from their career, and they're using it. According to Randi, this age group is also driving so much tech adoption and the fastest growing demographic on social media. "I think it is a smart business decision to think about that woman as your customer. And I think more businesses are getting savvy to the f