"Last week I was put on the spot during some office banter when a colleague openly asked my age. I found this hugely embarrassing. If I had given a correct answer, I know some people would have been surprised and, given that there is undoubtedly ageism in Irish workplaces, it might even have been damaging. So I lied and shaved five years off."
"Reading your question reminded me of something my late mother-­in-law once said. I was 21 at the time, and when someone in the room asked my age, she immediately corrected them. "You can never ask a woman her age," she insisted, explaining that it was always rude, and that buying a birthday card with a number on it was even worse. Back then, I didn't think much of it, but now - no longer 21 - I see her point."
"I also recall a colleague telling me she had been asked by a male prospective employer - not once, but three times - for her age. She was in her late 20s at the time. Her age had nothing to do with her ability. In fact, she was far more suited to the role than many people who were older. It was irrelevant information, and the manner in which it was sought told her a lot about the company. Because while these questions rarely spring from malice, they may reflect a company culture that hasn't quite caught up with the fact experience and ability are not tied to a number."
An employee was asked their age during office banter, felt embarrassed, and lied, shaving five years off. A managing director who knew the actual age noticed the sensitivity. A family anecdote insisted that asking a woman her age is rude and that numbered birthday cards are worse. A colleague was repeatedly asked her age by a male prospective employer despite being well suited to the role. Such questions are irrelevant to ability, can signal outdated company culture, and can make people uncomfortable. HR already holds age information and there is no operational reason for others to ask.
Read at Irish Independent
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