10 Ways to Avoid Being Treated Like a Baby at Work: Ask Margaret

Last time we discussed age bias from the 'over 29' perspective.

What about those of you newer to the job market--do you experience age-based discrimination? Condescension? Of course you do.  Just because you are young or new does not make you a baby, right? Here are some ideas to help you fit in.

1)   Don't laugh or snicker when your older co-workers
do not know what (fill-in-the-blank) means. This could mean a word you use that they do not, a TV show you watch that they do not, music you know that they do not. You get the picture. Mockery never earns points.

2) Don't roll your eyes at your co-workers if they
STILL do not know about the latest social media site OR they do not text o
carry a smart phone. Instead offer to help them if they show an interest.

3)  Be careful about discussing your personal life and
weekend exploits. Be very careful about discussing your partying or your love life (as-in, DON'T discuss your partying or love live). Any time you're sick, people will suspect a hang-over.

4) Dress appropriately for the workplace. If it's conservative, don't show lots of skin. Consider modeling your attire after someone who is successful at your workplace. You need not look just like them, but if nobody wears low-rise jeans baring tattoos, you ought to skip both.

5)  Watch your behavior at company-sponsored events.
Drinks or dinner with the team is still work. Would you get drunk and flash
your washboard abs back at the office? Probably not.

6) Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Of course you don’t
know everything, nobody does.

7)  Don’t be afraid to make suggestions. You were hired
for a reason and you are expected to make a contribution. (But note this point in the video. Don't suggest ideas already in action; pay attention).

8)  Complete your work on time and with high quality.

9)  Show up to work (and meetings) on time and prepared
to get down to business.

10) Don’t spend an excessive amount
of time texting your friends or on social media sites--unless that's your job. You are being paid to work.

Once upon a time when I was fresh out of college and at my first job, I
had a co-worker who insisted on calling me ‘kiddo.’ I hated it. I felt that it
was condescending. I would remind him that my name was not kiddo, it was Margaret, to no avail. Finally one day when he called me kiddo, I called him ‘Pops.’ He never called me kiddo again.

Of course today, I do not recommend name calling at work and I recognize
that my behavior was just as childish as his, but it did work. The point is to find your way to remind your co-workers that you are an adult professional and that you expected to be treated as such.

The best way to accomplish this is to consistently exhibit responsible
behavior at work. When you do, most of your co-workers will stop treating
you like a baby.

Until next time, wishing you peace at work. Remember to send
your questions to Ask@MargaretMeloni.com.
If you prefer to remain anonymous that's OK. I will not publish your name.

Download the movie