The Majority of Workers Over 50 Feel Written Off Professionally
A new study reveals that despite all the DEI efforts, ageism still persists. From being told they’re “too old” to feeling sidelined at work or judged for wanting romance, adults over 50 face widespread age bias. The survey of 1,000 over-50s reveals that 62% of professionals over 50 feel written off professionally because of their age, while 71% admit they are underestimated by society. And when it comes to dating over 50, 38% have lied about their age when meeting someone new, with 12% cutting more than five years off, and men are about twice as likely as women to do so. At the same time, 62% say it’s a dealbreaker if someone lies to them about their age.
In the workplace, too many people in their 50s and 60s are still treated as if they’re past their prime, when in reality there’s no reason these decades can’t be their most ambitious, creative, and fulfilling. Many people over 50 feel empowered by their life’s accomplishments, and rightfully so.
According to Jaime Bronstein, LCSW – therapist and a resident expert at DateMyAge, standard advice such as ‘network more’ or ‘stay positive’ is actually harmful. She explains: “Not only are those hollow clichés, but they subtly imply that age is a problem. A better approach? Keep doing what got you this far: learning, contributing, and shaping the future. It will stop age bias from chipping away at your confidence – and provide solid proof of your value whenever anyone doubts it.”
7 tips to make age irrelevant in your career – and show bias who’s boss
Show you’re still evolving:
Don’t just pick up new skills – put them to work. Design new processes, pilot new technology, and encourage cross-department collaboration. If you’re producing tangible change, no one can question whether you’re simply coasting towards retirement.
Be the source of new intelligence:
With age comes the assumption that you’re out of touch. So become the person who knows everything – competitor moves, industry trends, and regulatory changes – before it becomes common knowledge. If you stay ahead of the curve, they’ll have no choice but to keep you at the table.
Regularly rebrand your role:
Don’t let your title define you. Whether you’re leading AI implementation or developing sustainable strategies, consider how your role has changed and use that to rebrand yourself in today’s market. It shows that age is no barrier to adaptability or ambition.
Deliver business-critical value:
Make sure your work delivers what really matters: revenue, savings, market share, or risk mitigation. Modest improvement can save your employer millions – and if the numbers are positive, nobody will care how old you are.
Plant your flag in the company’s future:
Get involved in projects that will shape the company over the next decade – market expansions, transformation initiatives, and sustainability programs. When you’re the one building the future, no one can suggest you’re stuck in the past.
Lead the succession conversation:
Don’t wait for leadership to write you off. Start the discussion, make clear you have no intention of leaving, and set out your plans to continue leading while you find and shape your successor.
Mentor young talent:
Mentoring isn’t only about giving back – it’s also one of the surest ways to stay relevant. Spend time with younger colleagues and you’ll naturally pick up on cultural shifts, discover new tools, and even see problems through a different lens. All of that comes in handy. More importantly, it helps you reestablish yourself not just as an expert, but as someone essential in shaping what comes next.
Written by Svetlana Goryushkina, Chief People Officer at DateMyAge