Quick Answer
What are examples of age-based harassment in the workplace? Common examples include jokes, nicknames or comments about someone’s age, such as “old timer”, “boomer” or “too young to lead”. Others are assuming older workers cannot learn new technology, leaving people out of training or projects because of their age, and pressuring someone to retire. It can target younger and older workers. In Australia this behaviour can amount to unlawful age discrimination, and harassment is a psychosocial hazard employers must manage.
In this guide
Age-based harassment in the workplace is a serious issue that can have a detrimental effect on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. It can also create a hostile work environment for others and negatively impact a company’s productivity and bottom line.
What Counts as Age-Based Harassment?
Age-based harassment is unwelcome conduct directed at someone because of their age, or the age group they belong to, that offends, humiliates or intimidates them. It can be a single serious incident or a pattern of smaller comments and slights. It affects people at both ends of a career, and people in the middle.
Ageism is widespread in Australia. In the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2021 national survey, 90% of people said ageism exists in Australia and 83% said it is a problem.
Examples of Age-Based Harassment
Examples of age-based harassment in the workplace include:
- Making derogatory comments or jokes about an individual’s age, such as referring to them as “old timer” or “over the hill.”
- Singling out older employees for demotions or layoffs while keeping younger employees in similar positions.
- Ignoring or belittling the contributions of older employees or failing to provide them with the same opportunities for training and development as their younger counterparts.
- Discriminating against older employees in the hiring process, such as by setting age limits for job applicants or preferring younger candidates for promotions.
- Using age as a pretext for disciplinary action, such as firing an older employee for a minor infraction while overlooking similar behaviour from a younger employee.
It’s important to note that age-based harassment can happen to both older and younger employees.
More Examples for Older and Younger Workers
| Behaviour | What it can look like | Who it often affects |
|---|---|---|
| Age jokes and nicknames | Calling a colleague “boomer”, “grandpa” or “the kid” in meetings or group chats | Any age |
| Assumptions about technology | Leaving an older worker off a new system rollout because “they won’t get it” | Older workers |
| Dismissing ideas because of youth | Telling a younger employee they are “too young to understand how things work here” | Younger workers |
| Retirement pressure | Repeatedly asking when someone plans to retire, or hinting that they should | Older workers |
| Exclusion | Leaving someone out of travel, projects, social events or development opportunities because of their age | Any age |
| Condescension | Talking down to a younger employee, or over-explaining simple tasks to an older one | Any age |
One comment may seem minor. Repeated comments, or comments from a manager, add up and can be harassment.
Is Age-Based Harassment Unlawful in Australia?
Several laws can apply:
- Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth): makes it unlawful to treat someone less favourably at work because of their age. Harassment based on age can form part of unlawful age discrimination.
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth): age is a protected attribute under the general protections, so an employer must not take adverse action, such as dismissal or demotion, because of a worker’s age.
- Work health and safety laws: harassment is a psychosocial hazard, and employers must identify and control the risk of it, as far as is reasonably practicable.
- State and territory anti-discrimination laws: also cover age, and some name harassment directly.
Which law applies depends on the facts, so get advice on a specific case.
What Employers Should Do
Employers have a legal obligation to prevent and address age-based harassment in the workplace. They should establish a zero-tolerance policy and provide regular training to all employees on what constitutes age-based harassment and how to report it. Employees who experience or witness age-based harassment should report it to their supervisor or human resources department immediately. For a step-by-step approach, see our guide on how to identify, prevent and respond to age-based harassment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, age-based harassment is a serious issue that can have adverse effects on employees and the workplace. Employers need to take steps to prevent and address it and for employees to speak up if they experience or witness it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can younger workers experience age-based harassment?
Yes. Age-based harassment can target anyone. Younger workers report being talked down to, ignored or told they are too inexperienced to contribute, simply because of their age.
Is age-based harassment the same as age discrimination?
They overlap. Age discrimination is less favourable treatment because of age, such as being passed over for promotion. Age-based harassment is unwelcome conduct, such as jokes or comments, that offends, humiliates or intimidates. Harassment can form part of unlawful discrimination.
Is a joke about someone’s age harassment?
It can be. A one-off light comment may not be, but repeated jokes, nicknames or comments that the person finds offending or humiliating can be harassment, especially from a manager or in front of others.
What should I do if I experience age-based harassment at work?
Write down what happened, when, and who saw it. Report it to your manager or human resources, following your workplace policy. If it is not resolved, you can contact the Australian Human Rights Commission. If the behaviour led to dismissal, a general protections claim generally has to be lodged with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days.
Sources
Australian Human Rights Commission, What’s age got to do with it? (2021)
Australian Human Rights Commission, Know your rights: age discrimination
Federal Register of Legislation, Age Discrimination Act 2004
Fair Work Ombudsman, Protection from discrimination at work
Safe Work Australia, Psychosocial hazards
Last reviewed: October 2026
Read More About Age-Based Harassment:
- What Are Examples Of Age-Based Harassment In The Workplace
- What Are Examples Of Quid Pro Quo Harassment In The Workplace
- What Are Examples Of Age Discrimination In The Workplace?
- What Is Age Discrimination In The Workplace?
- How To Identify, Prevent, And Respond To Age-Based Harassment In The Workplace
