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The Diversity Issue Silicon Valley Isn't Trying To Fix: Age Discrimination (medium.com)

Posted by Soulskill on from the age-old-problem dept.

An anonymous reader writes: The tech industry has recognized it isn't as welcoming to women or minorities as it should be, and is loudly taking steps to solve that issue. Major companies are now releasing diversity reports to highlight their efforts. But as Stephen Levy points out, none of them seem interested in doing something about a different diversity issue that's been pervading Silicon Valley for years: age discrimination. He says, "One company, Payscale, does supply some estimates. Looking at its numbers in 2012, Payscale noted, 'The typical tech employee wasn't around for the original release of Star Wars. And as of last year, the average age at Google was 30; at Facebook, 28; LinkedIn, 29, and Apple, 31. In comparison, the average age in more traditional tech industries like data processing or web publishing was almost 10 years higher than Silicon Valley/Internet firms. In my view, age information should be included in those diversity reports, to underline the need for change— and, even more important, those in charge of company cultures should view age diversity as a plus. Right now, that's not happening."

4 of 362 comments (clear)

  1. Another SJW Story! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    When for fuck's sake will the editors... oh, wait. Not women or minorities this time.

    Carry on.

  2. Deeply offended by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The so-called diversity figures never specify what percentage of the workforce are ethnic Finns. Keeping in mind that Finns are one the smallest minority groups in the world, hiring them over massive "minority" groups like women (over 3.5 billion in the world) and people of color (over 6 billion in the world) should be top priority.

  3. It's a subtle thing by willworkforbeer · · Score: 5, Funny

    They can't legally ask your age, so the job application has a space to write your feelings about kids on your lawn.

    Pro tip: They leave you room to continue your thoughts on the back of the page, it's a trap!

    --
    Pretending this is my office full of bitter coworkers..
  4. Re:Money by TsuruchiBrian · · Score: 4, Funny

    The problem is that you look like Julian Assange, and they are worried you are going to post all their source code and internal emails on wikileaks.