So do young people always get picked on in the workforce?

[Anonymous]

I’m in my late 20s but could pass for probably 20 flat.. and my coworkers constantly pick on me and disrespect me and laugh and all gang up on me together. Yet if someone says anything to them they get so worked up that you’d think they’re going to cry.
I am tired of looking younger than I am; and I’m tired of dealing with these older jerks that think it’s fine to comment on how young I am constantly and mock me. Some I am even a better work than, and I get paid more than them because I have more knowledge and better work ethics.. so for them to treat me as if I’m beneath them really pisses me off, ruins my confidence and there’s nothing I can do because they all support each other !!!

[ArrowheadSW]

This is one of those "primal" things I think... Where people pick on those younger (or who appear younger). I did experience it in the workplace right out of college. One approach might be to pretend to "go along" with their joke? And smile at them when they act like this? Just a thought.

[Asker]

Yeah I’ve tried that approach; in fact that has been my approach since landing this job. I don’t like showing my insecurities. But I am just getting so tired and worn out from it: I’ve aged a bit in the last 3 years bringing me from looking 17-18 to 20-23. For some reason my office just has larger and taller than average people so I think it makes them view me as even younger and not fully grown. I mean 5ft8 or 9 and about 170 pounds of good physique and muscle but I still look a little skinny (I guess my body just needs more weight on it ):: despite being 170 people guess like 140 which is kinda crazy lol.. I guess another year to put another 10 pounds or muscle on and see it that makes any difference

[oh_k789]

Are all of them annoying types? Nobody with a fair temperament?

[Asker]

There are good ones too that stay quiet and are respectful. The issue is the annoying group all come to you and make your life miserable. I don’t look at them or engage with them.. but they’ll come near me and have a conversation with each other and then randomly bring my name up and loudly start insulting me like “what did you finish high school yesterday?” Even though I’m late 20s.. I mean I look young for my age but clearly not in high school.. and then they start saying young people don’t know anything and they discredit everything good I do in front of management. We have no HR and management tells me don’t worry we know the truth.: but other coworkers start to believe these rumours and everyone as a whole develops a negative view of me. I hate these adult bullies !! They’re lucky I can’t get physical with them because it would surely be simple to solve these issues

[oh_k789]

Basically, you are innocent-looking (and maybe also innocent-behaving), not the aggressive bully they'd accept having above them in the employee ladder. Therefore, they are mad with envy, and want to make your work there as unpleasant as possible.

Not that the circumstance is alien to my personal experience...

[oh_k789]

Frankly, the only comfort I can provide is tell you that it happens everywhere to the better people.

[Asker]

Appreciate it. Having to respond to them professionally is tough sometimes and because people are strong in numbers and they out number be me and all think it’s fun and funny.. it’s sucks. Management tells me on a personal level and even gave me a bigger bonus than them and salary.. so I know it’s not like what they say sways my management against me.. but something about having coworkers gang up on you with no way to avoid it since it’s open cubicles suck. You feel embarrassed most days and I’ll admit some days it throws me off my own work since I get too emotional to focus/. I hide it though and end up working extra hours when everyone is gone. A few other young looking people in the office but they suck up to everyone and do their work when they ask for help so they are left alone and I can tell these older people are FAKE nice to these young dudes just so they can keep using them

[oh_k789]

No way to get moved to another office?

[Asker]

Not unless I want to sell my house and buy somewhere else far away from my family haha. It is what it is.. another 15 years before I look older and these dudes retire. When you’re a slave to money and get a big mortgage you have no choice but to just deal with shit.

[oh_k789]

"When you’re a slave to money and get a big mortgage"

If you can, make your experience of use to those who are won't to fall into the same trap, warn them.

[JoyGirl]

That happened to me when I started my first job. I was the youngest of them all (16). I just reported them to management…LMAOOOOOO 😂