Mentions of ageism on workplace review platform Glassdoor jumped 133 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, as older workers face mounting challenges in a difficult job market.
The spike in age discrimination concerns coincides with mass layoffs and a slowing job market that has made finding work particularly difficult for employees over 50, according to Glassdoor data scientist Katherine Engelman.
While ageism mentions dipped slightly in the second quarter, they remain 20 per cent higher than last year’s peak in the third quarter of 2024, according to the company’s analysis of user posts and comments.
Tech and marketing workers most affected
Workers in marketing and big tech industries show heightened sensitivity to age-related discrimination, the research found. Many users over 50 report being unable to secure interviews despite their experience.
Those who do land interviews often struggle with unfamiliar techniques, as many haven’t interviewed in over a decade, according to Glassdoor community discussions analyzed by the company.
“While these users acknowledge that they are in the last leg of their career, many are not yet ready for an early retirement,” Engelman wrote in the research report.
Strategies emerge to combat discrimination
Glassdoor community members have developed strategies to help older job seekers navigate age bias. The most common recommendation is limiting work history to the past 10 years on resumes, as longer career spans can signal age to potential employers.
Job seekers are also advised to remove graduation years from degree listings, as these dates allow employers to estimate age, according to the analysis.
Alternative career paths gain attention
Some career fields offer advantages for older workers, the research suggests. Teaching rewards experience and often provides union protection, while local government positions offer steady income and strong retirement benefits.
Entrepreneurship has emerged as another option, with community members encouraging older workers to leverage their accumulated knowledge and management experience by starting their own businesses.
The analysis also recommends adopting updated resume conventions and developing new skills through online learning or community college courses to strengthen job applications.
Glassdoor’s analysis tracked mentions of “ageism” and “ageist” in user posts and comments from 2022 to 2025, comparing year-over-year frequency. The company normalized mentions against total posts and comments during corresponding time periods.
