27-year-old told by 50-year-old employer that she's "too old" to work at a smoothie shop: 'I'm sure Leonardo DiCaprio would love this place'

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  • To be honest, I'm still processing what just happened. For 5 years, I've been stuck in a de d-end job at a commercial cleaning company. About six months ago, I took a second job as an ophthalmologist's assistant to try and get out.
  • A young blonder woman wearing black clothing rests her head on her hand while waiting in a chair.
  • The job was a disaster. The ophthalmologist was a nightmare, gave me absolutely no training, and then would get extremely frustrated when I couldn't independently help with complex patient exams. A few weeks ago,
  • they expected me to help with four specialized eye exams in a row without telling me what my role was, so I walked out. I have no food service experience, but I'm at the point where I'll try anything. The job market is so tough.
  • I saw a new smoothie shop opened downtown that was hiring, so I applied. They called me for an interview. I went in, and less than 10 minutes into it, the
  • interviewer asked if I was at least 21 because they plan to add hard kombucha and ciders to the menu soon. I told her I'm 27. She looked at me funny for a second and said, "Oh. Did you not see we're only looking for people 18- 25? "She then told me I wasn't a
  • 25? "She then told me I wasn't a good fit for the job because I was, in her words, 'too old to work here.' I've never been so embarrassed.
  • I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. It turns out I missed a detail in the sign they had on their window about the 18-25 age requirement, though it wasn't listed in the online ad. But still, I feel like I dodged a bullet. What kind of insane policy is that?! Do
  • they automatically fire employees on their 26th birthday? So yeah, shoutout to the 50-something owner who told me I'm over the hill. I'm sure Leonardo DiCaprio would love this place.
  • A barista at a coffee and smoothie restaurant stands behind the counter facing a menu.
  • aaiceman Wow, that's a pretty clear cut discrimination case.
  • jnmtx 38m ago . Your specific age as a number is not something you should reveal in an interview.
  • You want to sell your ability and qualification to do the job they need - facts about your personal life should not be the focus.
  • I'm also sorry the ophthalmologist did not work out- with good even low-level training, the medical field has a lot of roles that can pay very well. Good luck with your career.
  • ailish 1h ago That's illegal if you're in the US. Report it to the Labor department.

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