Among the new class of MPs sworn into the UK parliament this month, there were the first MPs from generation Z. The youngest of these, Sam Carling – who now has the unofficial title “baby of the house” – is aged 22. In an interview, Carling alluded to an experience that many professionals in their 20s and 30s will be familiar with: accusations from older colleagues that they lack the necessary experience for the role.
In 2018, Mhairi Black, elected as an MP at the age of 20, read out to parliament some of the insults she had received during her time in office, including rape threats. Being asked about her age was a source of constant frustration and distraction from her work. She stepped down from office in 2024.
Most young professionals won’t be going into this kind of high-responsibility role, and won’t receive this level of abuse. But many will experience more subtle discrimination or stereotyping.
Research suggests age discrimination is u-shaped, with older and younger workers suffering the most. Yet campaigning focus has tended to be around older workers, with less understanding of the issues faced by young people – and less protection afforded to them.
Unison, the public services trade union, has highlighted the impacts of age discrimination on young people, from being belittled in workplaces to being bypassed for promotion and paid poor wages.
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