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Six Things Never to Say to a Younger Colleague

There is lots of talk about ageism is the workplace these days, but it goes both ways.

It’s not just older nurses who can receive offensive comments from their colleagues.

Here are six topics to avoid and if you missed the advice on what not to say to older colleagues. You’ll find the link at the end of the page!

Read, take note, and never offend your nursing colleagues again!

1. “Are you the new nurse?”

Just because a newer colleague is younger doesn’t necessarily mean they are newly qualified. You were once their age, remember how intimidated you felt by all the experienced health care professionals in your first week?

The new, younger colleague is probably already feeling vulnerable and out of place, so skip the demeaning questions and offer support instead. Who knows, you could even become a respected mentor for the new, younger nurse, which is always rewarding.

Being condescending only makes younger employees feel like their professional contributions aren’t valued, which drastically reduces productivity. So, for the sake of a happy working environment, be nice!

2. “You sound like my son/daughter”

This comment might seem harmless, but think about what you’re saying. Your colleague is not your son or daughter, and comparing a new member of staff to your child at home can certainly be insulting.

Comparing your younger colleagues to your child blurs the lines of professionalism because it immediately tells them that you view them as subordinate. Show your younger colleague that you take her seriously, and skip the comparisons to your child.

3. “How old are you?”

This question is a big “no-no” according to any trust’s HR policy, your work colleague’s age, race, creed, and sexual orientation is none of your business.

The added emphasis on “are” makes the question extremely condescending, and asking this question to a younger colleague sends the message that you think he/she is inexperienced. So skip the age talk altogether.

4. “As this is your first job, you probably wouldn’t understand”

This statement is risky in that it assumes the following, 1) That this is their first job, and 2) That they therefore would probably not understand.

This is certainly one of the worst things you can say to a colleague because there’s no way this could be construed as a harmless comment. It’s an attack, presumptuous, and just downright rude.

Don’t assume this is your colleague’s first job just because she/he is young. Lots of younger health care workers get valuable, hands-on experience by volunteering. Never presume that your colleague wouldn’t understand. It’s a cast iron way to make instant enemies in the workplace.

5. “When I was your age…”

Your younger colleague probably gets enough of this phrase from his/her parents, so do him/her a favour, and don’t use it in the workplace. It’s understandable that you want to help your younger counterparts out, but this is the wrong way to go about it.

Instead of starting a sentence with this phrase, engage in a more fruitful conversation if you’re trying to give advice. Ask your colleague questions and show interest, and only give advice if he/she asks for it. You can tell him/her how you “went about things” while moving up the ranks, but avoid this phrase, always.

6. “The real world doesn’t work like that.”

Newly qualified nurses have the bad reputation of not being “worldly wise”, thinking that certain things are their right, and having a bad work ethic, but you can’t assume that all younger workers are this way. There are hardworking younger workers out there, and the ones you’re working with must have stronger work ethics than most, they got the job, didn’t they?

It’s true, younger workers may not know as much as you but they probably know just as much as you did when you were their age. So don’t tell them what the “real world” is about. It’s condescending and implies they don’t know any better, which they very well could.

Above all, keep your mind open to what a younger colleague might be able to teach you, they might just have a trick or two up their scrub sleeves!

We’re hoping that you haven’t offended any of your younger nursing colleagues recently, but what about you older colleagues. It’s time to find out the Six Things Never to Say to an Older Colleague then?

Have your say on the topic! Which type of nurses face the most discrimination?

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