Is it legal to ask age in a job application?

Is it legal to ask age in a job application?

First of all, I really enjoy your column. I wish it was an everyday thing. I am a 63-year-old female. I am vibrant, know my stuff and have worked since I was 17. I am pursuing other possibilities, but almost every application asks what year I graduated. Obviously, this is how they get around asking your age. Is this legal?

First of all, thanks for the compliment — but you know what they say about too much of a good thing. If my column were daily, then you’d grow tired of me and move on to some other advice column. This way it keeps our relationship fresh. As for your question, you may be right. Asking for graduation dates might be a way of finding out your age. That in and of itself isn’t illegal. What is illegal is if an employment decision is based on age. It’s more likely that it is just routine information-gathering, but how that information is used means getting into someone’s heart and that is hard to do. We all know that age discrimination exists, but don’t inadvertently make age an issue by assuming it will be. Keep plugging away, confident that you are talented and have a lot of game left in you. Try to get interviews through networking rather than relying on applications. A person’s essence doesn’t jump off the page like it does in person, and that is your best path to your next job.

My boss recently threatened to fire me if I didn’t improve my performance. I think his criticism is unfair, and he said it in an aggressive manner. Isn’t making threats unlawful conduct?

The definition of “threat” is to make a statement to inflict harm. Getting fired can hurt, and you definitely sound like you are in danger of losing your job, but telling you that you are going to be fired unless you shape up isn’t unlawful. It is very direct and clear feedback. In my experience, such a direct statement usually means that you have a high hurdle to jump to save your job. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what success looks like, and how much time you have to demonstrate the improvement needed to keep your job. At the same time, start looking for another job.

Gregory Giangrande is a chief human resources and communications officer in the media industry. E-mail your career questions to gotogreg@nypost.com. Follow Greg on Twitter: @greggiangrande. His Go to Greg podcast series is available at iTunes.

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