US EditionAsking Eric: Coworkers Constantly Excluded Older Employee
A 61-year-old law firm employee feels excluded and socially isolated as assertive colleagues dominate, with after-hours events excluding her, according to her account.
- A 61-year-old law firm employee reports feeling excluded after younger colleagues in their 20s and 30s regularly organize after-hours events without inviting her to attend.
- The employee describes her firm as unfriendly, where an assertive senior coworker holds significant influence while the supervisor and staff maintain a socially exclusive culture.
- Facing criticism about her size and choice to wear dresses for religious beliefs, the employee feels like an 'unperson' and is largely ignored by colleagues.
- Advice columnist Eric Thomas suggests the workplace culture lacks emotional intelligence and recommends she identify event organizers to request inclusion directly from the start.
- Thomas questions whether these are people with whom she actually wants to belong, suggesting she stop bending over backward to fit into a toxic environment.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Asking Eric: How can I get invited to more events with my judgmental coworkers?
Dear Eric: I am 61 years old and work in a law firm where I have a billable hours requirement. One coworker is a couple years older than I am, and the supervisor and two other employees are close in age (20s/30s).The older coworker is treated like a princess because she is very assertive and has top seniority in the office. She wears the pants in the office. I am largely ignored because I am quieter and spend more time on work than socializing.
Denver Post
Asking Eric: Coworkers constantly excluded older employee
Advice columnist R. Eric Thomas answers his readers' questions in this March 19, 2026 edition of Asking Eric.
Asking Eric: Big personalities in a small office have one co-worker feeling like an Orwellian ‘unperson’
Dear Eric: I am 61 years old and work in a law firm where I have a billable hours requirement. One coworker is a couple years older than I am, and the supervisor and two other employees are close in age (20s/30s).
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