Based on a true story.
Me [to Teen 1 (18 years) and Teen 2 (16 years)]: Are you trying to air condition the entire neighborhood? Close the back door! Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know.
Teen 2 [smirking]: Okay, Boomer.
Me [crossing arms and arching eyebrow]: You know, using that phrase is a form of harassment.
Teen 1 [scoffing]: It is not!
Me: On the contrary, repeatedly deriding an older person on the basis of age is illegal, at least in the workplace. It’s a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. And for the record, I’m not a Boomer. I’m Gen X.
Teen 1: That’s ridiculous. I’m sure you’re not aware, but “Okay, Boomer” started as a meme in response to certain antiquated views expressed by older generations. It’s not harassment. And it can apply to anyone who makes an outdated statement, not just Baby Boomers.
Me: Perhaps. But when you use the term “Okay, Boomer,” you are clearly being dismissive of an individual because of his or her age – or you are attempting to insult an individual by comparing him or her to someone older. In the workplace, it’s no different than making fun of a person on the basis of race or gender.
Teen 2: No way! It’s not the same at all!
Me: In the eyes of the law, it’s the same.
Teen 1: Fine. If someone I work with calls me a snowflake, I’ll sue.
Me: Not so fast. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act only protects older workers. You have to be at least 40 to have a cause of action, though there are a few states that protect younger workers as well. But not Texas.
Teens 1 and 2 [in unison]: That’s not fair!
Me [shrugging]: Life isn’t fair. If you don’t like it, you can write your congressperson.
[Long pause as Teens 1 and 2 eye each other]
Teen 2 [slowly smirking again]: Okay, Boomer.
*No teens were harmed in the making of this article. Much.