Apropos a recent post about words and phrases which subtly-but-not-so-subtly connote that older workers are not wanted, I just read an article which had a short quote from the AARP’s Director of Multicultural outreach and engagement.

The article noted that “Subtle words and phrases, like ‘recent college graduate’ and ‘digital native’ are terms … meant to discourage older candidates from applying.”

The AARP director added that “photos of the workplace, all with younger people” are similarly discouraging, and that “Phrases like ‘super fun work environment,’ are all ways to say that ‘older candidates need not apply.’”

So HR folks: stay away from “super fun work environment” if you want to avoid a claim of age discrimination.