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Can we say “senior” for older workers?
We’re living in unique times! On the one hand, we’ve never had so many people aged 65 and over working in Quebec, all generations combined; and on the other hand, there are now four generations coexisting in the workplace: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y (or “millennials”) and finally Generation Z. As we find ourselves with a large number of more experienced, but also older, workers, we were asked the following question: “Which term is most respectful of this category of person? Senior, elder, aged, experienced?” Let’s break down the pros and cons of each!
Using “senior” in job titles: A French language issue
In technology, but also in finance, the term senior is commonly used to designate experienced workers. It’s so ingrained in the work culture of certain industries that many job titles explicitly include the term: senior analyst, senior developer, etc.
In this case, the term senior is not used to emphasize the age of the person, but rather their years of experience in the field. Of course, one usually goes hand in hand with the other, but a senior employee could just as easily be 40 as 65!
There is some controversy, at least in Quebec, over the use of the term “senior”. Although the term is used regularly, the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) advises against using senior as a noun. Why is this? Because in Quebec, “sénior” is a term established and legitimized only in the field of sports.
In French, we’d rather use “premier” (e.g., first clerk, first auditor) or “principal” (e.g., principal associate, principal reviser), or “chief” (e.g., chief technician, chief editor), “superior” (e.g., superior officer, superior executive) or “high” (e.g., high civil servant).
What term should be used in a job title?
The use of the term senior is not offensive in itself. Rather, the question revolves around your company’s culture and values. For some, it reflects a modern, inclusive approach that emphasizes experience rather than age, while for others, it may be perceived as an unnecessary Anglicism or an attempt to conform to international standards without regard for the French language.
On the other hand, as mentioned, keep in mind that senior is not directly associated with age, but rather with years of experience.
Elder and aged: context is everything!
According to the OQLF, “‘elder’ or ‘aged’ are grammatically correct and respectful terms. However, in this case, we’re referring specifically to workers aged 65 and over. The terms have less to do with experience and are aimed specifically at age.
However, while they are grammatically correct, it’s important to recognize that the terms “ elder ‘ or aged ” can also be subject to negative connotations, notably due to ageism, i.e. discrimination based on age. Some people may see the use of these words as negative stereotypes and prejudices associated with age. For example, the idea that older workers are less competent, less adapted to new technologies or less innovative than their younger colleagues.
Moreover, the use of the terms “ elder ‘ or aged ‘ can also suggest a hierarchy or distinction between employees based on their age, which can contribute to an atmosphere of marginalization within the company.
It is therefore essential to recognize these negative connotations and be aware of the potential implications of using these terms in a professional context. This requires a heightened awareness of ageism and a commitment to inclusive practices and policies that value the experience and skills of employees, whatever their age.
A cultural context
Note that a word may be respectful in one culture but less welcome in another. For example, in indigenous culture, Elders are people recognized by their community as having achieved a high level of understanding of history, language, cultural teachings and so on. These people are highly respected and can play a variety of roles, such as mentoring, guiding, governing, decision-making, taking charge or teaching within communities. As we like to say so often: it’s all a question of context!
“Experienced person”: a neutral approach
If you want to talk about workers being “professionally confirmed”, you can translate it by using complements such as “experienced” (e.g. experienced journalist).
Like senior, but unlike “ elder ‘ or aged ”, this term do not refer to age, but rather to expertise and competence acquired over time. This approach avoids the negative connotations associated with age, while recognizing the professional qualities of experienced workers.
These are therefore the more neutral, yet grammatically correct, terms for the older generations of workers currently on the job market.
How to choose?
As always, when it comes to inclusive language, choosing the right term for these people requires careful thought about the linguistic, cultural and social implications for your organization.
If the French language isn’t an issue, and the term already fits well into the culture of your industry and organization, senior may be a good option for referring to your more experienced workers. However, remember that it’s not necessarily linked to age (e.g. 65 and over).
If the French language is an issue and you wish to respect it, then the other two categories are open to you. If you want to explicitly address the age of your workers, then “aged” or “elder” is an option. However, some people may not appreciate being referred to in this way, and this opens the door to ageism. If this is your choice, discuss it with the employees concerned.
The main objective should be to choose terminology that is respectful, inclusive and representative of the diversity of people within the company. Two terms to avoid at all costs: old and boomer!
Do you enjoy inclusive language conversations? Want to create opportunities in your organization? We offer training on microaggressions, unconscious bias and inclusive writing! Contact us to arrange a session!
