Is age just a number?

Career and Inequality

My groups overall research question is “How do social identities and special skills apply themselves in the business world, in terms of careers?”. My hypothesis is: “Companies treat employees of a younger age with less respect than employees of an older age.” I’m interested in learning about this passion project because I’m about to go off to college and pursue a career shortly after and I would like to know what I should expect. This information will be good to know when I enter into the workplace. I am interested in learning what my advantages and disadvantages will be when I first start pursuing a career. It is also just plain curiosity; does age discrimination actually occur in the workplace?  

Sub-Questions:

1. Does age discrimination only happen in certain industries?
2. If number 1 is true, which industries does it often occur in?
3. At what age do people start to lose respect in the workplace (elderly)?
4. Does age affect pay at all?

Source: www.confused.com