WotC Is Mike Mearls still in WotC?

[Maxperson]

I mean, in practice you totally are, though, with brand leaders and the like, because it's very easy to express it in terms of qualifications and experience and further senior people who want careers, do not sue for age discrimination.

People old enough to be discriminated like that often don't have much time left in their careers anyway and a lot of time they will get a lot more money from a win, than from what few years they have left. Plus, they can try to find a job elsewhere. If you're suing, you generally lost your job or are being targeted unfairly, so staying and just taking it isn't really much of an option.

Age discrimination laws aren't there to prevent changing the leadership of a brand to help it reach new markets. They're there to stop the 50-something person from getting fired because they're slightly slower on their feet than the 20-something person, or the like. In normal, non-executive roles, suing on this basis absolutely makes sense. At an executive level, especially in a brand leadership role? You might as well announce your retirement. Because at best you're going to get a payout and end up out anyway. And basically unhire-able.

They are also there to stop companies from getting rid of older people across the board and replacing them with younger people.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I am depressed... I don't know why but I looked up the 'old' mike mearls age... and he was born only slightly before me. ouch.

 

[beancounter]

I am depressed... I don't know why but I looked up the 'old' mike mearls age... and he was born only slightly before me. ouch.

In my mind, I'm still 25. Just because my body disagrees, doesn't mean anything.

 

[Sacrosanct]

There's nothing to sue at.

He still works there. His LinkedIn shows his role and title. While his most recent position is a lateral title, it's with a bigger, more valuable brand. That was after he was promoted to oversee franchise brand for D&D. He was promoted out of the public spotlight.

the ENWorld age-ism mythology has no basis in fact

I can't comment on this specific scenario, but as a general observation to your comment. Just because someone is still with a company, or has moved to a different position doesn't mean there can't be discrimination going on. Imagine a scenario where a company "promotes" all the people of color to non-customer facing roles and only has white people in the public eye. I'm sure you can see where that could cause issues.

 

[Sacrosanct]

In my mind, I'm still 25. Just because my body disagrees, doesn't mean anything.

For real. I think I'm in pretty good shape for someone ready to hit 50, but every so often my body reminds* me I'm not 25 any longer even though I mentally feel the same.

*like waking up with a pulled hamstring. How does that even happen when I'm sleeping???!!!

 

[bedir than]

I can't comment on this specific scenario, but as a general observation to your comment. Just because someone is still with a company, or has moved to a different position doesn't mean there can't be discrimination going on. Imagine a scenario where a company "promotes" all the people of color to non-customer facing roles and only has white people in the public eye. I'm sure you can see where that could cause issues.

Does general ageism exist? Yes.

Is it at all related to Mike Mearls career as a game designer? No

 

[Sacrosanct]

Does general ageism exist? Yes.

Is it at all related to Mike Mearls career as a game designer? No

Probably not, no. We really don't know. But what I was pointing out was those list of reasons you gave as to why it couldn't be ageism isn't necessarily true.

 

[Morrus]

The suggestion that Mearls is not on the D&D design team any more due to ageism is utterly absurd. Who came up with that nonsense? Could we try not to parody YouTube comment sections with our threads here, please?

 

[beancounter]

Come to think of it, the last time I saw Mike Mearls was in a Baldur's Gate 3 commercial on YouTube.

 

[Parmandur]

Mearls is a behind the scenes designer on the Magic team, and has been for over two years. He messed up public relations, so is not being put forward in a customer facing role any longer. Seems apt.