Age Discrimination In The Workplace

[Anonymous]

Hello All!

What are your thoughts on this?

There are age discrimination laws out there, but how do you prove it?

I was nearly in tears today after listening to a 63-year old lady in the break room of the new retail full-time job I just started about 2 weeks ago. This poor lady had lost her office job with the company and was pushed into another position where the younger generation is harassing her into early retirement. When she complained to HR, yes, it was not dealt with. Lol, the only reason I was hired was because they cannot keep help and I needed the job. The job and pay was hell!!!

• I have never been one to dye my hair once the grey/white started to compete with my dark brown hair/lol. I guess I finally WELCOMED my aging process and now GRATEFUL for the life's journey I have experienced.
• I also do not try to HIDE my age on my resume. Yes and yes, the EXPERTS suggest you do not list more than 10 years of employment. The way I see it, my time and gas is valuable to me and I rather use both for job interviews where my AGE is welcomed. Lol, they will find out once they SEE you and start the the paperwork to hire you.

Too many people of all ages are dying from stress from a HOSTILE environment. Stress is good to a certain extent as it keeps us moving but when you are burn't out, medical issues come our way.

I wish I had an answer for this dear sweet lady and it is stories like these that make me angry and trying to figure out ways to change situations like these. All it takes is just ONE person to make a CHANGE. I read the history of AARP and ONE lady back in 1958 did just that with creating AARP. We can all make a change in some way, somewhere.

[mb81508532]

The young punks are unfortunately becoming the majority.  And they don't want to work with their grandparents.

Check my posts on how employers cheat on ways to find out your age before you even get an interview .... if you get an interview at all!

I have seen bullying and the worst are the girls!  They gang up on older workers and become intimidating, or make them pariahs.  

Try to find work where there are more people your age.  It's hard to do that, which is why networking is so important.  Look on LinkedIn for social gatherings, conferences, and other social events where you can go anonymously and scope out the meetings to see if the population seems promising.

Good luck to us all in these difficult times.  

[Anonymous]

Hi @mb81508532 please accept my apologies for this very LATE response. I had taken a BREAK from this board. Great insights 🙂 I retired last year July 2020 🙂 Happy Easter if you celebrate it!

[Philj1]

I was laid off 8 months ago with no warning. Completely against the WARN act.  There was no notification and I was not paid my severance pay which should have been of 8,000.00.  I wanted to file for my unemployment but couldn't because because I had severance pay due me.  The individual who laid me off waited until the end of the day to hand me the letter stating that my position, Not ME had been terminated.  I had been bullied from almost Day 1 by the Supply Chain Specialist.  I was the Warehouse Manager.  I tried to file a complaint against him for bullying but it was turned against me and the company refused.  I was just hired at a new position with a different company that at this time has no benefits for myself or my wife.  It sucks,  we are financially devastated by this.  Our creditors are working with us as much as they can until we get on our feet. We all know that doesn't go on forever.  Anyone with suggestions? even on some possible financial relief?  We refuse to give up.

[Anonymous]

Hi @Philj1 please accept my very LATE response. I had taken a BREAK from this board. Hopefully you were able to get some assistance. Happy Easter if you celebrate it!

[s102370l]

Good Afternoon, Angela,

I'm 52 and my hair started going salt-n-pepper in my late 40s. I'm not dying it because it's a part of me and both my grandmothers had gorgeous heads of hair, one almost completely white. 

Yes, there is age (and other) discrimination out there but let's use this time to focus on you and where you Want to be. IF you still want to work, what do you want to do? You've got to ID that first to narrow the options. Do you want FT or PT? What industry? What's your passion (Yes, people have turned their passions into fulfilling jobs.)? Where do you want to work (close to home, slight commute, or you love to commute)? These are just a few initial questions to help get those creative juices flowing for you.

I found my current job in my late 40s and guess what? The division is being dissolved as of 12/31/2019. I'm back on the hunt again after 3 years here in a job I absolutely loved doing. But, I know I have a passion for working with people in a Help Desk/Call Center and techy atmosphere. I have a large background working on teams and I want to continue in a team atmosphere but could easily work alone too. Yes, I want FT. I actually like working.

Let's start narrowing down what you want to do:

1.) FT or PT?

2.) What industry? (No more than 3)

3.) Are you on LinkedIn? (If not, consider creating a profile.)

4.) Yes, I've heard no work history further than 10 years too. Consider though that resumes today really should be a reflection of the skill set a potential job demands. All the history isn't necessary because recruiters really don't have time nor want to take the time to read all of it anyway. They've got, in some cases, 5 mins max to view resumes. You've got to wow them in the first few lines. (Yes, you can do that!)

5.) Once you've ID'ed the industry(ies), are there professional groups you can join to network?

6.) Do you have personal business cards highlighting your strongest work attributes? (Don't cost much and you never know where or when you'll potentially meet your new boss.)

7.) Ever created an "Elevator Pitch"? 30-second interview of your highlights to a potential employer.

Hope this is helpful to both you and your coworker. Please share this information with her.

Sharon

[Anonymous]

Hi @s102370l , sorry for this very LATE response. I had taken a BREAK from this board. Anyway, thanks gor taking the time to respond. BOTH myself and co-worker are now RETIRED. Hope all is well you!!! Happy Easter if you celebrate it 🙂