Friday, September 29, 2006

 

Age Prejudice In The Job Market

NormasArk
Dear Readers..... Hello to you all. Thank you for viewing my thoughts. ;) For quite some time I have become more and more aware from friends, patients, and even my own personal experiences as a
job-seeker, that once we enter our mid-forties, it becomes more difficult to be hired for well-paid employment. The testimonials you will read are from college educated, intelligent, well-groomed, qualified job-seekers who are being turned down for younger people. After being down-sized, or becoming unemployed because firms fold, the people you will read about have one thing in common. They are all past forty-five years of age.
L. from Arizona wrote: Airline pilots are automatically let go at sixty-five when many are at their absolute peak best with experience.
J. from Brooklyn, NY wrote: He is a mid-sixties senior computer systems analyst..... and once he was downsized from the banking world, he is facing rejection after rejection.
Sissy from Seattle wrote: She is in her mid-sixties, and the only thing she can get hired for is to sling hash. This is a well educated, beautiful woman with abundant energy.
S. from NM wrote: She is in her early fifties, and the only thing available is a phone answering position at minimum wage. This is a former CEO of a publishing business.
B. from CT. wrote: He was chief editor of a famous magazine.... and now cannot find decent employment.
Tia from NJ wrote: Twice in her hospital administrator career, right before tenure was vested, the bosses found ways to make her leave the jobs. Now at sixty, she must start her own business or go on welfare.
V. from Wisconsin wrote: She is unable to find employment at forty-nine. This gal ran her own business, is articulate, multi-lingual, and facing the same reality the above writers have experienced.

Where are all the jobs and wonderful economy we hear our government espousing? Even if one wants to work for minimum wage, we have enough people from other lands coming here legally and illegally to do the toilet cleaning, mopping, landscaping back-breaking work. Does anyone reading this article recall a time when we had job-security? It was so long ago I can barely remember. No wonder so many friends I know keep re-enlisting in the military. At least, if they live, it pays a salary and feeds you.
On a bright note: This new blog of mine is getting so many hits I cannot keep up with book orders for SMILES AND MIRACLES, and requests for e-mail counseling services. So when the lemon gets too sour, I decided to create my own business.
Now my lemonade is getting yummier. But not everyone can do what I am doing. What happens to those people who are older and MUST work when...... they cannot get hired?

Comments:
Too many companies are now moving to other countries, so they can employ cheap laborers. My husband tells me to buy only things that are made in the USA, but it's almost impossible to find anything made in the USA nowadays. I'm lucky that I don't have to work outside the home. I'll be in my mid 40's soon and I just couldn't imagine finding a good job if I had too. I would probably end up working at a department store or a fast food place.
 
This sure is hitting home in our household. Both my husband and daughter were just downsized.
Amy in NH
 
So what is an older person to do when they still have to work and no one will hire them for a decent wage? Disgusted in Vermont.
 
Age discrimination?

For the third year in a row, I find we have to go to the local
supermarket to get our flu shots. For two years prior, at least the
senior citizens were given first priority along with physically
challenged individuals. So even though we had to stand in line for
anywhere between 4-6 hours, we were assured of getting our flu shots
that day. And we stood for 4-5 hours the first year, maybe not
quite so long the second year, because our medical doctors told us
they could not get the flu vaccine even though they had ordered it.
Huh? Or something had gone wrong in the laboratory where the
antibodies were being nurtured to counteract the current year's
onslaught. Supermarkets were given priority over physicians? How
can that be possible? And it wasn't just in our state, but other
states too.

But this year the sign at the newest mega market in our community
indicates that anyone can get their shopping done as well as their
flu shot between 12 and 4 p.m. That's fine, but I don't use this
supermarket because their prices are much higher than others in the
area--and I'm a retired, senior citizen, after all. So besides
standing for hours and freezing due to the sub-zero air conditioning
inside this giant market I get to view its plethora of mouth watering
pastries and delicatessen goodies which I can't afford, while
Saturday shoppers' kids play Indianapolis speedway up and down the
aisles.

Oh, yes, so what was the question? How come supermarkets are now
having so many senior citizens and others less firm being shuttled
in line for hours more or less, akin to sheep being herded for the
slaughter? I have already been curing for 70 years, and would prefer
more consideration and tender treatment--no pun intended. If anyone
out there knows why, please share it!
If not, thanks for letting me vent anyway!
Gypsy, 10-6-06
From MD.
 
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