6 Tips for Dealing With Age Discrimination

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thornleyyo of FL 6:30AM September 02, 2009

Well, Chicky of Ny, all I can say is you have gone off on the usual rants and still have not offered any real commentary on age discrimination.
The truth is, there is little we can do about age discrimination unless your employer is a total dolt who
is ridiculously blatant about it.
I would suggest you read my first comment offering a suggestion for future job hunts. At least it sticks with the subject of the article.

Deborah of TX 11:39PM September 01, 2009

It never ceases to amaze me how people use any and every reference to anything to bash Obama unjustly and unfairly just like the ones using this forum to bash health care reform. Some of you obviously have a problem with reading comprehension or you're just angry because a Democrat is in the White House and you just loved Bush sending our young people to die in an unjust war so older people could retain their jobs...now how's that for stream of conciousness? Also this nonsense about ACORN is a RUSH LIMBAUGH, LOU DOBBS and GLENN BECK lie, and has proven to be unfounded. Try to keep with the game plan. Ageism is alive and well and nothing will ever put a stop to it. Companies lay older people off because they can usually hire someone younger for less money and there is no way to prove it.

DaveBronx of NY 5:06PM September 01, 2009

Do you really think the employer who lays you off because of your age isn't going to cover his tracks? You will never find out if that is the reason, unless it is so blatent as to be unavoidable. No employer who has any smarts is going to make it that obvious. They know how to make something look like something else, to protect their own interests.
They do not care about you; all you are to them is an expendable unit. Plug in. Plug out.

Sage of AZ 12:59PM September 01, 2009

for someone full of hot air and empty promises. Deborah, you say "Obama is the most reasoned politician on the scene in many, many years. I think he would work as hard to stop age discrimination as he would to stop color, gender, sexual orientation discrimination." Did you notice that "green jobs" go to people of color and ACORN? Did you notice that Obama has reversed himself and will NOT allow gays to serve in the military, and has done nothing for marriage equality, or even domestic partners? He plans to control our health care with a white house appointee, who may not even be a physician, but you think this is reasoning?
Let's face it, older americans will be discriminated against. Businesses have seen their taxes skyrocket to pay for these democratic proposals and fund the deficit, and they will replace older, more expensive workers with young cheap ones. Even if you are better than a younger worker, employers simply can't afford you. Of course older people can retire soon, and get social security. My kids got forms in the mail from Social Security stating there will be no money (NOTHING) for them when they retire.

Chicky of NY 11:54AM September 01, 2009

I don't have a clue what Arthur Gittleman of AR is getting at. He lost me when he brought up health care reform. The comments are supposed to be on age dicrimination in the work force, not on healthcare reform. BUT, since he bought it up...Obama is the most reasoned politician on the scene in many, many years. I think he would work as hard to stop age discrimination as he would to stop color, gender, sexual orientation discrimination. As much as I too hope that young people will think ahead to their old age, it is hardly an answer for our current situation.

Deborah of TX 11:05PM August 26, 2009

Understand age discrmination is similar to when we were a slave country. All the time country claimed slavery was not bad. Things are just updated. Labor has little freedom and power. Once you enter a corporation you lose your bill of rights.
Those losing their jobs in this economic crash may never get another job if they are old. As this economy is not going to recover to equal the past. It is little too late to complain when your old you just live with it. But it is time for the younger generation to consider that one day they too will become old. Remaining as a worker with no power is just asking for the same treatment. Power is the name of the game unfortunately in this country the worker has none. Time to get some. Which means true reform in this country. You may call it healthcare reform but not the one Obama is talking about.

Arthur Gittleman of AR 5:51PM August 26, 2009

After 10 years on the job my company "restructured" and laid off most of it's sales force, including me at 56 years old. I have been job hunting for close to a year and have only recently had any interest shown in my resume.
The tip I have for you is to not make the mistake of putting too much information on your resume. At first I went too far back in my work history and included dates on my education. I got no responses at all. I then changed my resume & just went 12 years back and no longer showed my graduation dates. All of a sudden I am getting interviews and in fact have two job offers.
Obviously,when the prospective employer was given clues as to how old I am they weren't interested. When I removed any clues to my age I started getting interviews.

Deborah of TX 12:01AM August 26, 2009

I have found out I am paying more rent than people in my building with the same size unit or even larger units. I have been in my apartment for almost 14 years. I have tried for a bigger apartment but was always quoted a very high rent. Now I find I am paying $915. The apt. across the hall, same size, occupant been there only 5 years paying $875. A larger unit on the floor above is only $900. Is there any thing I can do about this? I believe it is a form of discrimination. I live in chicago.

AJ of IL 10:41PM August 25, 2009

It's been 9 months since my husband, a former vice president of an engineering firm or I, an early childhood director, has drawn a paycheck. We each have had one interview. Face it - for WHATEVER reason - age discrimination is real. He has not had more than 10 sick days in his entire career and I'm not likely to get pregnant at 59. We are not short term employees: all our savings are gone and we will be working (hopefully) for at least 15 years to break even. Those hired in our stead will work how long before moving on?
These weren't tips for dealing against age discrimination. They were a recipe for generational blackmail of the very people who built the firms and institutions.

Ann Miller of MI 1:56PM August 25, 2009