Is there a age discrimination ? (wages, illegal, health care, companies)

[teddybear1]

When looking for work at age 55, is there any feelings of age discrimination, in your opinion ?

[GregW]

You had better believe it. Too many companies look at an older applicant not as an experienced asset but as someone they will have to train and who will either retire or die on them before they get sufficient return on their training expanse. They also realize that hiring somebody young, inexperienced or foreign will be cheaper and more profitable. Just look at Microsoft and the imported software controversy as an example.

If you are an older worker pay very close attention to your employer and be as financially prepared for “early retirement” or layoff as possible.

Trust nothing and no body!

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by teddybear1

When looking for work at age 55, is there any feelings of age discrimination, in your opinion ?

I actually just got a job offer today.
I have not yet actively felt age discrimination (age 52).
But I have to admit I have an *awareness* of its possibility.
There are a lot of younger folks out there who need work.

[GregW]

We all need work! Some of us are going to need work after we retire because inflation is certain to devalue our pensions.

Actually you could substitute income for work and be even more accurate.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by teddybear1

When looking for work at age 55, is there any feelings of age discrimination, in your opinion ?

ABSOLUTELY!

[skytrekker]

YES

even at 40 there is ageism -at 55 much more.
Once beyond a certain age- its best to get out of the private sector; tutoring/education, social services, health care, other educational/training services, some retail; the arts.

[njkate]

Originally Posted by teddybear1

When looking for work at age 55, is there any feelings of age discrimination, in your opinion ?

I hate my job and have been sending out resumes with excellent references for about 1 year.
I have not even had 1 call back Nor have any of my references been contacted.

Of course you don't list your birthday but a 10 year old with good math skills can figure out your age just by how long you have worked, when you graduated etc.............

Good Luck

[GregW]

Employers tend to prefer young employees because they tend to gullible, desperate and cheap. Not as productive, but cheaper, non-the-less, than older more experienced (cynical) employee.

Why do you think the government changed the college assistance system from grants to loans? In addition to providing higher interest for the banks it makes the kids desperate for the work so they will accept lower wages and fewer benefits. Inexperienced kids are also less likely to notice just how badly they are being treated and how thoroughly they are getting cheated. New graduates are nearly as desperate as foreign immigrants.

I think college education should be paid for by the government with the money recoverable from a permanent surcharge on the person’s income tax. That way students enrolled in the higher cost and value professional schools pay more than students enrolled in teaching programs.

Age discrimination is real. I expect my pension will only provide enough income to allow me to rum my own business. The business will provide my pocket money.

[Dingler]

I work at a very large company doing IT and Managagement Consulting in Washington DC. We hire 100s of people every year. If you are over 50 forget about it, unless you are twice as good and on the senior management track.

I have never seen anyone over 55 hired ever.

[njkate]

And yet this is supposed to be illegal..BUT...how do you prove it ??
Companies will NEVER say you were not hired because of your age, they find another "fluff" reason.