@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living

This is a cautionary tale.  This is why as you get closer to that age group, you have to HUSTLE.  
- You MUST have multiple streams of income, like side gigs and investments.
- You MUST throw in as much money as you legally can in your 401K and IRA.  Remember that you can start collecting on it when you’re only 59 1/2, and if you have a disability, you can get a waiver to collect sooner.  
- You MUST cut your expenses and keep your debt at zero or nearly zero.  

The reality is that in a company layoff, unless you’re an executive, older workers are the first to go, and it takes an older worker longer to find a comparable position than a younger worker, so they have to take positions at a significant pay cut.  You have to be prepared for a longer unemployment stretch or a lower pay grade.

@AlexMoschopoulos

And it's funny how it's backfiring.

We see companies that try to push out all the older Gen X and replace them with Y and Z, then they complain how these younger kids quit too easily or they have no work ethic, or they thought they would be technologically advanced, but they're only advanced in things the company doesn't need. So perhaps those younger workers are savvy with social media, but have tons of trouble using MS Excel or something of that nature. 

Obviously this was 3 years ago when this article came out, so we didn't have the pandemic and the great resignation. I can understand a company not wanting to hire an older worker because that older worker is showing that they are behind on their skills, and worse, unwilling to be managed by someone younger. Just because you are older doesn't mean you should instantly be management.

However, there are many older workers that have the skills, experience, and an incredible work ethic. They don't complain if they have to work past 5:00. They don't sit there expecting a raise and promotion every year just for showing up and doing the job.

I'm also reading now how the unfortunate reality of many youth is that they spend so much time in regimented play time and activities that they are suddenly lacking in creativity and problem solving skills. I hope they can catch up, but it's again another reason why corporate America shouldn't just dismiss anybody above the age of 50.

@bonefishboards

I'm 56 and building neural network machine learning models.  However, I'm far and away the oldest on the (my) engineering team.  My management is in their 30's and can't understand how predictive analytics works.  And I get the sense that I'm gone when the next culling of the herd occurs.  And I will never be able to apply my skills at this level ever again if I get canned.

@user-vt7kk2ce7q

Affirmative action for workers aged 45 and older.  Because ageism begins way before 50.

@cericson3426

It's even worse if you're an older worker and get caught up in a layoff, it's not easy finding another job when you're 55 to 60 years old.

My wife has been looking for 8 months now and has had many interviews most of which seem to go fantastic, and then she gets the dreaded email we decided to go in another direction.
In my mind that means a younger worker because my wife definitely has the experience.

@jfnovella

Yup. I just started experiencing this at work. After experiencing homophobia and racism in the workplace, I can honestly say it is pretty easy to identify workplace discrimination in any form. Workplace discrimination hurts, no matter how and why it's happening.

@fightemploymentdiscriminat9836

More content like this please!   Age discrimination keep getting more common.

@dancook4993

A lot of companies now cleverly force out older works by eliminating jobs older higher paid

@silvermist1216

I heard that age discrimination for women start at 35

@tttappin

I am 53 and I applied and interviewed for two jobs and I did great. 
For some reason I did not get both jobs even though I aced the interviews and acessments...wow what a shame.

@debh5780

Having gone through this being laid off at > 60. Realize you can’t stop people from considering your age even if you’re at the top of your game. As for your present employer they may think just how many years does she have left to give us ?? and you can’t stop that from happening ! But for NEW employers they CAN’T ask you your age! So don’t sabotage yourself by putting a birthdate, a graduation date or any other dates on your resume that will lead to your direct age !!! Once they meet you then you can win them over in person. 
   Anytime you feel you are being discriminated against KEEP a daily journal 📓!!! Even tabs would be nice !!! The big picture will be eye opening !!! For example if you didn’t get training and they just threw you in there keep that UN-filled out training list ! KEEP hard copies of inappropriate e-mails and if there was an inappropriate in person meeting follow up with a summary e-mail to document it and run off your hard copy. Over 60 in the past and most likely still is a protected age. Although employers act as if they don’t know this ! And employment at will states do not help either   ! If they are not giving you the tools to be successful in the beginning document, document, document. Good luck getting a lawyer to take it on though probably not enough money in it. 
These lay offs may effect the rest of your life’s earnings if it causes you to take early social security. HOLD  up BEFORE you draw early social security. Social Security that increases 8 % per year especially in the later years to age 72 at which point it will not increase. WAIT as long as you can  before taking social security !!! Increasing that monthly check as much as you can before you take it ! Talk to a financial advisor to make these choices. 
Don’t let the emotions of the situation cause other unwise choices like moving your 401/403 to accounts with more fees from a employer based accounts without fees. You will be tempted to make quick decisions just make sure it’s the best decision for you in long term. 
  Last tip: in today’s world give up perfection for speed. Sometimes being older we default to just wanting it done right instead of just completing it ok with more speed !
Unfortunately time ran out before know your legal rights could be covered but important info here. 😊😊😊

@jimmyjack7141

I call bs, employers are paying new younger people more that experienced one and the younger employees get the cushy jobs that older ones should get do to they have earned the position.

@8000RPM.

Plain & simple,.... When a company can hire a younger worker for cheaper,....beware.

@fishgutz4272

In the commercial tech sector, employees over 50 without a PhD make up the vast majority of those laid off. At 53, i was thrown under the merger bus along with over 70 other employees over 45. I'm 63 now, with a great company in defense sector that values experience and desire to learn now technology and design techniques. After 3 years i was promoted to management. Love the company and culture.

@fremontpathfinder8463

That's why I have a union government job.   I still suffered some age discrimination at the age of 44 when attempting to transfer to a different position but I can't be laid off due to the credentials I have.  I don't plan to retire.   It doesn't make sense to give up the good salary and great benefits.

@BG-pd6os

Even though in the last year I have taken a 25% pay cut I am still employed in the same field for the last 32 years, I consider myself lucky at age 61 lucky and plan to work till I am 70!

@markd5067

We should be fixing this country's discriminative unethical business hiring practices, not catering, cowering or figuring how to beat it...

@rock7084

Everyone at that table, except the LinkedIn guy were thinking about their own situation. It was evident on their faces.

@Essays4College

Attention older worker: if you want to stay employed become self-employed.

@fremontpathfinder8463

What is shocking is that the person who discriminated against the two Ohio State University teachers is going to get old themselves