Baby Boomers Fighting Age Discrimination
I received this comment from Valerie on an old post about age discrimination. I thought you might want to read it. I’ll offer my comments/suggestions. Feel free to add yours in the comment section:
I have a problem. I am a 58 year old Legal Secretary. I was laid off of my job in July, supposedly because “I could not do the job” although I was one of the best secretaries there and had been employed for four years. Many attorneys came to me for help because their own, sometimes younger secretaries, could not work in Microsoft Word as well as I could. I have another problem; I have Bells Palsy which I have been working with now for 6 years. There is no medical attention available, no cure. It is what it is. I have been to about 10 agencies, passing every test with high scores. I have been on about 6 interviews - no prospects. I am getting a little frustrated now because I am in a new apartment (4 months) behind in my rent and I need a job. I think when people look at me, they see an older person (although I can pass for much younger) with the attributes of a “stroke”, which it clearly is not and although I make a good impression, I can’t seem to get a job. What avenues are open to me in terms of employment. My resume is online and I receive tons of calls every day, but I can’t keep running to agencies, taking tests over and over and getting no results. I need a job and I need one yesterday. Can someone help? Thanks.
Valerie: I appreciate your honesty and I admire your persistence and courage. It’s not easy being out there competing with younger people who are in positions of authority, but who really don’t “get it” that they will one day be in the same position.
Discrimination against disabilities is sneaky; it masquerades as other things. Your having Bell’s Palsy can cause people to say, “It looks like she’s had a stroke. Don’t hire her; she can’t do that job.” That’s just wrong. And age discrimination, as I’ve pointed out before in this blog, can be the sneakiest. Although you certainly have the experience to win the job, an employer can always find another reason not to hire you. Again, this is wrong. You might want to consider filing an age discrimination case against your former employer. If you can prove that they laid off only older people, you might be able to charge them. I know, they probably thought about that too, and made sure they laid off a few young people. But it might be worth a chance, and a good employment attorney can give you an opinion.
If you are a good legal secretary, you might also consider setting up your own business as a virtual assistant. All you really need to get started is a phone and a computer. It takes a few months of training, but you might be able to get started with a few clients to provide you money while you learn. (Assistu is the organization I’m most familiar with, because that’s where I found my VA, Cindy at virtuallyfantastic.com
I can’t help anyone get a specific job, but I can support you and encourage you. As my hero Red Green says, “Remember, I’m pulling for ya. We’re all in this together.”
If you have support, encouragement, or advise for Valerie, leave a comment here.
If any of you have advice
Tags: age discrimination, assistu, virtual assistantRelated Stories
POSTED IN: A Boomer Rant, Jobs, Just Because You Can, Work
2 opinions for Baby Boomers Fighting Age Discrimination
Expert Witness Marketer
Sep 24, 2008 at 8:38 am
I wish I had specific advice for you Valerie, but I do believe in the power of prayer and that the more people that are thinking the same thing - the more likely it is to become true. So - you are in my thoughts and prayers. Best of success to you!
CAthy Warren
Sep 25, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Valerie, I also believe in the power of prayer.
It is frustrating to me that so many talented and eager people are discriminated against every day. There are people out there today
who are building communities to help fellow Baby Boomers.
I have been visiting this site and decided that I can learn a lot and hopefully can contribute a lot to the dialog. But first, I want to be up front about my intentions. I am associated with a new website called http://www.Over60Exchange.com This web site was originally created to cater to the needs of “seniors over the age of 60″, and is now being expanded to include “Baby Boomers, Seniors, and those who will eventually reach the age of 60.
We recognize that many individuals who reach the age of 60 are not physically, mentally, or financially prepared to enjoy the so-called “Golden Years”. In order to meet the challenges we face in these days of uncertainty, many Boomers and Seniors need to re-examine how they approach and solve problems. This is a network of people with similar issues working together to reinvent themselves for their futures. Over60Exchange is developing guidelines to help Boomers and Seniors evaluate and evolve their current “mind-sets”. Those who are willing to engage in critical assessments of current mind-sets can observe and/or participate in online forums focused on “personal reinvention.”
I invite you to check us out. And remember, we are evolving this web site. You can watch the progress and offer suggestions, Then when we are ready, you can participate in Personal Reinvention.
I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
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