The older you get in the workplace...

[barnabas63]

..the less people want to hear what you have to say, the less administration wants to give you authority (better they invest in someone younger), and the more aggravating it is to even participate. Anyone else agree? Disagree? I'm happy to have a job, but it's not as "fulfilling" as I thought it might be as I'm well into middle age. (Or maybe I'm just a bit discouraged and down today.)

Please discuss.

[geardaddy]

1. I totally feel you.

But I'm a contractor, so it's a double-edged sword with me.

[barnabas63]

2. How do you mean?

Please explain, I'm interested.

[geardaddy]

6. Well, as a contractor and a 47-year-old man

I feel like no one listens to me.

[LiberalEsto]

3. I wish I knew what that was like

I'm 60, unemployed for 4 years, no hope of ever finding work again.

[barnabas63]

4. Sorry...

As problems go, I guess it's not the worst to have. It's hard to think that you couldn't find some kind of job - but I don't know where you live or what your conditions are. Good luck to you....

[LiberalEsto]

5. Thanks. And good luck to you too.

Former journalist, female. No other skills, no money to take classes, unable to lift or stand long due to arthritis (so I can't bag groceries), in the competitive Washington DC job market.

Nobody wants someone who can merely write well. They want someone who can also do SEOs, media blasts and tech writing, speechwriting, assemble contract proposals, work with Excel and Powerpoint, create and manage web sites, and so on, all for maybe $10 an hour. I find freelance writing assignments from time to time, but not many. In the past two years I've earned $30, doing translating work.

[barnabas63]

7. You're in a tough market...

...now I feel like I'm sitting around feeling sorry for myself. Thanks for the perspective...

[RebelOne]

8. I am a former copy editor and was laid off my job in 2010.

I was already 70 years old, but I was not laid off because of my age. I worked for a publication company that was in financial trouble due to low advertising. My job was totally eliminated. If I had not been laid off, I would still be working. I have tried to find freelance work, but it seems that no one wants any help, though I have applied to many publications that seriously needed copy editing. But it seems that the American public is totally dumbed down when it comes to grammar, spelling and punctuation.

[barnabas63]

10. I know..considering what passes for written instructions these days..

Companies just translate their instructions from Japanese or Chinese and don't edit. It's crazy....

[LiberalEsto]

12. If you want some great laughs, check this website

www.engrish.com

It's attempted translations from various languages, mostly Asian, into English, and it's hilarious.

DUer LynneSin posts some of their items in the Lounge now and then. That's how I found out about the site.

[trof]

32. Sad but true. 70+ is Kiss of Death for employment.

I'm 71 and getting worried that I may outlive my retirement funds.
For my age, I'm pretty fit, but there's no way anyone would hire me for anything.

And you're right about 'dumbed down'.
I've done newspaper reporting and editing and it's scarey to see what's being put out today.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

9. its a rat race --

and the rats are winning.

[bluedave]

27. and they have been winning for a long time

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. You and Pelosi should split a bottle of wine ...

... she's having that same sort of day, answering questions about whether she's too old to continue as minority house leader.

Me, I'd just like to get back into the workplace, never mind the disrespect. But when I walk into an interview with my grey/white hair, it's over.

Middle age? Yeah, I remember those years, haha.

[barnabas63]

13. job security....

They can't get rid of me at least. They can disrespect me or ignore me, but they can't stop the paycheck coming as long as I show up and do a half-way decent job. Guess I have it pretty good...

Why does life have to be so hard when people are just trying to get by ?? Honestly....

[LiberalEsto]

18. And how old was Ronnie Ray-Gun when he left office?

I doubt the right wing nuts raised the age issue on him.

[Bucky]

14. You sound like a teacher.

But my whole semester has been like that. I like seeing young talent moving up the ranks. Sadly, talent doesn't seem to be a factor in moving up.

[barnabas63]

15. academia..

After thinking about it, I don't have a good reason to be down. I was the bright and shining face once too. What goes around, comes around. For those who are younger - dont' get to comfortable. Time marches on.

[femmocrat]

16. Fellow "veteran" teacher here.....

I don't have that many years behind me though, because I found a full-time position when I was already in my 40s.

I am really tired of those whipper-snappers asking me if I'm going to retire. It's none of their damn business. I feel like hanging in there just to piss everyone off.

I feel totally unappreciated at work, no matter how hard I work. It's frustrating and I can totally understand what you are saying.

[erinlough]

19. I don't recommend hanging around.

I did until I had 38 years in ,but last year, in May, just decided I was done. It only got worse as I went along and if you can retire, I suggest you do. It is so much better. I waited too long and subjected my mind and body to too much stress.

[barnabas63]

20. I'm getting out at age 60....

..if I have to find something else to do after that, I will. Will get out sooner if I can, but that may be difficult.

[treestar]

17. Shouldn't it be the other way round?

When I was young I had little idea what I was doing and loved to talk to the older people to learn something.

[barnabas63]

21. I don't think it's co-workers so much as administration.

Administration sets the tone. I don't have a problem one-on-one with younger co-workers. I am happy to learn from them as I am anyone. It's just influence of administration, and frankly the willingness of some younger co-workers to rigidly go-along-with-the-program.

[treestar]

22. Yes, when young, one is more likely to do that

It's odd how it works. Then as you get older, you feel you have less to lose.

[Chiquitita]

26. In academia the administration wants people it can control better.

That's why they don't promote older academics into their ranks. The younger folks can be shaped in their image and will be so grateful they won't stand up to them. At least that's what I think in my darker moments.

[barnabas63]

30. I'm sure of it.....

....but it's a "good" problem to have, I suppose.

[gkhouston]

34. Not just in academia. Older employees have more experience, which means they

can legitimately expect more salary. They've also seen all the bullshit tricks multiple times, so they're harder to cow.

[Myrina]

23. Hmmm ....

I work in an IT environment with a bunch of old-farts (I'm 46, average & perhaps a bit young for this crew) who are also predominantly white male & I always feel like I'm at a reunion of the guys who designed the FIRST Apple pc, or something.

We have several Indian contractors who are probably in their early 30's and incredibly bright & forward thinking, I imagine they think we're all silly old geezers.

Maybe it's your mood -- or your company. Or maybe the company I'm presently at is just a relic.

[Nikia]

24. Maybe after 40-45 thats true

But at 34, I think that they see me as more credible in the past few years, being older. In my 20s, they treated me like a little girl. Of course I look younger than I am so they might think I am about 5 years younger.

[barnabas63]

25. Enjoy it while it lasts....

But I dont' mean to seem to pessimistic. Life is what you make it - but things change over time, and time goes quickly...

[liberal N proud]

28. Yep, the company doesn't want you to work to retirement

[PoliticalBiker]

29. I got laid off...

over 50 and talk about hell trying to find another one....

unemployed over 2yrs

entry level job - been there, done that

way less then 1/2 what I was making

house foreclosed on

can't afford storage

rust bucket vehicle - over 160K miles
couldn't afford another or to get this one fixed if it breaks

Laws say age discrimination is illegal
Don't you believe it!
Experience seems to count for naught anymore

I agree with everything you said tho. I have problems taking direction from someone that could easily be my grand-kid!

Sheesh!

[barnabas63]

31. good luck to you...

Hope something works out for you and you find someplace you fit and are appreciated.

[PoliticalBiker]

33. Thank You

I'm going back to college again (as soon as I get my financial aid straight), but perhaps I should change my focus... working on a bachelors in IT, but from what I see, being in the field for a couple decades, an awful lot of those jobs are still going overseas.

I started attending classes in IT because it is what I know. I'm thinking of changing my field. Trying to figure out what I like that I could reasonably get a job in and be able to support myself.

I had a career in the electronics field (growing up with my dad, then electronics in the US Navy), then a career in computers and IT. Neither excite me anymore, but being in the position I'm in now, I'm not sure what does.

I love politics, but breaking into that field at my age would be a really hard load. Besides, I'm not really a people person. I would rather write, but the world is full of writers a lot younger than me.

Thanx again for the well wishes

[LiberalEsto]

35. Have you looked into cybersecurity?

That seems to be a growing field.

[LWolf]

36. Agree. nt