General Discussion

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

45. Agree.

Sun Jan 20, 2013, 01:32 PM

Jan 2013

Four years ago, at age 60, I was fired twice for the very first time in my life. Once after two and a half days at an art gallery. The reason given was, and I quote, "Unbridled enthusiasm." Really.

Less than two months later I was fired from a legal secretary job at a law firm, basically for incompetence. Needless to say, neither of the jobs ever showed up on a subsequent resume.

Oh. And jobs are out there for older workers. They're just entry level, non career positions. I had been a stay at home mom for over 25 years, and that turned out to be completely a non-issue when I finally re-entered the workforce. But I wasn't trying to return to a career of any kind, just trying to find work.

For someone trying to replace a better job, it's s different world.

What do I do now? I work the information desk at my local hospital. Excellent benefits, decent pay considering what I'm doing. And I probably will stay in the job until I'm 70, so you can't have it.

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Unemployable At 50 Fate Of Present And Future Workers [View all] TheMastersNemesis Jan 2013 OP

Perfect argument for lowering the Medicare & SS age to 50 Doctor_J Jan 2013 #1

GMTA Recursion Jan 2013 #4

A lot of 50 year olds would love to be entrepeneurs too Doctor_J Jan 2013 #9

Yes! tjwash Jan 2013 #13

Not that brilliant Doctor_J Jan 2013 #14

Look at how many retired military take up new occupations. Downwinder Jan 2013 #36

The military and it's personnel are the biggest "welfare queens". xtraxritical Jan 2013 #77

That is exactly where my husband is at. CrispyQ Jan 2013 #33

My Husband is 62 and being pushed by his employer leftieNanner Jan 2013 #139

Agreed Sherman A1 Jan 2013 #165

Thanks Sherman A1 leftieNanner Jan 2013 #185

We can hope you are right about the right. Sherman A1 Jan 2013 #207

Well, the half-term governor leftieNanner Jan 2013 #211

Would you survive if he could retire right now (with SS & Medicare)? Doctor_J Jan 2013 #179

Yes, we could leftieNanner Jan 2013 #184

They won't if there is no demand for goods and services duffyduff Jan 2013 #37

I didn't say all of them Doctor_J Jan 2013 #74

Try starting and owning a business like that now .. rtassi Jan 2013 #62

Gotta agree here. No one has the money to start any kind of business that has much of a Nay Jan 2013 #105

I sure would. blackspade Jan 2013 #115

+1 davidwparker Jan 2013 #117

Precisely Sherman A1 Jan 2013 #164

Yeah, I tried that at 50 AnnieK401 Jan 2013 #166

LOL ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2013 #171

Yeah, I think I misstated my point Doctor_J Jan 2013 #178

And that f__king Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs . . . brush Jan 2013 #27

Dem's should all be advocating this. harun Jan 2013 #56

The Dems of 2 generations ago would have been Doctor_J Jan 2013 #71

Capital idea! grahamhgreen Jan 2013 #146

Reality brutus smith Jan 2013 #2

Great! Start Medicare and SS at 50. Isn't that the point of technology? Recursion Jan 2013 #3

Employee benefits are now going backward socialindependocrat Jan 2013 #12

Gee, I think that's why unions were formed.... HuskiesHowls Jan 2013 #67

Also, the abuse of "exempt employee" status socialindependocrat Jan 2013 #86

You're telling the truth. Bette Noir Jan 2013 #150

Technology has NOTHING to do with this dire situation duffyduff Jan 2013 #41

This is my story exactly (57) Bennyboy Jan 2013 #5

I am 57, and was fired chervilant Jan 2013 #20

If you were a new hire and not working there very long do not include it on your resume lunasun Jan 2013 #25

Agree. SheilaT Jan 2013 #45

Thanks! chervilant Jan 2013 #123

If you were Doc Holliday Jan 2013 #39

Time to get creative. If his falsehoods follow you, "defamation of character?" Downwinder Jan 2013 #40

"defamation" kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #128

My "union" in my RTW state actively sabotaged me duffyduff Jan 2013 #48

I have not been looking for a new job in over ten years, but Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #111

I'm so sorry, Bennyboy. SunSeeker Jan 2013 #22

It may seem that way, that we`re shit out of luck tapermaker Jan 2013 #51

Not everybody is inclined or capable to do that duffyduff Jan 2013 #58

I agree that the system is broke but tapermaker Jan 2013 #64

Yes, a niche business. While teaching full-time, we have built up a furniture repair mbperrin Jan 2013 #76

Can't do it. No second income stream. duffyduff Jan 2013 #142

That's a great story Duer 157099 Jan 2013 #84

Preaching to the choir . tapermaker Jan 2013 #110

I have something. THE MAKE A FISH FOUNDATION Bennyboy Jan 2013 #90

my bro is 53 shanti Jan 2013 #91

In a lot of communities (ours, for example) you can learn big rig driving at community college OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #145

Mine, too, more or less. GoCubsGo Jan 2013 #98

This message was self-deleted by its author freshwest Jan 2013 #109

If we are going to engage on moving SS age, we must push for 55 closeupready Jan 2013 #6

In the political realm, who opposed all this? Fumesucker Jan 2013 #7

Most Politician Who Run On Progressive Ideas Get Trashed By Voters As---- TheMastersNemesis Jan 2013 #8

Most of the few working class americans dotymed Jan 2013 #32

Or get trashed by their Party. :( BuelahWitch Jan 2013 #72

But people are waking up. truedelphi Jan 2013 #136

A lot like the gun debate Doctor_J Jan 2013 #10

I like Eugene V Debs position. Surely we know it. nt Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #50

Indeed. The silence roared. I started pulling SS at 63... Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #47

One of the original selling points of SS..... Wounded Bear Jan 2013 #11

Unions and employee cooperative ownership can change it... ProfessionalLeftist Jan 2013 #15

So very true. 99Forever Jan 2013 #16

Some will think your statement is extreme. It is not. russspeakeasy Jan 2013 #21

It is the world I live in. 99Forever Jan 2013 #35

Not the least bit extreme. Bennyboy Jan 2013 #93

best of luck to you and yours. russspeakeasy Jan 2013 #140

There is ALWAYS hope for the future... rosesaylavee Jan 2013 #34

Sorry to have to disagree. 99Forever Jan 2013 #46

Only you can answer that... rosesaylavee Jan 2013 #52

Well then. 99Forever Jan 2013 #57

No, that's rosesaylavee Jan 2013 #61

Platitudes don't help. 99Forever Jan 2013 #66

Not knowing you prevents me from suggesting anything personally pertinent to your situation rosesaylavee Jan 2013 #79

I understand that you are speaking... 99Forever Jan 2013 #89

There is a pogrom against over-50 workers. Flatulo Jan 2013 #188

Make Stuff AndyTiedye Jan 2013 #75

Off the top of my head, two things OmahaBlueDog Jan 2013 #147

Or he could also act as construction consultant or estimator nt rosesaylavee Jan 2013 #168

Excellent ideas. 99Forever Jan 2013 #189

If you are interested in consulting or estimating, rosesaylavee Jan 2013 #194

Both good ideas. 99Forever Jan 2013 #172

As my 51st birthday approaches etherealtruth Jan 2013 #44

I am 44... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #55

I hear you... OneGrassRoot Jan 2013 #65

Thank you. 99Forever Jan 2013 #69

Suicides of people in this situation are very real Kennah Jan 2013 #151

I didn't believe that this happened since most of the leaders appeared to be men in their 50s Nikia Jan 2013 #17

This is exactly why I'm suspicious of employer sponsored health screening. gtar100 Jan 2013 #31

This message was self-deleted by its author rhett o rick Jan 2013 #18

Exactly! nt SunSeeker Jan 2013 #26

Ditto! 2naSalit Jan 2013 #78

Super post! Dirty Socialist Jan 2013 #85

Just Look at Apple Yavin4 Jan 2013 #158

Want to hear a horror story? Flatulo Jan 2013 #198

Sorry to hear about your friends plight. rhett o rick Jan 2013 #199

But back in the day they treated people decently, even when they didn't have to. Flatulo Jan 2013 #201

I think we're well past that, already MNBrewer Jan 2013 #19

I don't believe you that the American worker has embraced all of this mayhem. Silent lonestarnot Jan 2013 #23

I wonder if its too late to organize? Any job that can be done here can be done in China. Flatulo Jan 2013 #200

Never to late to organize! Never. And there a plenty of green jobs that cannot be outsourced. lonestarnot Jan 2013 #202

CEO's = sociopaths ...what would you expect. n/t L0oniX Jan 2013 #24

You don't know how true those words are. fasttense Jan 2013 #60

Answer: UNIONS! antigop Jan 2013 #28

This is scary rightsideout Jan 2013 #29

You are so right, Nemesis. There IS age discrimination. Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #30

Yep. Fired illegally five years ago at age 53 duffyduff Jan 2013 #38

Of course my post applies ONLY when there are jobs to be had. Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #132

Good and inspiration info mike dub Jan 2013 #49

That is all excellent advice. SheilaT Jan 2013 #54

I just came back to this thread to state: Le Taz Hot Jan 2013 #204

Spoken like someone not looking for an office job. Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #209

And the first time I heard that "advice" Le Taz Hot Jan 2013 #210

Lazy people! They should work until they are 70 according AllyCat Jan 2013 #42

And Don't Forget..... cynzke Jan 2013 #43

They want to scrap Social Security so they don't have to pay their share of the FICA tax. duffyduff Jan 2013 #53

And don't forget the crushing cost of borrowing to go to college. WCGreen Jan 2013 #59

54, been looking for a decent job for a couple of years now lifesbeautifulmagic Jan 2013 #63

Boy are you right! DearHeart Jan 2013 #107

You're working for almost min. wage? Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #133

my background is admin, acct and clerical lifesbeautifulmagic Jan 2013 #149

And the stupid part is AgingAmerican Jan 2013 #68

The government needs to act as employer of last resort. gulliver Jan 2013 #70

Excellent points! 2naSalit Jan 2013 #87

+1,000,000,000 x 1,000,000,000 - Well put and definitely coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #119

Right on! It's a disgrace, and embraced by Third Way Democrats. MannyGoldstein Jan 2013 #73

This is what happens when neoliberal economic theories are embraced by both political parties duffyduff Jan 2013 #80

We should change the word "neoliberal" to MannyGoldstein Jan 2013 #82

+1,000,000 n/t duffyduff Jan 2013 #83

+100 nt antigop Jan 2013 #141

Business is not going to change. jtuck004 Jan 2013 #81

By Definition Of Our Politicians That Is Communism. And Amerikans Revolt Against That Idea Every -- TheMastersNemesis Jan 2013 #88

Politicians are paid to say that by business. But they say whatever their John wants them to, eh? jtuck004 Jan 2013 #95

well said Kingwithnothrone Jan 2013 #99

Our biggest problem is that resistance can be stopped with a fifty cent jtuck004 Jan 2013 #187

That's the new "plan".. SoCalDem Jan 2013 #92

I'm 54 and could retire next summer mokawanis Jan 2013 #94

^agree upi402 Jan 2013 #102

Are you certain your retirement fund is still intact? dixiegrrrrl Jan 2013 #175

I'm relieved to say that it is mokawanis Jan 2013 #183

And you better pray your state doesn't steal your pension duffyduff Jan 2013 #192

That was not so before treestar Jan 2013 #96

If they won't hire us, they should let us get Medicare at 50 LiberalEsto Jan 2013 #97

+1 area51 Jan 2013 #167

Wanted: New Paradigm moondust Jan 2013 #100

When I Was At DOL I Always Believed The Argument About Affirmative Action Was A Cover For TheMastersNemesis Jan 2013 #103

Education? moondust Jan 2013 #104

They'll make us work until 70, AND delete agism descrimination upi402 Jan 2013 #101

Why delete it when they're already practicing it? gkhouston Jan 2013 #118

At 55 I'm making BIG BANK because I'm not teaching punks FreakinDJ Jan 2013 #106

We need to revisit and enact FDR's Second Bill of Rights Snarkoleptic Jan 2013 #108

This is the answer. We must fight for this. Dark n Stormy Knight Jan 2013 #113

+1 n/t duffyduff Jan 2013 #120

Needed: New Deal 2.0 LongTomH Jan 2013 #153

There's an entire generation of people with ZERO computer experience.... Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2013 #112

Who are you referring to, the Baby Boomers? duffyduff Jan 2013 #121

I'm talking about the Al Bundy generation. Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2013 #130

Which generation would that be? 99Forever Jan 2013 #126

United Corporate States of America, Money Trumps All, all hail the 1% dominion$$$$$$$ nt mother earth Jan 2013 #114

I have been looking for 4.5 years for a job... sunwyn Jan 2013 #116

Yep. Going on five years for me. duffyduff Jan 2013 #122

I'm exactly a year younger and was laid off 4 times in just over 8 years. Snarkoleptic Jan 2013 #131

I worked until I was 71 at my previous job. RebelOne Jan 2013 #124

So you'll be okay with Social Security & Medicare and such, right? Honeycombe8 Jan 2013 #135

Yes, I am OK. I have Medicare and Social Security, which is not too bad. RebelOne Jan 2013 #197

I am scared of the situation if I become unemployed. Tab Jan 2013 #125

I can relate earthbot1 Jan 2013 #127

Tell me about it liberal N proud Jan 2013 #129

kick for truth and rec for power. Tuesday Afternoon Jan 2013 #134

It used to be 40. They got me at 41... Rhiannon12866 Jan 2013 #137

Over 40 and they have to worry about lawsuits flamingdem Jan 2013 #144

I saw a lawyer and he told me because I live in NY, they could fire me at any time for any reason Rhiannon12866 Jan 2013 #156

This lawyer didn't tell you about age discrimination lawsuits? flamingdem Jan 2013 #159

He was the one who told me. He was a friend of my Dad's and knew the whole situation Rhiannon12866 Jan 2013 #161

I would start making calls, try the state employment people flamingdem Jan 2013 #182

That's what they do where I work. You agree not to sue or disclose the terms of your "package". kcass1954 Jan 2013 #181

As long as corporations control both political parties, we are screwed. alarimer Jan 2013 #138

Well put. We cannot allow Social Security or Medicare age to be raised as the KOCH Bros. want flamingdem Jan 2013 #143

Emphatic K&R! This is a country where 1% control 40% of the coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #148

I was out of work for 7 months last year Kennah Jan 2013 #152

This post needs to go to the Greatest page... love_katz Jan 2013 #154

I'm holding on to my small business by the skin of my teeth mtngirl47 Jan 2013 #155

Good ol' Ebay duffyduff Jan 2013 #191

It May Not Be Discrimination. It's Automation. Yavin4 Jan 2013 #157

I have been reading a lot of this kind of argument lately duffyduff Jan 2013 #190

Everything that I did as a Paralegal from cite checking case histories, summarizing depositions,.... Yavin4 Jan 2013 #193

There never were very many jobs for paralegals. duffyduff Jan 2013 #195

Your Beef is with the American Consumer Yavin4 Jan 2013 #196

This thread is making me cry. So sad. This country is fucked up. lexw Jan 2013 #160

The American worker embraced all of this mayhem because they have been denied and/or rejected Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #162

If I remember correctly older non-college educated white males still vote republican reverend_tim Jan 2013 #163

K & R Wednesdays Jan 2013 #169

According to Republican dogma The Wizard Jan 2013 #170

Just Adding A Personal Anecdote Loubee Jan 2013 #173

Thanks for posting and Welcome to DU. I call what has happened in this coalition_unwilling Jan 2013 #177

Absolutely. LittleGirl Jan 2013 #174

As Mittfalca would say, "Why don't they just live off their investments?" valerief Jan 2013 #176

Or, "borrow from their parents"? Doctor_J Jan 2013 #180

Opposite Problem FreeJoe Jan 2013 #186

What a heartbreaking thread. BlueCheese Jan 2013 #203

The Problem Is A Major Change In The Employer Mindset On Many Levels. TheMastersNemesis Jan 2013 #205

At bottom it was Washington policies which laid the groundwork for the mess duffyduff Jan 2013 #206

I Agree With Your Post TheMastersNemesis Jan 2013 #208