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About being laid off and unwanted when you're 59
The Star (South Chicago) ^ | 4/23/6 | Michael Bowers

Posted on 04/23/2006 7:49:45 AM PDT by SmithL

One of my readers is an underemployed 59-year-old man from among us here in the South Suburbs. Call him Harry. He works in information technology. Slowly and wearily, he says: "Once you get past 50, I swear, it gets tough, it gets really tough."

For instance, Harry applied for a job with a city of Chicago department that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He got an offer for some contract work. There were no benefits, but it was a paying job.

A woman from the city called him one Monday morning and wanted to know if he could start at midnight. Harry said he'd like to give his current employer a week's notice. That wasn't good enough. The job was gone. The caller told him: "This is a brave new world. Learn to live with it."

(Excerpt) Read more at starnewspapers.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: babyboomers; downsize; economy; education; employment; gig; gigs; jobs; knowyourrole; laidoff; layoffs; learn; retrain; retraining; rif; rightsize; role; training
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To: ntnychik

I know exactly what you mean by the gratification from the adopted life styles of the children. It took what it took (quite a while) with my son of 38 but he and his sister are now quite responsible citizens of this Republic in that they believe it is above all else "their responsibility" to "make it happen" if they can. And trust me I didn't enter into early adulthood with any sense of responsibility. Some of us it just takes time and some nudges from those significant ones in our lives. The best "luck" if one needs luck in life was my finding (and her pluck in nudging and prodding me along) the lady and soul partner of my life some 39 years ago.


561 posted on 04/24/2006 9:49:07 PM PDT by ImpBill ("America ... Where are you now?")
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To: Revolting cat!
I should of

I think you were intending should've as a contraction of should have.

englishplus.com/grammar/00000204.htm

562 posted on 04/24/2006 9:50:54 PM PDT by Reeses
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To: CindyDawg

Hopefully, he'll get over it. My hubby soon came to realize I'd probably extended my lifespan by many years by getting out of the rat race. Happy wife=happy hubby. He's still working, and just a little jealous. I keep telling him he can retire in two years. (I've been telling him that for three years, now). My co-workers gave me the book, Freedom, as a gift. They "get it"! Good luck to you, and enjoy!


563 posted on 04/24/2006 9:52:56 PM PDT by ntnychik
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To: ntnychik

As you say, I'll be able to take better care of us.


564 posted on 04/24/2006 9:57:57 PM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: Alouette
I'm with you Alouette. Hubby and I had enough of the "temp" work atmosphere for the past several years. One job after another and we're both professional people. Hubby worked in engineering and noted the Canadian and green card workers were kept while he and his American co-workers given the boot. One of the places I worked (Canadian owned company) everyone over age 50 was let go. That included myself and the sales staff who had been with the company years and years. Oh, and "younger" workers replaced all of us shortly thereafter. You know those bonuses and benefits for the managers and CEOs, THOSE are the things that really seem to matter in today's working world!

Anyone who thinks their job is secure (unless they are self-employed) better rethink that!

565 posted on 04/24/2006 10:04:35 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: SmithL

My retirement plan is genetic and fool proof...Work my ass off and die in my mid forties like everyone else in my family, make my wife and kids insurance million heirs.


566 posted on 04/24/2006 10:05:38 PM PDT by Boiling point (If God had not meant for man to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat!)
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To: Reeses

Should of works for me:')


567 posted on 04/24/2006 10:08:43 PM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: KoRn; N3WBI3
" And you would hire someone who might leave you on a days notice?"

I know, it's pretty hypocritical. The Director expects 2-4 weeks notice when people leave, but was wanting someone to start immediately.

The absolute height of hypocrisy is the practice of demanding two weeks notice from employees who are quitting, but, providing zero notice when it's the employer who decides to get rid of the employee.

If you want to take a new job, you're "required" to give two week's notice. If you're getting dumped, it's "come into my office at the end of the day" -- and then, when there, it's "don't come back on Monday."

I'm sure the "captialism as religion" crowd will chime in with how it's the employer's right to do anything he wants, and the employees have no rights other than to be paid for work performed, and since "it's the employer's business", they should just shut up and get out.

Legal? Oh, probably. But,it sure does create resentment, cynicism, bitterness, and, in the long run, results in employees who have no loyalty whatsoever to the employers. Why should they be loyal to someone who has NO loyalty to them?

In the final analsys, we end up with a culture in the "end stage" of its course, with foreign competitors eating our lunch.

568 posted on 04/25/2006 12:23:48 AM PDT by Don Joe (We've traded the Rule of Law for the Law of Rule.)
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To: CindyDawg
I just want to know how many here are not telling the truth about being millionaires

Don't know about that, and of course, "rich" is a relative term. There's no question we're a society of spenders. What I do know is that a 50 yr old single man who's had a good run of work with nothing but his own needs to consider, has no business criticizing the guy who spent his life raising a decent family ($$$$) and now worries about getting the shaft in middle age.

569 posted on 04/25/2006 4:45:08 AM PDT by workerbee (A person's a person no matter how small.)
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To: Don Joe
The absolute height of hypocrisy is the practice of demanding two weeks notice from employees who are quitting, but, providing zero notice when it's the employer who decides to get rid of the employee.

With the exception of contractors, and employees released for specific reasons like violating company policy I cant say I much disagree with you.

570 posted on 04/25/2006 4:47:06 AM PDT by N3WBI3 (Jayne: She'll turn you in before in before you can say... Don't turn me in, lady)
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To: Don Joe
I'm sure the "captialism as religion" crowd will chime in with how it's the employer's right to do anything he wants, and the employees have no rights other than to be paid for work performed, and since "it's the employer's business", they should just shut up and get out.

Uh, oh, now you've done it. Better put on your asbestos suit. The money worshipers will be out in force to get you. For many on FR, the Unforgivable Sin is to even think about (much less voice) concerns or questions about the FR version of "capitalism" (i.e., greed). You can't even think about doubting that Holy Of Holies, "The Free Market". Quaint concepts like decency, morality, doing the right thing, treating your fellow citizens with compassion and respect, etc., have no place when all that you are is bought and sold in the marketplace. And forgot about placing any stock in that obsolete concept of national sovereignty and security, which we can't let stand in the way of globalism-driven profits.

571 posted on 04/25/2006 5:40:32 AM PDT by chimera
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To: CindyDawg

Never said kids shouldn't help pay for their college. However, part-time jobs don't pay 10 - 15 times what they did 25 years ago whereas college today costs 10 - 15 times what it did back then. It's simply a lot tougher today than when I was a kid.


572 posted on 04/25/2006 5:57:31 AM PDT by ContraryMary (New Jersey -- Superfund cleanup capital of the U.S.A.)
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To: ContraryMary

Today there is a lot more assistance and scholarships that buffer, which we didn't have. I don't know about you but I paid 100% except for a department 100 dollar scholarship that was given to me without even asking for.


573 posted on 04/25/2006 6:01:48 AM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: chimera

Decency and morality in business should be inspired, not regulated IMO. Treat people right. If you don't , they can leave.


574 posted on 04/25/2006 6:05:11 AM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: Dick Vomer
So if you're working 24 hours a day holding down three jobs when do you go to school? A lot of people mouth platitudes -- I did it (25 years ago) so everyone should be able to do it. And actually I've sent you an email pointing out why every kid would not be able to hold down a schedule like that. Student loans? Sure, they're there. When a year of college cost $1500 -- or less -- a student loan was no big deal. Today? Get real.

It's tougher today for middle class families to send their kids to college. That's just the way it is.

575 posted on 04/25/2006 6:06:27 AM PDT by ContraryMary (New Jersey -- Superfund cleanup capital of the U.S.A.)
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To: SmithL

Ain't life a bitch.

Pass the crying towel.


576 posted on 04/25/2006 6:07:11 AM PDT by Beckwith (The liberal media has picked sides and they've sided with the Jihadists.)
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To: CindyDawg

College costs being what they were 25 years ago I was able to finance my education via a part-time job and a partial scholarship.


577 posted on 04/25/2006 6:15:54 AM PDT by ContraryMary (New Jersey -- Superfund cleanup capital of the U.S.A.)
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To: CindyDawg
I make over 15 xs what I did when I was in school.

So do I. But then, I'm working a full-time job.

578 posted on 04/25/2006 6:18:37 AM PDT by ContraryMary (New Jersey -- Superfund cleanup capital of the U.S.A.)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
Just ratchet the argument up another step, and another, and another, and pretty soon he should have been a millionaire at age 20.

I know what you mean. The BS on this thread is just out of sight. I can't believe how many "perfect people" there are on this site, unbelievable. As for those who think people shouldn't take SS and Medicare, I say stuff it. I got my last statement from SS (I'm 58) and it shows that my employers and I have been taxed over $250,000 by both SS and Medicare over the years and I intend to get some of it back when eligible. Too bad for those who don't think I or others should.

579 posted on 04/25/2006 7:46:09 AM PDT by bfree (PC is BS)
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To: Wombat101

"Stop crying."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I didn't read any words of self pity in that article. The guy who was downsized could have taken the road that many take. He could have opted for food stamps and Medicaid and government housing. He could have stood at street corners with a phony sign promising to work for food. He could have sent his daughter to do naked dances for cash at Duke lacrosse players' parties. Instead, he is working, not for the wages he was making before, but there's no crying the article, just a statement of the facts.

Glad you have been able to put your education and experience to work for you in your own business, but why are you so judgmental of someone who has sought to find his own way by following a different path?


580 posted on 04/25/2006 10:43:07 AM PDT by OkeyDokeyOkie
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