Seniors Site

Age Discrimination: How to Handle At Work

Actually, age discrimination works at two opposite ends of the spectrum. Age discrimination also occurs when a person is considered as “too young” or “underage” by the person in charge. However, seniors are most associated with age discrimination since its effects are most felt within this age group. Aside from that, young people can always seek help from their parents or guardians but a senior having problems with age discrimination can never be assisted by their children. They always have to do it on their own or else they be hitting a dead-end!
Age discrimination is usually the reason why most seniors who are not quite ready for a retirement chose to open up their own businesses instead of ever trying to land a job again. Even if there are laws prohibiting age discrimination, you can never really insist your way into a job especially if you are still applying for it. Indeed, companies know what to do in cases like this and seldom can you find that it is really your age why you did not get the job afterall. Often times, they will only harp on you being “over qualified” for the job or not meeting the qualifications needed for the job at all. But how would you know that it is really not your age affecting your ability to get employed again?
The answer is a simple “none”. Of course, there’s no way you can tell. However, there are things you can do to help you uplift your self-esteem and not get affected by the rejection at all:
·    Do remember that at any point or any age in a person’s life, rejections are bound to happen so never take it personally. What matters most is that you know your abilities, capabilities and skills as well as your limitations as a person. You can always try again as any normal person would do.
·    Never set your mind to rejection just because you are “too old”. Things happen and you know it. It’s only a matter of proper mindset. If you brand your own self as old and incapable, people will start seeing you in the same light.
·    Age is not the only reason why companies fire their employees, most of the time, they fire those who are considered as “costly” employees—older employees included. Basically, it’s not your age, it’s the kind of money you are entitled to receive.
·    Be very conscious of the job requirement. Never apply for a job that is specifically made for younger people just to spite the company and cause trouble. We must admit, seniors have physical limitations which prevent them from doing physically taxing work. A senior applying for a work that calls for lifting and loading heavy objects is downright impossible!
·    Be familiar with your rights as seniors. Groups and associations such as AARP provide assistance to seniors. They will also advise you if your complaints have enough grounds or what to do at this point in time.