AGEISM IS REAL

When Work Ends, Identity Often Ends Too Introduction: After thirty-seven years of work, I lost my career.  What followed was not simply unemployment. It was as if the scaffolding of my existence had been suddenly kicked out from under me—my identity, purpose, daily rhythm, financial stability, and the future I had spent decades working toward were all gone in an instant. The hostile workplace that preceded my layoff had already left bruises on my spirit. By the time my career ended, I was lost in waves of major depressive disorder, anxiety, and insomnia, barely recognizing the person I had become. For many people who experience age discrimination, the hardest part is not losing the job. It is mourning the person you thought you were—the self that once felt secure, valuable, and seen.  I had spent decades building a career, raising a family, and doing everything I believed was expected of me. Suddenly, I found myself asking questions I had never had to ask before: Who am I now? What purpose do

My Story: Part 3 of 3 Workplace age discrimination can be subtle.  Hard to recognize. But trust me, it is very much alive. It’s taken six months to write this article. Hopefully dear reader, this personal example of age discrimination in the workplace is conveyed void of the emotional baggage I have carried. In early 2022, I was interviewing for other management positions, seeking a salary increase that had eluded me. During that time, I had a one-on-one meeting with Karen, my new Assistant Vice President. Karen was warm and easy to talk to, making me feel heard and safe. That feeling of safety led me to bring up my concerns about ageism within our parent organization. I tried to convey it wasn’t just about one incident or one team. Ageism seemed to be more widespread. (Please see article linked below referencing a specific incident). Karen listened attentively and showed genuine concern. To my delight, Karen offered me a promotion on one of her other teams. She emphasized my value

My Story: Part 2 of 3 Over the past twenty years, my career has been an incredible journey, filled with challenges and rewards. Looking back, I realize how deeply immersed I was in work that I truly loved, alongside colleagues whom I greatly valued.  However, unbeknownst to me, the inevitable storm brewed within senior leadership, ready to deliver its turmoil. It all began in 2019 with a promotion that required relocating from Northern California to Southern California. After multiple rounds of interviews, I was offered the job. The promotion came with the added benefit of the company covering our home sale and relocation expenses, leaving me feeling immensely fortunate. At the time, I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was to still be valued at my age. However, it wasn’t until later that I realized I had dodged a bullet. None of the interviews took place in person or via video calls. It was like one of those dating shows where people don’t meet face-to-face until they’re already involved.

The hidden cost of a toxic work environment Introduction:  After being laid off, I have been looking for work in a comparable role for nearly a year.  It has been quite disheartening.  Ageism is a problem in today’s workplace, where those of us over fifty often struggle to find good jobs. Although older workers have tremendous experience and skills, we can face unconscious biases that make it harder for us to land the jobs we strive for. As we age, so does our experience and skillset. However, when it comes to looking for a job as an older worker, ageism can often become a barrier in the hiring process. It is no secret that age discrimination exists in the workforce, and older workers may face challenges such as being perceived as overqualified or too expensive to hire. But, with the right approach and some tweaks to your resume, you can overcome these obstacles and find a fulfilling job. I offer the following information and tips, which have been compiled from