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Employment and hips are not compatible

Posted , 10 users are following.

belleAUSSydney
belleAUSSydney

I've been out of regular work for two years now. I am highly qualified in my field but that apparently means over-qualified, wants too much money and "too old". 

The most disturbing part is that off-record, I've been told that over-50s aren't considered employable because "they will probably need hip surgery soon".

I haven't told any prospective employer that I've already had it done, but still find the bias there. Has anyone else experienced this?

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

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  • cathy21850
    cathy21850 belleAUSSydney

    Posted

    Can't say I have experienced what you are going through bellAUSSydney but you I do feel badly for your situation. It must be disheartening. I am in my 50s though I live in Canada. I don't think your employers views are universal. .  There are a lot of very successfully people working in and running companies and who are very active in their 50s and 60s. Since being. On a wait list for THR, I actually can't believe the number of people I have met in our age group who have had hip and knee surgeries. Good luck. I hope you find a good employer in your field who values your skills and experience .

    warmest regards,

    Cathy

  • Msky
    Msky belleAUSSydney

    Posted

    I just find that as A nurse that has worked the floors for the last 32 years that it has become a young woman's game .I am now working a different position that includes direct pt care but not as a primary nurse.I have had to prove my ongoing worth and it has been challenged.Just makes me sad that 32 years of loyalty means so little to people who have really been there for a short time themselves.My husband was a job finder and he said there was very definitely ageism out there.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK Msky

      Posted

      I found thatwhen I was made redundant when over 50, it was muchharder to get a new position.  The solution for me was to have to work in a civil service job in London.  Not my first choice, but I had to go where the work was, and with an employer not just interested in the age of ihe employees but in their capability.

      Now I have experienced THR, and the amount of time I have had off, I can see why employers are reluctant to take on over 50's.  But our government is busy raising our retirement age - doesn't make sense does it.

      Graham

    • Malloo
      Malloo Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Exactly - the system is so wrong. I am 52 and love my job as a teacher, but with the retirement age going up and up, the future looks daunting. I am an early years teacher which means I spend much of my working day on tiny chairs, on the floor, bending down, working at tables / sinks/ work surfaces suitable for 4 and 5 year olds. No wonder my hip protested!!! I can do it now, I can do it for a few more years ( especially with my new bionic hip) but I can't see me doing it beyond 60 apart from anything else the government, in their wisdom, will probably change things another 10 times in that time I've got left, and it's like jumping through hoops.  Hey oh, I had better enjoy my convalescence while I can, because I will be back to it soon enough. 

      Mind you rocket man, even with all those barriers I have just identified, I would rather struggle with that, in a gorgeous little village school, than battle through all the people and traffic / transport in London. I am sure it has it's benefits, but it would scare me to death. 

      Good luck. 

      Malloo. X

    • Msky
      Msky Malloo

      Posted

      We'll we sure have been paying into our retirement but they keep stealing from the cookie jar and putting in all those IOUs so by the time we need to collect on tour retirement they will arbitrarily increase it for another 5 years.Not everyone was born independently middle classed.We have worked hardIm getting kind of tired😞
  • fiona_08868
    fiona_08868 belleAUSSydney

    Posted

    I agree that there are many people in their 50's and 60's who are successfully employed but try getting a position at this age. I should be having my 2nd hip replacement in August and will then be trying to find something. I had many successful years of employment but now it appears I'm overqualified and without a doubt too old. I'm willing to settle for less money! I've been told my only real hope is to find a contract or temp position. I am also in Canada and do believe this issue is universal!
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure fiona_08868

      Posted

      Hi Fiona, 

      i absolutely agree with you . This is a universal problem. Really as we age we hoped to be respected for our experience and education. We worked our whole live for a better job. It's the reverse when just starting out no experience. 

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure belleAUSSydney

    Posted

    Age or guessing that hip surgery is part of their analysis to excuse you from a job interview is not acceptable. In the US it is illegal and hard to prove. Talk about discrimination and judgmental. However it happens all the time despite all the employer rules and laws governing hiring practices.

    Just unimaginable how the world is all about youth and money.

    With experience you may be hired at a higher level and as well save the company money in the long run due to your experience. 

    It  never makes any sense to me. 

    Keep your head up Belle you will find a great job! Think positive!

    • renee01952
      renee01952 hope4cure

      Posted

      Hi Hope, 

      I have lived in Los Angeles for 34 years (back in Holland now for 2 years) - Worked for a company for over 10 years but was "let go off" due to downsizing, aka too expensive ! company rather hires young cheaper personel and if they leave, the leave -

      It is a global issue but maybe in different ways - Here in Holland, your age automaticaly puts you in a higher salary scale, plus paid vacation, sick days etc ... this was/is not the case in L.A. where anyone can work forever for $10.00 per hour , unless you are with same employer long time, started employement before the "crisis" of 2008 - But that is no guarantee - 

       

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure renee01952

      Posted

      That is very true.it all adds up there are so many variables as you pointed out. I can't begin to tell you how many time downsizing pushed many of my friends out. I worked in HR . Unfortunately I was the one to work out package layoff plans . It was cheaper to pay the employees a compensation package than to keep them working. 

      I worked for the largest steel company in LA. In HR.  I am retired now. I started out in LA when more than age or experience was a issue in the 60's. 

      IF you get my drift.

       

  • Malloo
    Malloo belleAUSSydney

    Posted

    Gosh, that is shocking. I will be returning to school in September, not just with a new hip, but also a relaxed mind. Jobs are so stressful these days, it's only when you stop , that you realise you become a different person, relaxed, able to laugh, able to take time with the important things.. Maybe businesses should take heed of that rather than throwing us over fifties out. You sound like you have so much to offer , hope you find the right place who will appreciate your skills. 

    Love Malloo 

  • renee01952
    renee01952 belleAUSSydney

    Posted

    Hi Belle,

    no, but was asked many times, when I was young, if I planned to get pregant !

    phew ...

    I hope you find something really great and will be paid accordingly - 

    How are you doing otherwise?

    big warm hug

    renee

    • Msky
      Msky renee01952

      Posted

      Your right Renee . Pregnancy is a big deal. Woman now are making up half the work force but are still only paid 2/3 of what men make and that really has not changed significantly. It needs to change as woman become just as well educated as our male counterparts. Pregnancy and the responsibilities of motherhood really figure into that equation. Corporations are not parenting friendly.
  • bertiewooster
    bertiewooster belleAUSSydney

    Posted

    I can sympathise with this. Although at 35 I'm not that 'old', I had an osteotomy op last year that didn't really work, followed by a THR 8 weeks ago and I'm due for my other hip in early September. My working career has been killed by all the interuptions and I haven't worked for 3 years, and I have a PhD. In my last job when my problem really came to light it got to stage where i was asked to resign or action would be taken to say I was physically incapable of working. I'm just focused on getting better and see what happens. If it is career change, so be it. Keep looking on the bright side everyone and two fingers to all the moron employers out there!
  • belleAUSSydney
    belleAUSSydney

    Posted

    I've been accepted to a post-grad course. It won't pay the bills, but will keep me out of trouble for a while.

    Like many others, including some who have replied, I have found that as the retirement age creeps up, those of us already out of work wonder how we're supposed to cope. I have no problem with working and have put in up to 18 hour days in the past to get jobs done. The employers these days want people with my experience, but with less than half my age so they don't have to pay them much. I have told countless prospective employers I am willing to take lower pay, do lesser work, etc, but they hire some kid in the end...

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