Why Me?

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Recommended: Essays on age discrimination in finding a job

Inequity based on age is rather widespread on our planet today. Some people have a tendency to base their actions and decisions based on a person’s age, whether they are young or old. This discrimination, called ageism, is stereotyping against individuals based on age. It surfaces in many ways, from unspoken assumptions to cruel accusations; overlooking the employer’s skills and experience. Age stereotyping remains a serious problem in our society, particularly in the workplace. To help decrease this discrimination, individuals should be more understanding of each other and fully understand each other’s environments.

Age discrimination affects elders from finding jobs because of their age. According to AARP, a nonprofit organization that helps elders, says it is not illegal to discriminate people for being too young; however those under 40 years of age aren’t protected. Older people are obviously more likely to have been with a business for a longer period of time than young people. Thus they are more likely to have higher positions with a higher salary. It is more difficult for older people to find new jobs. Once they find a new job, they must start out with the lowest pay. The manager often realizes that an elderly person simply cannot have a long-term dedication to the company and may also be missing more due to health concerns. Another reason for an employer to not hire an old person is because of advancing technologies. Elders lack in knowledge the high-tech areas in new industries (“Age Discrimination Workplace”).

In 1982, the median age of the labor force was 34.6, compared to the 40-plus of today. Increasingly, the U.S. labor pool will consist of people who are covered by the ADEA. The ...

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... Age Discrimination Lawyer :: Age Discrimination In The Workplace :: Riverside, California Employment Attorney." California Employment Discrimination Attorney - Los Angeles Employment Lawyer - Hollywood Sexual Harassment Lawyer. Web. 26 Mar. 2010.

Miller, Jim. The Savvy Senior: the Ultimate Guide to Health, Family, and Finances for Senior Citizens. New York: Hyperion, 2004. Print.

"Sheldon Steinhauser | Home | MSCD." Rowdy Academic Server. Web. 28 Mar. 2010.

"U.S. Department of Labor - Find It By Topic - Equal Employment Opportunity - Age Discrimination." The U.S. Department of Labor Home Page. Web. 25 Mar. 2010.

“Workers 50+ | Age Discrimination: What Employers Need to Know.”

"Your Rights Against Age Discrimination - Free Legal Information - Nolo." Lawyers, Legal Forms, Law Books, Legal Software, and Free Information - Nolo. Web. 26 Mar. 2010.

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