[ManOfConstantSorrow]

I have rather suddenly found I am the oldest person (58) in my workplace - should I be concerned?

[gayleggg]

I think it might depend on the company. My husband worked in retail for 35 years only to find that he wasn't their image anymore and was forced out. However, jobs other than retail should be glad to have someone with your experience.

[lizardlady]

I believe it depends, in part, on what kind of work you do. If you are a pro athlete and your co-workers are all in their 20s you might be in trouble. And like Gayle said, it depends on the company you work for. Some companies value youth, some value age and experience.

Does something specific have you concerned about your age and work?

[Little Lulu]

How does that happen??? I am the one of the oldest in my workplace also. Seems like yesterday I was scurrying around, furthering my education, working overtime, developing new skill sets. Now I am semi-retired and learning yoga!

ManofConstantSorrow, I hope your job is secure and you are just commenting on something you've noticed.

[SnakeCharmer]

Don't know if you should worry .. some professions (like what I've done) are so stressful that most people get out early and leave it to the younger ones with more energy. But it's still a job that needs experience and wisdom more than energy, so being the oldest one around isn't a bad thing. Maybe it's time to reinvent yourself as the Wise Elder of the place, mentoring some of the young ones. So ... I salute you, Mr. Wise Elder. Share your wisdom and knowledge and see if it goes over.

[dancinglady]

I suffer every day being the oldest. I have seen really cruel things done to older workers like me to force them out. I would not wish being the oldest one in a work environment on anyone. I have also tried to get another job and ran into huge age discrimination.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Thanks for all these comments. It is true that management the world over longs to replace older better paid staff with younger cheaper ones, but I get no sense of that (yet).

Naturally as firm union man I keep the closest eye on any prospective breach of age discrimination legislation and will sue the bustards unmercifully if necessary: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN....pdf?dtrk=true

No, I am talking day to day:

How to avoid upsetting younger managers who have ideas I think fatally flawed
How to thwart perceptions of being unable to relate to younger customers
Keeping a straight face in the presence of low-level idiocy
Staying positive and no outbursts such as 'for focks sake you are still wet from your mother's milk' (Oh the temptation)
Avoiding intentions to sideline you to facilitate succession planning instead of having a proper management structure that nurtures talent

You get the idea I am sure.

[lizardlady]

How to avoid upsetting younger managers who have ideas I think fatally flawed
This makes me think of my grandfather when he worked for a major company. He had a high school education but knew the manufacturing process inside and out. He used to complain about the fresh new college graduates who just knew there was a better way of doing things. At first he tried to explain why what they wanted to do would not work. He got tired of being told he didn't know what he was talking about so he started letting them make fools of themselves.

How to thwart perceptions of being unable to relate to younger customers
Maybe talk about current things at lunch and breaks? Or maybe show you can relate to younger customers by relating to them?


Keeping a straight face in the presence of low-level idiocy
I don't believe this is age related. I've always had trouble with this. I chew on the inside of my cheek and excuse myself to the bathroom where I laugh myself silly.

Staying positive and no outbursts such as 'for focks sake you are still wet from your mother's milk' (Oh the temptation)
Oh yes the temptation! Again, I've never suffered fools gladly. An idiot is an idiot regardless their age. It helps me to vent to friends outside work about the idiocy.


Avoiding intentions to sideline you to facilitate succession planning instead of having a proper management structure that nurtures talent
I definitely have no advice about this one. I suck at office politics.

[snikco]

All most 60. Cant work with the youngins anymore, don't want to either. Feeling to old to be young and to young to be old. So for the last year Ive done much of nothing. I got some savings, Im kinda worried about what to do when it runs out. Looked for work but not much luck. What happens to old ladies that gave all their best to others and now has nothing left.

[Gus1234U]

welcome, Snikco. i believe women face too many employment barriers even before age kicks in. i would often (when i was still working) take a side-ways step to a new job, using the same skills in a different field (which is a lot easier than learning new skills~!).

i look forward to getting to know you. there is a Member's Forum on employment issues, if you are interested:
Work and Careers - Forums at Psych Central

i think there's a support forum that goes with that, but i can't find it right now. best wishes~

[Bernard54]

Originally Posted by ManOfConstantSorrow

I have rather suddenly found I am the oldest person (58) in my workplace - should I be concerned?

Good to hear you are still working. I lost my job 2 weeks ago in a 'cut-back'...didn't even warn me. One day I had a job, the next day I didn't. Where does one go at 60yo to find a job? Guess I can go bag groceries somewhere.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Realistically I would find it hard to get employment again if made redundant, so I have developed areas of contacts, training and skills to go into freelance consulting (just in case). Unlikely to be lucrative but I would not have a boss still wet behind his sticky-out little ears.

But you never know, unless those slimy Conservatives ooze into power again on 7 May and dilute employment rights further, there could be a generous early retirement package in a few years - one lives in hope.

[dancinglady]

I hate my job. I hate people I have to work with.