PANORAMA

[Stephen_374341239]

Did you see Panorama last night Monday 09th/02/2009.It was about trying to find work once you had reached the grand old age of 50 then went on about people wishing to work beyond 65th Birthday.

It was for me a real eye opener. I have been looking for work since being made redundent over 12 months ago. I am 56, 57 in May. Now I know way I canot find work to OLD ?. My wife has just been given her compulsary redundency from the largest insurance company in UK. From one of it offices down here in Worthing. She has also been told after working 35 years in the trade the chances of her finding a job at her age are slime.

I know my wife and I have got a bit of snow on the roof but the boilers havent gone out yet.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi stephen

yeah bloody annoying isn't still there is some light at the end of the tunnel I managed to get onother job at 58 two years ago after being made redundant when the place I worked closed down.

so it is possible ??? of course you will have to expect to take a pay cut down to the minimum wage do some meaningless job in an alien enviroment run by some school kids in short trousers being told that a life time of experience is not worthy of respect, just the ability to keep up all the 20year olds in work output, oh and keep your cool when you are affectionatly known zimmer frame or grandad.

good luck you'll need it

colin

 

[Guest]

I agree there is ageism in the market place but it is a funny old world. In some industries, mine included, age is a benefit. Basically you can work as long as you like, and often until death finally removes you from your desk. I have 'retired' 3 times and have been called back twice, although I am mow old enough for my bus pass. The big problem was that during the last recession no training was done and about 10 years of experience level was missed. This means the ones coming up are too young and inexperienced and the rest of us 'granddads' are being asked to carry on. I could return again tomorrow but I am concerned that my wife would end up a widow before due time, so although money is wonderful, sometimes one has to make a choice, and hope for the best.

However, to anyone that has hit the 'buffers' at totally the wrong time, and wants to restart, I can only offer support and sympathy. Unfortunately, we have destroyed all our manufacturing so skills are no longer required in the UK. Careers now depend on the length of your tongue and whether you support the right political Party.

 

[v.meldrew2]

I retired voluntarily two years ago aged 57. After doing the usual domestic improvement jobs I found I was bored (wife was still working, so not entirely free to go carvanning). Without trying very hard I found a part-time 'White Van Man' job on basic pay - I have never been happier! No responsibility, no stress, no reports to write, no meaningless stats to collect, no tedious conference calls! However, my wife has now decided to retire early and we have planned a 3-month caravan trip around UK and France this summer. So I will have to quit the job, with little or no prospect of finding a job when we get back, just a smallish pension to live on. Are we doing the right thing???? Should we hang on to our jobs while we have them? Anyone want my job? (small commission!)

 

[Gumbo]

I to retired early which I don't regret. I did take a job at " every little helps " and I struggled on for two days.

I don't really know what I expected, but believe me it fell far short of whatever it was.

It is difficult going from a professional position to one of working in a warehouse or filling shelves. The young people employed in these supermarkets are not the brightest, they never had the qualifications etc to go to College or Uni. So be careful of taking just anything on for the sake of it.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Gumbo

I have been for so many jobs just like what you are saying. But all I keep getting your over qualified. We all know what that means after Panorama you to old OLD CHAP. I do not feel old at 56 year.

 

[Soozeeg]

I to retired early which I don't regret. I did take a job at " every little helps " and I struggled on for two days.

I don't really know what I expected, but believe me it fell far short of whatever it was.

It is difficult going from a professional position to one of working in a warehouse or filling shelves. The young people employed in these supermarkets are not the brightest, they never had the qualifications etc to go to College or Uni. So be careful of taking just anything on for the sake of it.

I too now work for 'Every little helps', having previously worked as a secretary for 20 years, the last 8 years as personal secretary to a Chartered Building Surveyor. I am in this job by choice, due to various lifestyle changes and personal reasons. Not everyone there is a young person who is not too bright and without qualifications, so please don't tar us all with the same brush!!

 

[Auvergne]

I visited two of my clients in the community yesterday. One lives in the most beautiful property in an affluent area, commuted to the City every day of her working life and has considerable money in the bank. The other lives in Council sheltered accommodation in a very small flat, worked as a cleaner and survives on benefits. Both are widows, suffer with dementia and rely on a considerable care package and meals on wheels to remain living independently. Neither would be aware of which day of the week it is, which month or which year and neither leave their homes save for GP/hospital appts. and are escorted outside at all times. One has to pay privately for the privilege of support to stay in her own home, the other does not.

Looking through a photo album with one of the ladies we chatted about the various snaps of Devon, Scotland, etc. and as her long term memory is still relatively in tact she was able to re-live her holidays. She encouraged me not to let my worklife eclipse what is really important, and said she was glad she did all the travelling she did when she was able. No amount of money will ever give her back what she has lost and none of us know what the future holds. Quite a thought....

 

[colin-yorkshire]

eee by ell gumbo if only life was so simple you are very lucky to be offered any job if you are over 55 never mind waiting for the right job to come along.

 

[Guest]

Yes, Tony Blair has the same problem????????

 

[colin(bridgend)]

I took early retirement and have my teacher's pension to live off. My wife is now also over the OAP age for women so we have her pension as well. Between us we net approx

 

[smiley]

Hi Stephen

When you apply for your jobs do you put your age down on your CV?

If you do, don't....

I found a job 2 and half years ago only part time but suits me, I was amazed i got it. I had been out of work 3 years with a neck problem, Only problem now is the recession is hitting us.

But I would stand no chance trying to get another job to suit me.

 

[v.meldrew2]

Well, I don't suppose it should be surprising to find a wide range of experiences from those of us in the over 50s age range taking up, or trying to, second 'careers'. Like others, my first career was in a professional, or at least, managerial role. I therefore found my new White Van Man working environment a bit of a culture shock. I never before realised the extend of racism, jingoism, bigotry and sexism that exists amongst ordinary working people. Whilst not being a squeaky clean prude myself I was still amazed at the number of 'F' words that could be included in every sentence, and often in the middle of words. Not to mention the prevalence of the 'C' word! As for racism, I think the National Front or BNP would cringe in embarrassment! However, contrary to other contributors I have found no personal disrespect towards me from colleagues or customer contacts, though it is evident I share neither their political views nor their vocabulary! Quite the reverse infact - I find that the way I am spoken to is very different (eg, 'F' word count), from the way they speak amongst their peers. Sometimes I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted that I am treated differently! None of this alters the fact that I find the complete change in my work very enjoyable - I now enjoy driving, where before my driving always had anaother tedious meeting to look forward to at the end - followed by a long drag home late into the evening very often. I would therefore recommend anyone to try anything and keep an open mind - the way people react to you is very much a result of how you react to them. And a change is always as good as a rest.

 

[Quack]

Having retired from business at the grand old age of 56 I found that after about 12 months I became bored. Not wishing to start another business I tried to get meaningful employment in jobs for which I was qualified - no chance. So I took myself off to college where I studied I.T. full-time for two years, with the result that I can now, at the age of 70, earn a little money as a pension top up. No pressure but it keeps the mind active.

 

[Guest]

Now being retired we have found that by moving our money around we can maximise our tax free allowances so we get all our incomes tax free. If either of us were to go to work we would move over this limit so on every

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Scotch Lad - I must agree with you entirely apart from two minor points. First of all I have never worn jeans in my life - when they first came out they reminded me of dungarees and now being retired I cannot afford them. Secondly I have worn a tie from the age of four on startin infant school and right through my schooling and working life, I now automatically put a tie on every morning without thinking otherwise - old habits die hard. Cannot do smiley icon so will have to do with LOL.

 

[Guest]

Colin, to each his own. I was unfortunately blessed with a neck size a ittle larger than my shirt size, so when I wear a shirt and tie, either the shirt looks baggy, or my neck looks as if it is going to burst over the collar. So ties have always been a negative for me, worn under duress.

My jeans are bought from not just any old Store but a ?%? store, and actually cost less than trousers. Again the sizing of that particular Store suits me, rather than the tight waisted things I could get in the Designer outlets. Ok, I have one thing in common with Clarkson, except his are more expensive than mine.

AS the say, with age it is comfort that counts not style. I do have a tie, but it is a black one for circumstances which I suspect will become more prevalent with age. Being Scots I can also get away with a kilt for formal occassions and use a bowtie, with elastic banding.

Take care and enjoy everything.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Colin, to each his own. I was unfortunately blessed with a neck size a ittle larger than my shirt size, so when I wear a shirt and tie, either the shirt looks baggy, or my neck looks as if it is going to burst over the collar. So ties have always been a negative for me, worn under duress.

My jeans are bought from not just any old Store but a ?%? store, and actually cost less than trousers. Again the sizing of that particular Store suits me, rather than the tight waisted things I could get in the Designer outlets. Ok, I have one thing in common with Clarkson, except his are more expensive than mine.

AS the say, with age it is comfort that counts not style. I do have a tie, but it is a black one for circumstances which I suspect will become more prevalent with age. Being Scots I can also get away with a kilt for formal occassions and use a bowtie, with elastic banding.

Take care and enjoy everything.

At my age it is a case of built for comfort and not for speed. Never thought of the Welsh kilt - now that is an idea, although I have Scottish and Irish blood as well as Welsh running through my body.

 

[tigger2]

I to retired early which I don't regret. I did take a job at " every little helps " and I struggled on for two days.

I don't really know what I expected, but believe me it fell far short of whatever it was.

It is difficult going from a professional position to one of working in a warehouse or filling shelves. The young people employed in these supermarkets are not the brightest, they never had the qualifications etc to go to College or Uni. So be careful of taking just anything on for the sake of it.

I too work for the "every little helps" company. They are one of the few companies that will employ the "retired folk". There are quite a few who work there who have degree's etc. I agree with Soozeeg don't tar us all with same brush.

Having a high powered job with all the stress that goes with it is not for everyone...Time with my family is more important than trying to be the biggest brown nose in the office!!

Rant over.

Tigger

 

[chippy1]

I too now work for 'Every little helps', having previously worked as a secretary for 20 years, the last 8 years as personal secretary to a Chartered Building Surveyor. I am in this job by choice, due to various lifestyle changes and personal reasons. Not everyone there is a young person who is not too bright and without qualifications, so please don't tar us all with the same brush!!

well said, you do whatever is good for you, life`s too short to keep running around after a boss that doesnt deserve it.

 

[Guest]

At my age it is a case of built for comfort and not for speed. Never thought of the Welsh kilt - now that is an idea, although I have Scottish and Irish blood as well as Welsh running through my body.

Go for it. There are plenty of designs that are not affiliated to any partcular Clan, so Scottish nationality is not a requirement.

 

[Robert_374373903]

Having been on the white collar side in the furniture business i retired at 55 for couple of weeks. My son got made redundant and asked me to give him a hand for a while in his new job.Ten years later i told him that Mother wantd me to retire proper as it looks liken i am killing myself ( had inserts put in my spine as they had collapsed).Told him week before and he was very upset, he thought i would go on forever.So i retired and not only holidaying but also moved down the coast to get over the "other side "quicker.By the way he got over it and is now succesfull on his own.