Last year there were 24,582 age discrimination cases received by the EEOC (The Federal Equal Opportunity Employment Commission). The Employment Act of 1967 protects workers who are 40 and older from employment discrimination based on age. Most of these cases have stayed out of the headlines, but the impact to the lives of those affected was both real and life-changing. A couple of weeks ago, a headline read, “U.S. sues AT&T for age discrimination.” The really sad thing about this is that hardly anybody was surprised or shocked by this statement. The American economy long ago began to devalue the wisdom and experience that comes with age. Has it gotten to a point that 40 is now an acceptable age to be put out to pasture? Are we so obsessed with the trappings of youth that experience is considered overrated? As CEO of OurExperienceCounts.com, an online community dedicated to extend the careers of mature workers, I’m both angered and energized by the article. It would be naïve of me to believe that we will successfully change the realities of corporate America, but through educating both employers and employees, perhaps we can begin to make a difference.
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The CEO of AT&T had blacklisted people who were pushed out with certain packages CIC, VRIP. If someone applies for any Telecom position either as a direct employee or working for a contracting house for AT&T work their Social Security number is flagged through AT&T’s etemp system as “Not a Fit”. Which is a blatant blacklisting lie. These people have more skills than the average person applying through etemp for a job in Telecom. What these people have in common is their average age is over 40. This spell AGE DISCRIMINATION. There is no business reason. Also AT&T has 90% of the jobs which closes whoever they blacklist out of the entire Telecom Industry. This should not be allowed. I say break up AT&T again cause the CEO is heartless and too powerful.