It's very real. I've been on hiring committees for organizations and hear other panel members openly discuss the age of the applicant post-interview. I politely have pointed out that making those statements is discriminatory. It boggles the mind.

I'm getting up there in age, and along with a 61-year-old colleague with metastatic breast cancer, was let go from my job of 11 years last year with a life sciences nonprofit. Our two positions were replaced with new ones with all kinds of buzzwords to make the jobs seem different when they really aren't and to target newer-generation employees (indeed, the two people hired are in their 20s and 30s). I filed a discrimination charge with the EEOC about a year ago, which is stalled now due to COVID. It's very depressing, and I agree that most HR job application systems are set up to be anything but age-agnostic (by requiring years of diplomas/degrees). By all means, file with the EEOC or your state civil rights division if you feel you lost your job unfairly due to age, gender, race, national origin, religion, disability, retaliation, etc. #Ageism is a national disgrace.

You are 100% correct, however it is extremely hard to prove. The laws are there, but you have to have an overwhelming amount of evidence that you have been discriminated against. Then finding a lawyer to file against corporate company with unlimited power attorneys will wear you down and exhaust your funds in legal bills. The end result will be nothing. The intent is there, but the law is somewhat of a disclaimer and joke.

What gets me is the dichotomy between experience and age. They WANT 10-15 sometimes 20 years experience without a gray hair or wrinkle.

I would agree that age discrimination is a fact of life. Some businesses are hiding behind COVID 19 to terminate their elder workers, even if their business is not badly impacted by the virus, it is an easy means to an end for HR. Does not speak well for corporate loyalty, as in many cases it is the older personnel that helped build the company. That being said it is nearly impossible to prove, and COVID has further complicated the issue.

Don't come to Connecticut and try to get a job with the state if you are a older worker, age discrimination is the norm especially at state and federal level. You will have to go to a fast food restaurant and compete with the younger people for those jobs and you still might not get a job. But if you barely speak English you will have no problem getting a job with the state of Connecticut no matter how old you are, speaking from experience, not making this up

I didn't believe it was an issue and then I was laid off. I'm 57, it's been 14.5 months and I don't seem any closer to finding a job than I was before Covid. I've worked as a manufacturing engineer, process engineer, maintenance manager, robot programmer, and a couple other titles. I don't feel that I'm stupid but I sure feel that way.

It's happening everyday although they say they're not. I applied for numerous job positions with Lowe's, from stocking to sales associate at different stores. I did 6 on 1 day and a week later I got 4 turn down letters saying they chose other candidates. I also signed up for their weekly job offer site. Wouldn't you know those same four jobs they "chose other candidates" were on their site as open positions. So don't let them tell you that they don't turn us older worker away because of age. Oh, I'm 61 years young, I'll be 62 in 3 months. Hmmm, can't hire him, he's too close to retirement! Shoot, I'm so broke I'll work til lunchtime on the day of my funeral!!!

I would like to chime in here. I was hired by Google at the age of 63 and retired at 67. The only ageism was internal, at first I got over it and felt respected and included even though my peers were way younger than me. Believe in yourself and your skills. Present yourself honestly. Just dare and try. My 4 years at Google were the highlight of a 50 year career! I brought a different energy and perspective to my team!

Age discrimination occurs not only with hiring: I'm in the process of being wrongfully terminated from my teaching job with the El Paso Independent School District after twenty-three years of faithful service. The only reason they want to get rid of me is that I'm old and white.