I've come up against ageism and it isn't as though everyone doesn't know if goes on - they do. I even had an advocate say to me that ageism is more rife and racism and sexism (in job applications).
Quite how the mindset of employers can be changed to accepting older people as viable staff is another matter.
My personal experience: I applied for two jobs (admittedly I was over-qualified but I did tailor my CV and application accordingly). Not the area I have always worked in but I wanted to work but leave the job behind when I got home. I wasn't invited for an interview with the one company (didn't even acknowlege the application!) but was interviewed by the second. I was turned down for the second job as I 'had no previous experience' - I pointed out that that was factually incorrect; he said he'd get back to me after speaking to the woman who interviewed me. He came back and stated 'that [I] displayed no people skills' - I offered to provide him with numerous testimonials stating the exact opposite. He didn't reply.
Out of curiosity, I contacted the first company and asked why I hadn't heard from them and she stated, from the outset, that I 'lacked experience at the required level' - I pointed out that I was qualified and have experience of over 10 years and maybe she would like to check and see what reasons were given. She came back and stated that my application showed 'no signs of people skills'
Seems to be a common thread running here. I have mentioned this on other forums, much to the amusement of others who have been told exactly the same thing about their own applications.
Deferring retirement age will only work if employers are willing to employ.
Other than that, I have no direct experience of ageism.
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