Out of work

[Birky]

I haven't been around since I have not been working since 02/01. We came back from vacation and I was called into the bosse's office and laid off after 31 years with the insurance agency. They kept the 2 younger women. I also had a shoulder replaced at Rush in Chicago on 02/28/08 so things were pretty hectic for a while. Needless to say I was devestated and truthfully very mad. I feel that I was discriminated against because I was 60. Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation. I did find a lawyer who does only Employment Practices. I have contacted her and am going to make an appointment. I am collecting unemployment but it isn't much. I never say I hat anyone but I can truly say this about my former employees. One of the girls who is 29 had bone cancer when she was 16 and had a prothesis put in er lower leg. To make a long story short, it broke about a year ago and she had a new one put in. In March it got so painful that she went back to Dr. and found that she had staph infection in the leg which destroyed the prosthesis. She has bee off since the end of March and now is having the leg amputated on 06/03 and will not be back to work until August. You would think that they would call me back but no. I would like to extend my unemployment for a few more months. I have interviewed but not enough hours or money. I hate to go out of the insurance field, but I might have to. I would like to sue them and win since I did nothing wrong except get older. Never complained about my work or anything. I think they are having money problems. I could go on and on but what good would it do. I see where Granbonnie passed. Very sad. Nice to be back.

 

[Ross]

Your not alone. It's happening to everyone and no it's not fair at all. They get away with it in almost all cases too.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I don't know about Illinois, but Texas is a right to work state. That means they can get rid of you without reason. If you were the only one let go, it will be difficult to prove that it's age, especially if they are having financial difficulties and you were higher paid than the other two. I personally would save the money that you will pay the lawyer and spend my efforts finding another job. It's difficult to be put in this spot, and it doesn't seem fair, but when the economy falls, companies have to make tough decisions.

 

[perrypiratesdad]

Marcia, I have to agree with Lisa on this. If they fill your old position with someone new, then maybe you have a case, but proving age discrimination is always really hard to do.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you land on your feet quickly. Stay positive and don't dwell on the past. Yes, it might have been unfair, but so is life. I think as a group, we can all agree to that statement.

As a manager, I too have had to let people go and it is never easy. It is easier when you have someone who is a pain in the rear, but when there isn't someone like that and expenses are the issue, they normally the highest paid is the one to go, unless the who place will fall apart without that person. But if I have two people who do the same exact thing, and one gets paid more than the other, then unfortunately, the higher paid one is let go. I know that stinks, but that is the reality of things sometimes.

 

[Bina]

No, life is not always fair....2 yrs ago my husband was part of a big lay off from a major airline. They kept the juniors and dumped many middle managers with the higher salaries and big fat pensions. Our life is so much better now, we are GRATEFUL for the kick in the butt to make a much needed change in our lives. Are you able to take some courses and possibly extend your benefits?

 

[Cooker]

Sorry this has happened to you...as Ross said, it is too common....I have been through two layoffs and it is because of both of them my life is what it is today....each slammed door was followed by one being opened with new and better opportunities....Please do not be afraid to switch gears completly...I was educated and worked in engineering for years and now am in the car business...I have never been happier.....

 

[WayneGM]

I was 21+ years with the same company. I came back from my 12 weeks OHS leave and everything had changed.....a structure with younger bosses, etc. They let me hang around for a year post-op but parts of my job kept disappearing during that time. At first I thought it was because they were being "easy" on me being post OHS, but it soon became apparent I was being phased out. A year later I was "restructured" out. They gave me notice and I tried to find something else within the company, but it seems younger people they can pay less to prevailed. Also I was one of those entitled to an old style defined benefit pension plan and to full benefits upon retirement, so that was another reason it was cheaper to replace me when the opportunity arose. Under our severance policy I was 6 months short of retaining those entitlements after leaving the company. I tried to fight it but it was me against a company with 60,000 employees world wide so they could afford to fight more than I could to avoid the precident. I was bitter at first, but now that's behond me and I'm looking forward to landing on somthing new....and BETTER! Best wishes and good luck.