My older friends and I have been noticing that in the last few years society, in general, has shifted for the worse in its attitudes toward the old. It's like we are being thrown out the door.
It's the 'changing of the guard.' Younger people see older people as dispensable (because we are.) No one is *indispensable* in the job market.
School teachers have lamented about it to me when my children were growing up. One of my son's best teachers told me she was treated like a prehistoric dinosaur in her 50's. Hence the older teachers get pressured to retire earlier than 62, so their jobs can go to 20 something year olds at a fraction of the cost.
I've been asked to quit my job by younger workers who would love to replace me. I smile and say no, thanks. Since I can't be forced out they just move on to something else. Being older I've noticed more discrimination because of my age than when I was younger.
When I interviewed for a job on vacation a couple of years ago, one of the questions I was asked was how often did I call in sick, and how much was I off for illness? I was gobsmacked! I didn't even think that was legal to ask about someone's health because it relates to possible disability discrimination.
When I complained to the Utah labor department they told me it is a legal question employers can ask of potential employees.
Only in Utah kids. I figure it was because I was older that I was asked that at all. In my 20's or 30's that question would never have come up.