Re: OTP - Question on public assistance

Hi Nann:

Yes, most of my time has been spent in education. I was a high school
teacher and administrator for most of my career and then returned to college
teaching the last 5 years.

I also live in Michigan (tri-cities area).

I won't argue with you -- heck you may very well be correct. All I remember
is reading articles about how places want to hire older workers (as you
said, maybe it is MUCH older workers who are not a threat to take your
job!). Also, as I said, looking in my local paper, there are PLENTY (about 5
pages) of jobs available. My particular city is thriving, which is probably
bucking many trends.

Mel



"Nann Bell" <hanbellGOGATORS@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C4CEEEDC00C642D7F0284550@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:59:15 -0400, MZB wrote
(in message <nX2qk.18851$Bt6.3713@xxxxxxxxxxxx>):

HOWEVER, I have read that many places (fast food places too) prefer
older
workers. I bet they are much more dependable and, of course, more mature.
Admittedly, I am just talking about low paying jobs, but jobs
nevertheless.

But most f the "older" workers McDonalds et all hire are those past
retirement age - folks who want a few hours per week to supplement
retirement
income. That is significant because they are not viewed as being any
threat
to the manager's job. Someone in their 50s is less likely to be hired by
most fast food managers because at that age you still waant more of a job
than basic fast food. that means you'll either be gone the moment
something
else comes along or you'll be looking to move up in the organization
yourself.

And if the manager can hire someone who is 70 for a few hours rather than
you, his job feels more secure AND he avoids age discrimination charges.
Plus, he's hiring someone who reminds him of his grandparents, rather than
of
his parents.

Of course, a lot depends on your skills/education. I retired in my upper
50's from one job and had numerous job offers. I worked part time for 2
years and decided I was not ready to retire so I am now full time again.

Oh, but that is such a different situation. Even at 72, when my dad
finally
reached full retirement from UF, he could have consulted or worked
part-time
for other institutions, had he wanted. But how many chemistry professors
with years of experience in quantum mechanics & who were known as the
department's computer expert are out there? Far fewer than folks who can
throw together a hamburger by a formula. Come to think of it, Daddy was
in
his 70s when he wrote the last edition of his textbook, still considered a
classic almost 20 years later. Different situation.

Carole-- I would just think that McDonalds or some similar venue would
jump
at the chance to hire a more mature person.

You are assuming a logical process is behind these hiring decisions! And
you
need to remember that many places have aversions to hiring
"over-qualified"
people. You can control the work force better if they are *just* skilled
enough and will merely do as they are told. It's a cynical view, I'll
admit,
but one I've seen evidence of many times over.

As a college professor, you've probablly spent most, if not all, of your
adult life in college communiites. Those are so very different than the
rest
of the country, as I know from experience. Back home in Gainesville, it
wasn't unusual for workers at MacDonalds to have Masters degrees, possibly
even PhDs, while waiting for a suitable job to open somewhere or for their
spouse/SO to finish their degree. The presence of so many students in
town
means a different attitude towards over-qualified workers. Folks there
know
such employees learn fast and generally are more reliabe because they
understand the need of balancing finances. In the country at large, such
tend
to be viewed as hreats and as folks who will be more difficult to work
with
as they are accustomed to having more control over their working
situation.
Sad, but true.

And when you add in being in that mid-range of older worker, not yet
retirement, but no longer 20 or 30 something, it's a double whammy. And
the
economy in the country right now is such that there are many applicants
for
every position out there. There may seem to be many jobs listed in the
paper, but have you inquired as to how many applicants show up for each
listing? Admittedly, I currently live in one of the more economically
depressed states (Michigan), but when hiring opens for halfway desirable
positions somewhere, they usually have 100 applicants per position show
up -
or more!
--
Nann
remove the Gator cheer to email me
Change everything. Love & forgive.




.

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