I refuse to work for Wal-Mart or Burger King. I was working for the state of AZ on a contractual basis as a clerk for a department that reviews criminals who are locked up. After a year, my boss got so snotty and repulsive, I quit. It was scary and great at the same time. My peers visited me two weeks later asking me to return. I said, I like you guys, but the system under which you work is .emotionally destructive [that is not what I said but that is what I meant]. I soon visited temporary employment agencies and full time work employment agencies. One temp agency had me handing out water in glasses at a formal gathering. Hmmm. Multiple degrees and this requires a 3rd grade education. I handed out water gracefully and professionally, regardless. Can you believe this--everyone went home about 9:45 pm. The entire center was empty except me and security. The next day, I went to collect my pay. The supervisor asked me did you leave the work site before 10 pm, the ending time of the contract? I said I sure did. Security was not sure why I had even stayed past 9 pm. It was me and them. They even had wrapped up 45 minutes earlier and cleaning took all of 15 minutes. When the supervisor heard me say, yes, I left early under the suggestion of the security operator at the site since I was the only one at the center besides him, the supervisor said since you left the event 30 minutes early, I am not paying you. PERIOD. End of story. I had to go to the event manager and get paid. I returned 6 times to a temp agency that had tested me--and I aced every test and got no referrals. Finally, I caught the owner in one day. He said I cannot use you. My contractors will not allow me to send out anyone over age 45. Good bye and yes, I know it is age discrimination. In the AZ Republic newspaper I read of similar accounts around Arizona. I called employers and media experts. Why do employers other than Wal-Mart and Burger King not interview candidates over age 45? To this day, I have been told, You [older guys] use up too much medical leave. You will only stay as long as it takes to find a better job, and The boss is insecure. FACT; only 5% of those over age 45 in the US, after they get pink-slipped, return to the field they were in. While it is a fact that an older person with a degree has a shorter learning curve, it is also a fact that said employee can help a company reach greater net profits faster--thus being very profitable [to hire the elder person]. FYI--glad I am self-employed. I sent out resumes to 2,500 firms over the past 3 yrs. I have received 3 responses--from insurance companies needing sales people. I offered to come be their VP, operations but that was not met with a positive response. IF it is a fact that many employers are dying to find quality employees, maybe what these Company HR departments are saying is that they seek degreed people [BS and MBAs] as long as they do not have to pay over $5.75 an hour!? Can you believe it that offers to work for free or $1.00 for a mo, have been ignored! Lawsuits have proved fruitless and contacts with the EEOC the same. It only takes one New hire by the offending company after a complaint is filed to get the EEOC to back off. |
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