The Discrimination You Cannot Avoid

Well, Michael, for once we mostly agree. Ageism is really the worst kind of discrimination in a way because it totally ignores the reality of the situation and focuses on something which may have no real bearing on the genuine objective.

Insurance companies are the worst offenders, IMHO. They arbitrarily increase premiums despite the fact that many ageing folks deliberately take up healthier lifestyles which IMPROVES their health and potential for staying well. There ought to be a law that applies to insurance companies as well as other businesses to prevent age discrimination.

One of the side effects of this arbitrary discrimination is that people over 70, for example, cannot get jobs they are well qualified for and can do as well or better than the younger folks because the insurance premiums are higher for them and the prospective employer doesn't want the extra financial burden. This leads to no job offer or the employer discontinuing insurance coverages (which hurts even the younger folks as well), or a re-organizing project that shrinks the potential job market. It hurts us all in one way or another.

Forcing capable people out of the job market and losing their experience and good work ethic example makes no sense at all. Gosh only knows we need some good work ethics, especially among some of the younger folks who seem to feel 'there's always another job'. We older folks know better and appreciate a good, responsible, employer if we need or want to work for someone else.

Sandi Bowman