Testimonials

• "Dear Philip,  I am aware ofhe tireless work carried out by CAADE in the battle to remove age discrimination in employment … It is deeply unjust that that many are denied  the opportunity of work purely because of a prejudiced attitude towards their age by some employers. This not only causes great misery to those affected.
  
  "It also reduces Britain’s industrial competitiveness. As you will be well aware, the case for employing a balanced worforce, including both younger and older workers, is an overwhelming one. It is economic nonsense not to invest in such a balanced workforce but, since there are still those that wish to continue with this blinkered attitude, Labour will introduce legislation against age discrimination. The Rt. Hon. Tony Blair MP and past Prime Minister of Great Britain.
• "Dear Philip,  I am enclosing a copy of a briefing on the ‘intermediate labour market’ for your information. You will note that age discrimination is mentioned in this document. I goes without saying that our policies for the over 25’s include the older worker and these, together with an ‘Act of Parliament’ making age discrimination illegal, should ensure that the over 45s are never discriminated against on the grounds of age again.
  
  "Public awareness of the problem will, of course be greatly heightened during the process of the Parliamentary Debate  which will precede the legislation." Ian McCartney MP (past Chief Employment Spokesman for the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament).
  
• "It is always such a pleasure to receive your newsletter, and I commend you once again for the balance of content." Chris Pitura."
• "I am over 50 and unemployed, surprise, surprise! I found your website very informative and I agree with your sentiments absolutely. I was made redundant just before my fiftieth birthday and I have taken whatever crap jobs have come along. I have done basic computer courses, no doubt it shows! I am also doing the C&G 7037 adult teaching cert as i am training to become an ADI and teach driving. It is infuriating that there is so little help from the authorities, it is demoralising because I really want to work. I am keen to learn new skills, I feel that I still have much to offer, thank-you." John Fairbairn."
• "I am convinced that I have suffered age discrimination when applying for jobs after being made redundant at the age of 43. I was a research chemist and well versed in IT skills and it took me 9 months to find a job where I had to complete a three month probationary period. This job hasn't worked out.  I have managed to get a one year fixed term appointment lined up.
  
  "I had to make 150 approaches to employers and agencies to get this far. At an interview, I have seen my date of birth highlighted on a copy of my CV by somebody who was probably older than me. I am fit, healthy and can offer experience, flexibilty and maturity yet it seems these qualities are not universally valued. Perhaps one could point out the drawbacks of employing under 35's rather than the perceived failings of over 35s.
  
  "Whilst not wishing to make statements that could result in litigation, if there was some way to identify employers on the site, for who there is compelling evidence that age discrimination is being practiced, it might have some effect. By the way, I would welcome a reply from you.
  
  "Employers who practice age discrimination are showing both lack of vision and understanding, and contributing towards a failure to achieving their full potential. It is ridiculous that many MDs, company chairmen etc are in their fifties yet their HR subordinates probably filter out CVs from potential applicants by age. I belive a campaign of extolling the virtues of experience would be helpful. The organisation will always have my moral support, and if circumstances allow in the future, my financial support perhaps." Graeme Robertson.  
• "I am a British citizen, aged 54, female, with two sons to support, living in Switzerland. I was made redundant with the rest of the staff when my employer, a global publisher moved out of Switzerland.
  
  "I am reasonably well qualified, proactive, computer literate and am interested in the latest technology. Yet nobody wants to employ me. I have had interviews, sometimes even a second one, with some top companies though.
  
  "Generally I feel that I am looked upon as a has-been with nothing to give to the future of a company. I am keeping busy doing further IT courses and finalising an OU Certificate of Management course. Yet I do not know how to get past this silent barrier.
  
  "Age is almost always mentioned in job adverts in Switzerland. Most often it is up to age 35, almost 20 years younger than I am. Anyway I found your Web site while looking for help. I think Holland have recently passed legislation concerning women over 50 and employment, and France too has become much more aware of the problem. Well I just wanted to give you some feedback. Your site is excellent and very helpful. I will probably try to support you in some way when I can. Kind regards." Gillian Kalter.
• "I am 29 and already experiencing ADE in the IT industry - it seems that one is 'past it' once over 25...." Karen Cooper.
• "I lived in the USA for many years where age discrimination in the work place is against the law. Our law makers/Government procrastinate in passing an age discrimination law, we need it NOW! Stop the advertising where young person/ages/male/female etc are still clearly used, EVEN in the job centres which I have recently seen. Legislation Now!" Terry Burton.
• "I am a supporter member of  SSON (Senior Surfers Online) I would be most interested in your response to those 45 + who went back to higher education but are still faced with the fact of being unemployed - one reason given at interviews is 'you are too qualified for the job'! The other is the ND50 + is of no use to anyone unemployed because you have to be in work to claim any of the benefits - a very hard road to travel on one's own. so a mature graduate is faced with a bank overdraft and very little opportunity to actually use their new skills myself included." Valerie Williams.
• "I support you all the way. The IR35 issue is a disgrace and must be addressed. As with race or sex discrimination it is likely that there will have to be some type of legislation. Your statistic that by 2002 half of the electorate/half of the workforce will be over the age of 45 is very interesting. I suggest that this gives us REAL political muscle, if we can all focus on supporting CAADE." Sue Kenney.
• "In my present job, I am researching new project ideas for an ILM (Intermediate Labour Market) based programme. I have been on various websites and have not as yet found any ideas of what sort, if any, particular work that Older Workers would like to be involved with. The work that I am involved aims to set up projects, for the long-term unemployed.
  
  "You could look at as paid work experience. The people on the projects do not have to have any experience in a specific area, as full training will be given. After the initial stages of the project being set up the objective is to make it sustainable.
  
  "The people are taken on for a maximum of one year, whilst they work towards a qualification and obtain experience within that particular field. We think that this would be of serious interest to the older worker as it would be a challenge for them to learn something completely new and also end up with a qualification at the end of it. Could you let me know if you have data on the specific areas in which the older worker would be interested in. Please note that this is still in the research stage and nothing is finalised. Regards." Pauline Smith.
• "I was doing a project for Office Management and it was about many types of discrimination in the workplace. I have found this site very useful and interesting, and has told me some interesting facts." Leanne Strachan.
• "Hello, I am in the process of revising a Business degree, and one of the topics covered is age discrimination. I wish to thank you enormously for your amazing resource website. I have gained much valuable information and statistics which shall become beneficial in my exams." Lenora Solomon.
• "My mother was retired off from the Royal Bank of Scotland in Southend-on-Sea at age 60 against her will, and has been engaged as a temp (through an agency) by the same former employer several times between age 60-65.
  
  Recently, an almost 60-year old employee  of RBS complained that she should not be retired off at 60 if the RBS was continuing to employee my mother as a temp. The RBS then refused to hire my mother through the agency, claiming that they " were not insured to have 65-year-old employees."
  
  In fact, the agency is responsible for my mother's insurance, not the RBS. The agency does not disclose the ages of its temps. The RBS only knew my mother's age because it had employed her previously. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated." Lynda Zadra-Symes. 
• "Philip! I was disappointed to hear that you are suffering from PD/MSA, and send you my sincerest good wishes that you continue to inspire, motivate, and positively support the cause. I have met you on a number of occasions, and continue to publicise your newsletter throughout my work and travels. (I originally became involved on the 'older worker front' about ten years ago with Bruce Clarke in Swindon. I have recently taken on the role of South West rep. for TAEN)  Take care, and long may you continue with your wit and wisdom! Kindest regards." Chris.
• "Hi Philip,  Sorry to hear the news of your illness - I will say a prayer for you and your family. Many thanks for the many times your newsletter has made me smile not to forget the serious problems you've helped me through and I am only sorry that it has taken your sad news to prompt me to say THANK YOU ! Kind regards." Gwen Raphael.
• "Hi Phillip, I've been receiving your Senior Surfers Online Newsletter for some time now, and just wish to say thank you. I'm a 60+ Englishman with a few websites and deal mostly with US market. It's such a refreshing change to see such a well written and informative Newsletter, written by a Brit on British topics.Thanks again." Joe Robson.
• "I came across your excellent site while swapping ezine ads with you. Although I'm 'only' 35 I still realise that age discrimination is a major problem, especially in the UK where so many people are made redundant on a regular basis.
  
  "Years ago, 50 was considered 'old' now it's hard to see and understand the difference in a 35 yr old and a 50... if any at all! Good luck to everyone who's searching for work, whatever the age and wherever you live. Don't be disheartened by comments on age ... If there were more people like Philip Walker, the world would be a better place." Jayne Sidiropoulou (Greece).
  

Register free now at 45-65.com