Age Discrimination in Employment

Age Discrimination in Emplacement

Landing a job is definitely a big step in a young man's life, moving forward.

After sending his CV to numerous companies, 35 years old Chris was eventually called for an interview in an advertising company. He was very elated that they had replied to his email after all this while.

The next morning, he arrived very early at the company's premises. Even though he had arrived thirty minutes earlier than the time scheduled for the interview, he still met two other applicants waiting at the reception.

Chris looked at the two other applicants with scorn and felt like casting a spell on them to make them vanish and have the job for himself.

"Why would little children who just graduated from the University yesterday drag jobs with people like us who have been job hunting for many years". He muttered under his breath.

Well, the others were called up, interviewed and dismissed. One hour passed after the last person was interviewed but Chris wasn't summoned. This made him very agitated and restless.

Had the interviewer forgotten about him?

Had he forgotten that there was one other person waiting at the reception?

Maybe he should just ask the receptionist to go into the office and remind her boss. But he thought against this. It might be a test , who knows.

Chris was still trying to make up his mind wether to still talk to the receptionist or not when he heard a voice from the office. "Next candidate!"

Chris breathed a sigh of relief.

His interviewer was a a stout young man who was also about thesame age as Chris, probably younger. He was wearing a cologne that made a big impression on Chris.

After going through his files for some ten minutes, the man looked at Chris and declared it was OK. Then he proceeded to start asking more questions which Chris answered to the best of his abilities. The two men talked for another twenty minutes before the man closed the files.

"Well I like you Chris, infact you did very well more than the other applicants before you. But I am afraid I can't employ you because you have exceeded the age limit of employees we are looking to employ at entry level. "

Chris heart sank and his throat immediately went.

"But sir, why would you send me an invite when you know very well that I am above the age bracket of the candidates you needed"

The man could only apologised for the inconveniences.

Chris was already angry and was about packing up his files and ready to leave when the man stopped him

" Well, I could still help you with a job else where which suits your age and experience. Just leave a copy of your files with us and I promise I would contact you as soon as I find an opening elsewhere"

But Chris already knew this trick used by employers and wouldn't fall for it. The talk about helping him getting employment at another firm was just to make him feel better.

I don't know about other countries but age discrimination as regards to employment have been a very serious issue in my country. Maybe a boss might fear a situation when an a not-too-young employee might argue about a decision or do things differently since he believes he is older and more experienced. Or a situation where an employee might report an immediate boss to the management if he refuses to bend to his will.

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