Hard Times After Being Laid Off and Made Redundant in my 50s. Now Unemployable.

[@craigs1437]

American media always loves to talk about racism but never about ageism.

[@AgeBlocked]

Exactly!

[@ctjmaughs]

As they say, work is for the young

[@craigs1437]

@@ctjmaughs Sounds biased.

[@teaadvice4996]

Heightism too

[@dennistyler9852]

More divisive.

[@miken7629]

I was Systems Programmer for Space Shuttle and was laid off at 56, actually I volunteered because they offered 6 months severance pay + unused vacation pay + lump sum option for my pension. I always strived to be in Above Average half of workforce and may have been able to stay but I saved a lot and was ready. Started walking 6 miles a day the first day unemployed because I had to undo 35 years of sitting in front of a computer, now 45 pounds lighter.

[@AgeBlocked]

@milken7629 Glad you were ready. Unfortunately, I was not. I was in the process of saving for a house deposit, and after being laid off ended up using that deposit. Also, I drastically changed my diet about 8 years ago, so now I have the health, just not the cash!

[@AlbatrossWhisper]

6 miles a day is normal for a European. A truly better continent

[@AgeBlocked]

I walk about 70km a week to keep my high energy dog calm. It keeps me honest. Unfortunately, I still have to walk him in the rain :(

[@8ofwands300]

@@AlbatrossWhisper why is it necessary to compete? I'm rather certain that not every European walks six miles a day just as I'm rather certain not every American is sedentary.. The U.S. is vast with many different types of people and lifestyles. Yikes pal. Seems you've got something to prove.

[@AlbatrossWhisper]

@@8ofwands300 Yikes pal. You need to travel more. USA is filled with cars. People have to go out of their way to be in shape because the gov wants you to be sick with the chemicals in your food. Hence why there are so many gyms..:that you drive to get to 😂😂😂 everything looks like a strip mall. McDonalds 😂😂😂Europe is vastly superior. Everyone is better off in a civilized world.

[@RTD3]

Started my own business when I was 58. 62 now and going strong. Hang in there and good luck!

[@AgeBlocked]

That's my plan too. Glad your business is working out well. What type of business is it?

[@julfeng]

Me too, same thing. Same age as you. Now I can retire comfortably.

[@VicDamoneJr82]

Why did you start so late in life

[@mtmg3648]

This is the only way to go once they start pushing you out. I am trying to think of a small biz idea now. Good to hear yours has been a success!

[@beepbeep164]

What business, an adult day care? 😂

[@wire731]

Hang in there , and don’t give up I’m in a similar situation. The statement “ to old to rehire and too young to retire “ is true

[@AgeBlocked]

Hope things improve for you sooner than later

[@BoydJones]

Age discrimination is real and no one warns us that it may strike.

[@AgeBlocked]

I sure didn't notice it as first, It didn't even enter my mind. But now I know better!

[@smustipher]

I am ib my mid 40's and bracing myself to be "done" by 55. Looking at a new job op and realiIng it mat be my last FT position so looking to make ihe most of ir

[@BoydJones]

@@smustipher That's wise indeed. The same people who want us to work until 70 generally stop hiring people in their 50s. So one has to be creative as "the cheese is moved."

[@headlibrarian1996]

Tech is notorious for it, so @Age_Blocked should not have been surprised by it, however enraging it is.

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

I'm 41 and I'm trying to stack enough cheddar now so that I can moon them as they walk me out when I hit 50.

[@mojoman327]

Gen X here. Laid off 16 times in 25 years. Every company or business unit that laid me off no longer exists. Great economy.

[@AgeBlocked]

It's much worse than they are saying it is. Even over here, we have record homeless people. We don't use the term "laid off" here. Does that mean made redundant, or fired, or both?

[@mojoman327]

@@AgeBlocked 17 times as of today.

[@AgeBlocked]

What type of job do you do?

[@mojoman327]

@@AgeBlocked Operations management. But I've done many things.

[@digitechmindset-n8b]

Pls share your part of story if possible​@mojoman327

[@barryvincentredmond3973]

Very interesting videos and narrated with such honesty,integrity,and in a very pragmatic way.Love the setting here with the lovely green foliage and wonderful bird sounds.Nature at its very best.!.

[@AgeBlocked]

Birds here are really noisy. Quite a few comments about them being too noisy, so I switched to filming indoors.

[@jackouille2024]

Hang in there mate, and stay positive! These suckers don’t deserve your depression. Best decision to get a dog (beautiful one at that). He will never let you down! Will be praying for you.

[@AgeBlocked]

Oh yes, I love my dog! Best loyal companion. I feel really dumb for not getting a dog sooner. My boy is a breed that has the character of being a velcro dog and very loyal.

[@mrjohnnyk]

@@AgeBlocked Yeah dogs are the best.

[@mnj640]

Given up looking for a job. Im 58 ageism is rampant. What these young people don't realise is it's going to happen to them.

[@AgeBlocked]

Only 1 in 4 companies would even consider an older person now, that that's someone with the perfect qualifications for the job. Just trying to be my own boss now.

[@skyblazeeterno]

I think gen z are far more aware that companies don't care about you than us boomer/gen x-ers did in our teens. I think it's because they've seen their parents getting screwed over. I try to tell my daughter who is 19 all about crap from employers

[@balajiram2755]

You are a good presenter. Please dont give up. Content creation and teaching online suits you personality in my opinion.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thank you for your kind comment. I always thought I talked too slow, to the point of sounding a bit dopey.

[@VicDamoneJr82]

Content doesn’t pay 😅

[@SoCalSurfer69]

In the same boat and doing the same thing. Subscribing to support and looking forward to hearing more.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks and more coming!

[@TheApeWonder]

Sending some love from Sweden. Really hope you realize your own worth. Thanks for sharing your journey. I had been unemployed due to the company I worked at went bankrupt, ended up in this market of recession of October 2023. Tried to get “back in” as a product designer, with front end skills, in tech. I’m 47 and depressed with mortgage. Great resume and recommendations but to no avail. So I applied for some schools just in case (as plan B) and now started studying cybersecurity. Hoping it’ll pay off in 2026. Ageism is real. I’m worried.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks and thanks for watching! I've had to take a massive drop in career (and pay) just to work. Good luck with the cyber security!

[@TheApeWonder]

@@AgeBlocked Thanks!🙏🏼 The world is insane right now, been for a while. Profit over people, profit over sustainability, profit over mental health, etc. The term “constant growth” is seeping through everything and is making us unhappy.

[@honestreviewer3283]

I'm sorry this happened to you. I turn 52 this year and am beginning to see the effects of age discrimination. I served in the military as a commissioned officer until I was 39, finishing my career with Special Operations Forces. I had an important job; I was an important person. While I knew I would be starting over from scratch to a degree upon entering the civilian workforce, I encountered people who don't understand the relevance of my skills and experience (I also have two degrees), or who make assumptions about my skills and experience (thinking I'm some kind of "Rambo"), or who are straight-up afraid of me no matter how friendly I try to be. Through my 40s I landed a number of senior-manager and director-level roles, but none of my engagements lasted longer than eight months; I either quit or was showed the door (after threatened, jealous colleagues or direct reports colluded against me and used my veteran status to spin lies that I am strict and hierarchical, which is actually antithetical to how SOF operates). So, here I am at the front end of my 50s and, honestly, I've stopped looking. I have some online gig work that pays okay, but it is nowhere near what I am able to earn. Were it not for my wonderful wife and her high-paying career, I don't know what I'd do. I've drank enough beer to float an oil tanker but, thankfully, realized all that was doing was hurting myself and my relationship. Thank you for sharing and stay strong; our jobs do not define us, and the people who've wronged us will get their comeuppance, in this life or the next.

[@bodhixxx1]

this may not help much but I was in the Army as a PFC and every Officer I encountered I was confident in their intelligence and leadership abilities NONE of them came across as a "Hitler" or a horses ass.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks for sharing. Your right, our jobs don't define us. Hope we both get something better.

[@juliuscesar4176]

I ran into a lot of fear and envy

[@marcusantimony7535]

I've been in software for nearly 30 years. If you get into your 40's and aren't a team lead, an architect or in mgmt, your goose is cooked. You can't stay working as just a programmer. There are folks that are younger and/or cheaper than you. You have to keep pushing upwards.

[@AgeBlocked]

I thought about that long and hard when I was 40 and just didn't like the idea of being a manager. My last few IT jobs was actually lower salary than the 40 somethings, so it's not that I was expensive, just old.

[@artura3553]

it was hard for me to listen to your story. I think I understand you well, I am 53 now and also work as a programmer (not exactly but very close : writing automated tests). Now the demand for programmers decreased about 65% .... I feel the age pressure beast breathing on my neck ... If I may give you advice, I would try to switch to different kind of job. I know it is hard but you have nothing to loose. Good luck ! Fingers crossed for you.

[@AgeBlocked]

@artura3553 Why has demand dropped 65%? Is it because of AI? Thanks for your kind comment. It's a work in progress on what to do

[@artura3553]

@@AgeBlocked Being honest I don't know the reasons... For years three was a story that there is lack od IT proffesionals and all of the sudden we are in deep sh.t. I think /heard there are few possibile reasons: Ukrainę war, covid, economy slowdown and AI. For sure AI was one od the major reasons... God bless you !

[@tancreddehauteville764]

The Anglosphere countries (UK, Aus/NZ. Canada, USA) are all the same in one respect: they don't have a social contract. You, as an employee, have no rights at all, it's a master-servant relationship and the employer is always the master.

[@AgeBlocked]

It only seems to be getting worse, doesn't it?

[@brianmaher5886]

CORRECT

[@daffyduk77]

PleaseGeneralisations can be the hallmark of the ignorant, there is a real disparity between the awfulness of the "Fire-at-will" US states like Wisconsin, say, to other more civilised parts of the US, and say the UK where employment law is strengthened in areas like redundancy. And the new Labour government is mandated & committed to removing "zero-hours contracts". We shall see. At least we have significant sick pay, maternity pay etc & much better holiday laws than USA. Maybe not as good as in France (where you are ?) . And possibly better state pensions.

[@vivekshivdasani9521]

That rustling of the leaves behind you sounds fantastic.

[@AgeBlocked]

I never noticed lol. Had a few complaints about the noisy birds, which I also didn't notice.

[@whiskeyhangover1438]

My friend, I feel so bad for you, it could have easily been me unemployable and it was only luck that it hasn't happened. Luckily, I'm in a union in New York State and I'm convinced that is the only reason I'm still employed. I have to work until 70, I'm almost 68 now and can eke by when I retire but if life isn't hard enough, that as we get older things seem to get harder. I was alone for many years after my spouse passed and it is even difficult to find companionship at our age but that also eases the burden if you find someone you can at least share the pain with. Thank you for your courage about telling people your experience, it is a very real situation, not one you can easily prepare for. We all get older at different rates and it is not something most of us can face prepared.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks so much for your kind comment. It is a realization that takes years to get to grips with. I'm over it now, and creating this channel was basically just an experiment. I never expected so much engagement to be honest.

[@Hennessy2020]

I am 30 years old and I am reconsidering my choice of being a data scientist simply because there will be lay off and there will be agism. I cannot continue to feed myself if the gap between 2 jobs is long. Nowadays even if you want to work for grocery store you need to apply online and you still have to wait. It is not like walking in with a resume and you have a chance for a job. I learnt now that I need to learn a second career to make as a skill so I can scale up to be a business. I put my pride of enjoying the title of “engineer” “manager” aside and choose a skill and horn it.

[@AgeBlocked]

Hang in there! Use your existing skills and try to side step into a different career, or have some work on the side, so you always have some type of income. That's my plan, which is to have my own business, as I am no longer going to rely on big companies to do the right thing.

[@777jones]

It is a great career with a good future. But you need to plan to retire by 55 at the absolute latest. 50 is best. Most people get laid off after 50 and nobody gets hired past that.

[@MrRar66]

Hey, i wish the best for you. I hope your best years a ahead of you!

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks and same to you!

[@Sanchyfab]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. That's terrible.

[@V.stones]

I know, right? It's tough to find a new job, especially when you're in your 50s.

[@Robby767]

And with the economy the way it is, it's even harder.

[@Jonesmatsunaga]

And with the economy the way it is, it's even harder.

[@roseyfischer]

I've been trying to save more, just in case.

[@Kattyol1]

I've been trying to save more, just in case.

[@__J____ff]

my amazing friend. Let me tell you a story of my short but quick paced life so far. Age is 34, worked at 17 different companies so far in australia, defense, banks, gov, startups, big companies, whether contract or full time - I got laid off many times in earlier years but always made sure to resign when the project reached a maintenance stage later on or I felt like they'd fire me down the road. F**** them !!! I have never worked for a company for more than 10 months. Apply for your next one ! You're a champ XD I'm going to quit everything soon and change from IT to carpentry and make my own furniture soon.

[@AgeBlocked]

That's a great choice. The prestige of IT has declined over the years. Most people I've met my age now think of it more as a blue collar job now. Copy & Paste.

[@grahamr56]

I closed this page and then decided to come back to it and respond. Yes, ageism is a problem. I'm 68 and doing my own thing now, having made many missteps in my career. I'm an IT industry veteran (with ~45 years of experience I guess I can say that) but I will not get work there today. I think the mistake that we make is we think IT is all we can do, because that's what we know. But there are opportunities for work that are potentially far more rewarding - financially and spiritually. A good example is teaching business English online. Those companies recognise your age as an advantage (experience, patience, reliability) and pay quite well. Don't let your experiences and beliefs become the limiting factor.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks for giving me some really useful advice. Much appreciated. I guess I would be close to 40 years myself in IT. I'm actually enjoying making videos/editing and working out the SEO thing, as it's more a good lesson in how to market for me than technically challenging.

[@allpraisetothemosthigh7770]

If you think you're too old to find a job, the world will be happy to agree with you. But if you stay sold on your ability to contribute to the marketplace using the knowledge and experience that you've built up over the years, you'll be back in action somewhere. I know it seems difficult, but you're the first person that needs to get sold on you and your value. Sell or be sold. (all said in the spirit of helpfulness)

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks for your comment! I think it's more the other way around. I don't think I'm too old, it's the hiring staff who think I'm too old. But after a decade of shitty workplaces and being unemployed for 5 years, one can only take so much. So I'm trying my own personal ventures now rather than rely on people with their personal biases.

[@8ofwands300]

That sounds very nice and TED talky, but unless you've been there, it's impossible to understand the headwinds against finding appropriate employment as an older worker. And on top of that, the grinding demoralization and rejection wears down your confidence and self-belief. It's a hard slog and I feel for this guy.

[@allpraisetothemosthigh7770]

@@8ofwands300 I hear ya, but you can't give doubt an inch or you're done. This is a fact no matter what age anyone is.. think about it, most of our lives, we're told we're either too young or too old or too this or too that.. can't buy into any of that. It's noise.

[@Johanthegnarler]

​​@@8ofwands300I've actually faced ageism on both fronts. In person and on paper. I'm 41, but I look very young in a field that doesn't respect older employees. I've had senior leadership tell me multiple times I'm not going to get an opportunity or raise because of my age directly in private. I am a top performer, but even then it doesn't matter. I watch top performers remain unemployed for years at a time regardless of skill set and job demand

[@RobertBrown-pb5zw]

​@@allpraisetothemosthigh7770 Well go talk to the hiring mgrs and tell them this. You live in la la land!

[@shishirpandey42]

Hang in there buddy! Things will get better.

[@AgeBlocked]

I'm always keen to keep moving and trying new things. No time to feel sorry for myself.

[@christopherort2889]

Your best bet is to keep your skillset growing and expanding as your career grows.

[@AgeBlocked]

That has only worked until a certain age, then it doesn't matter how qualified you are I find.

[@Awake129]

Hang in there friend, im guessing retrenched translates to laid-off where im from. Im 51 and work in the trades. So i know the wall is coming for me. Good luck to you friend

[@AgeBlocked]

Good luck to you too, and yes retrenched is another word for laid-off.

[@Runningfromtheherd]

Take coding classes and any classes you can find on AI. Best of luck. I would most certainty hire you. You give an impression of trustworthiness, intelligence and the ability to work unsupervised. I'm subscribing.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks for subscribing! I have probably 10+ years working from home which does teach you to work independently and unsupervised. It is a mindset though, as it is all too easy to slack off and watch TV, which is what I'm sure a lot of people do and give working at home a bad rep.

[@borderlord]

Loving the Birdsong!

[@AgeBlocked]

I'm happy that someone enjoyed it lol

[@briandrexler7627]

I am the reverse. I was 47 when my company of 23 yrs decided to outsource my entire department to Chennai India. They kept only 20 people to train the Indians on how to do our work. It was a disaster from what I heard. I was a telecom engineer converting old TDM to VoIP. That was 5 yrs ago. Folks they kept were the usual butt kissers none had actual certifications or training just blind luck and party planning. What I found discouraging was after COVID I could not get back into Telecom. I suddenly became overqualifed but not enough experience to be a Director or manager even with a MBA and experience and certifications. I am now a Middle School teacher. I teach Computer Science and coding in Java and Python. It's rewarding but pay is terrible. What I still have a hard time coming to terms with is that here I was a younger man (47) with knowledge, skills, degrees, and certifications to be replaced by older work force one held a GED and rest no degrees or certs at all just luck.... Just a idea, you could try teaching?

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes I came to the sad realization that companies don't care how knowledgeable you are, what they care about is how cheap you are. Those overseas support call centers are terrible. The company ticks all the boxes on providing the service from overseas, it's just low quality at low pay.

[@UnitedCorporationsOfAmerica]

I worked in telecom for 15 years. I tapped out in 2017 and got a job stocking shelves at the grocery store for low wages.

[@daffyduk77]

Slightly similar experience here. I found that in IT (software development) technologies would mutate & change. If you have a computer science degree (like millions seem to in India) you're better placed to continue in IT or replace those who, like me, didn't have that

[@daffyduk77]

@@UnitedCorporationsOfAmerica Done that for 6 months. At least it was a full-time, not temporary, job, so some security

[@teakey]

Sorry to hear Mate

[@AgeBlocked]

It is what it is. I just move on with new ideas.

[@JamesKerr-z4o]

I hope things improve for you, I’m well over 50 and I guess it may happen to me soon.

[@AgeBlocked]

Things were going fine for me until I got retrenched at 58. Things went quickly downhill after that.

[@Peter-pe6pp]

New here and sorry to hear about your troubles. Is there anything you would do differently ( in hindsight) with regards to Retirement Planning? Also at what age do you plan to 'retire' by choice and how do you plan to live then?

[@AgeBlocked]

My current plan is to work til I die. No retirement for me, unless i get lucky and win the lottery or such! As for plans, I wish I picked a different trade in which I could run my own business.

[@Peter-pe6pp]

@@AgeBlocked Running your own biz is still an option. You might just think of something you could do in the same line or another. If you get some contract work to do from home that might be a start. Sometimes even a hobby or other skill can provide opportunities. My neighbour was laid off by a hotel but went on to become a yoga instructor . She had to get certified which she did.

[@AgeBlocked]

I met a young unemployed lady at the dog park who makes an income from shopify of all things, selling girly stuff. That sounds like a dream to me, but coming up with the idea for an older male is a real blocker for me since older men don't impulse buy generally.

[@BayouRepairGuy]

I started my own company to have a good job

[@AgeBlocked]

That's my current strategy too

[@paulacollins8327]

Good luck to you sir! Any side hustles, online market research? Dog walker?

[@AgeBlocked]

Currently doing 5 hours a week max maintaining a website. It's not nearly enough, but it's better than nothing. What is an online market research job?

[@paulacollins8327]

@@AgeBlocked search Internet for paid research surveys, side hustles. For jobs, don't be too specific, easier to find a job when in one, you're looking for income not a career, check local council, university, government websites directly,

[@paulacollins8327]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIrVlnSNbNyZe8ksi=8EnXqZqd_z0CT8Pm

[@AgeBlocked]

Thank you!

[@Luci.589]

I started selling on eBay, it wasn’t my plan to turn it into a full time job, it just happened. I find great stuff at recycling centres and thrift stores to flip on eBay.

[@AgeBlocked]

That's a great idea. Might as well make money from it, that's all the thrift store is doing too.

[@daffyduk77]

"retrenchment" - strange term for redundancy. My IT job went to India effectively in 2002, After a number of temporary jobs, I ended up in a supermarket's huge warehouse, they trained me as a forklift operator when I was 52. It was not so easy to pick it up, & do the work quickly & safely, but when they dispensed with me 8 years later, the skill allowed me to get another job which saw me through to an early retirement. I had paid my mortgage off & savings & self-employment part-time got me through to my state pension plus useful private pension top up. You could try learning a skill like F.L.T. with a course you'd pay for. At times here in the UK, the state will pay towards it. If you find you're a natural & it's easy for you, then with that confidence you could get some job mobility & extra chances.There might be chances to use IT skills in a self-employed scenario, solving problems with peoples' laptops etc. You'd have to be in or near a city for that really.

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes that is a word they use here. I didn't realize no one else in the world knows that word haha Yes I''m trying my hand at the self-employed thing now.

[@patland1762]

Wish I got "retrnchment pay". Became disabled all of a sudden and became unemployed while in the hospital. Got a big nothing and after 28 years not so much as a card or a goodbye. Wishing you luck. I now make some money selling on ebay which is kind of funny after 37 years of tech but at least I am my own boss, can work to the extent I am able and my "job" ends when I say so. Wishing you all the best.

[@AgeBlocked]

That's really low do make you unemployed while in hospital. What type of support is that? You deserve to work for someone better, like yourself!

[@jodylarson4697]

Even if you are pursuing different lines of work, you can still continue to apply for programming jobs. I'm sure that after 6 years it's very discouraging, but many companies (at least in the U.S.) hire people on contract. I think you said you've had some short-term work like this. It's possible to put together a decent income working a few different jobs---I know because I have done it. I'd like to see you be more positive. That can help with interviews, "marketing," and so on. It looks like you live in a beautiful place, for example. Best of luck to you! Don't give up---try everything!

[@AgeBlocked]

That's my plan too, to have several part time jobs. At the moment that's about 5 hours a week. I'm trying to find more businesses that could use my services.

[@donaldlunquist5017]

Have yoy ever thought of becoming a plumer or electrician. Tte last time i called for one it cost me $300.00 for fifteen munites of his time.

[@AgeBlocked]

Over here, you need to be trained as an apprentice for a number of years, who is usually a school leaver. Not sure if I'm up for crawling around in roofs and such at my age!

[@TimothyStclair-v4p]

Companies always make up crap/bogus reasons to discharge a person.

[@AgeBlocked]

That's a fact.

[@TimothyStclair-v4p]

@@AgeBlocked To tell you the truth and I'm not a conspiracy person just an observational person. If you notice there is a concerted effort around the world of dismissing/discharging human beings in every form of work. Something is going on here. You don't see a wholesale of dismissals like this nor a rise in prices on every product especially when there are fewer people employed to pay wages and benefits to. I'm beginning to think maybe there is such a thing as a NWO. Everything was normal in the 60s and 70s, but beginning in the 1980s there was a shift from demand/supply market to manipulation market. Something is wrong and it is all ARTIFICIALLY INDUCED.

[@AgeBlocked]

The big wake up call for me was learning how the food industry really works. It started making me think if all industries are the same.

[@deschua76]

That’s why I became financially free and stopped working at age 45!!

[@AgeBlocked]

Please share how you obtained that?

[@deschua76]

@@AgeBlocked living below my means, saving and investing for passive income

[@AgeBlocked]

If you mean selling online, yes I know a few people doing that doing well.

[@deschua76]

@@AgeBlocked Huh??!! No, I meant I saved a tonne of money over many years by living frugally and then investing my savings into dividend stocks that pays me recurring passive income! Many people around me, especially folks in the West are living beyond their means buying unnecessary material goods and that’s why they have to work until the day they drop dead. I don’t pity them as they are reaping what they sowed…

[@deschua76]

@@AgeBlocked No, I meant that I saved tonnes of money over many years by living frugally and then investing the money that I saved, into dividend paying stocks which then gave me recurring passive income! Many people cannot stop working because they are spending too much money on material wants. These people deserve what they get as they are reaping what they sowed!

[@tarawhite4419]

Don't worry I've been unemployed 20 yrs it'll be fine

[@AgeBlocked]

I've learned not to worry about what I can't control. But still, it's hard not to think about providing for the future.

[@yellowbird5411]

You must have started your own business then? Or did you find someone to take care of your finances for you? I wish it were possible to live without being employed.

[@jenny-DD]

No one is unemployed when u have the oldest job in history

[@jenny-DD]

​@@yellowbird5411 drugs will make you think all sorts of things

[@victorsatago3366]

Unemployed for 8 years now and it's okay.

[@UnitedCorporationsOfAmerica]

Age is literally the most important aspect of the US job market. A drooling 25 year old will land a job before a competent, capable age 45. It's pathetic.

[@AgeBlocked]

Sad, but true

[@keithparker1346]

Let's not knock the young. There are competent youngsters out there

[@UnitedCorporationsOfAmerica]

@keithparker1346 A few. But we're supposed to pretend that younger people are simply smarter, and that's absolutely untrue.

[@keithparker1346]

@@UnitedCorporationsOfAmerica I've worked with teens and twentysomethings they are as clever and as stupid as us older people. Knocking the young is NOT going to help us older people get jobs

[@UnitedCorporationsOfAmerica]

@@keithparker1346 They get what they give.

[@marcmeinzer8859]

Once I got good and fed up not only with teaching but also with the merchant marine I realized that it was time to go to barber college to prepare for my old fogey job. Because men prefer older barbers. Then also barbers have perhaps the highest rate of self employment of any occupation outside of farming or lobster fishing. This worked out well although barbering can be quite demanding especially when your shop is packed with customers waiting in the guest chairs. And it’s not an option for a good barber to tell people who are waiting that it’s time for your lunch break. If you need a lunch break then keep a cold pepperoni pizza in the back room and excuse yourself for a moment between cuts to wolf down a slice to refresh yourself. I’d rather give up my lunch breaks than be unemployed so that’s not an unreasonable trade off. This is more workable if you’re a veteran with VA health coverage which is free simply to have their card. Then if you’re not service related disabled you simply get billed for any visit or procedure but at much reduced rates as compared to private medicine.

[@AgeBlocked]

How do you find the standing still on your back? Yes, I prefer to go to the older barber too, not because of the age, but I like to get my hair cut with scissors rather that with a shaver cause it looks bad after a few weeks.

[@marcmeinzer8859]

@@AgeBlocked Barbering never bothered my back at all. The most haircuts I ever did in one day was probably 43. Working in blue collar discount barbershops I could complete the average haircut in 15 minutes using a combination of clipper blades and shears, which is the correct term for the barber’s scissors. Properly trained barbers can switch between clippers and shears depending on the length and the zone of the haircut. The clippers are used for anything shorter than 3/8ths of an inch and the shears are used with finger work to work on the longer sections of the haircut higher up on the head. Plastic spacers can be clamped atop the triple zero blade to extend the hair length out to an entire inch or even more while tapering. Older barbers tend to avoid finger work and cut with shears over comb since they typically don’t like to touch the customer’s hair with their fingers or to wet the hair down for working on longer styles. I learned both techniques because I was trained by a dually licensed woman barber who was also a hairdresser. Barbering isn’t really very strenuous unless you get stuck doing haircuts without a break for extended periods. Some haircuts can be completed in as little as five minutes such as buzz cuts using just one #2 blade which is a quarter inch. If you don’t mind doing shaves and get used to shaving customers with multi blade safety razors it actually becomes easier to just do shaves as much as possible. Shaves were so easy for me that I could complete a shave in less than 10 minutes and would only charge $7 right before I retired 8 years ago.

[@AgeBlocked]

Nice information there. I just preferred the shears so they could layer, and my hair kept its shape for longer. I don't get my hair cut really short. Thank you for sharing.

[@davidlindburg1921]

Retrenched 43rd birthday, 800 applications for 5 interviews and 3 job offers. Hard to take at the time but with a lot of luck got a better job. Today, globally, feel we're on the eve of a new Great Depression, expect economy will worsen nearer to Christmas - is what it is.

[@AgeBlocked]

Glad to hear you got a job. I would try and prepare for some alternate income... just in case.

[@nesadcruz7840]

My first time on your channel . I like your channel name . Am not in your situation though I am not much younger as I ran my own biz but I can relate as an older person and have seen this happen to others. I am not clear how you lost your house. Was it due to not being able to make Mortgage payments due to job loss? How long were you unemployed after the lay off ? When you sold the house did you make a profit vs your purchase price ? At 49, I am just thinking the house must have been quite a bit paid down (unless it was a recent purchase) and what was your Financial status with regards to the Mortgage from the sale? Did the proceeeds just go to the bank or did you get a good sum back? Hope you dont mind me asking . I think If you did more videos on this topic or explain it will help us get a clearer picture.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks for your feedback! If you watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/moLGooGgadGUrNE (Part 1), then Part 2 it explains most of your questions about the house.

[@myobee9875]

The algorithm showed me your videos. You need to make an effort get over what happened to you for your own good. It is clearly causing you sadness. Don't take it personally, as this is how (foolish) people do business. I'm sorry that it's cost you, but I believe that it actually costs them or the company as much or more. Keep on looking for a job or an opportunity that you like. Even a job that's not paying what you used to make but that pays the bills and makes you happy would be a good thing. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[@AgeBlocked]

It's probably effected me as I'm not as perky as I used to be. But I don't honestly think about it much, I'm far more focused on trying lots of different things to earn income.

[@ad6417]

I was laid off from a major healthcare provider back in January. They laid off 10% of the work force and back filled our roles with DEI and offshore. We got 4 months of severance pay. I also cashed out my 401k and bought physical gold with it. I was actually only out of work 2 months before I got another job and it pays me 40% more than I made previously. Just like what you described, the new CEO they brought in is to make the company attractive for an acquisition because they are destroying the company with their diversity people. I don't even know if they offer services anymore other than just posting pictures of diversity events on LinkedIn.

[@AgeBlocked]

Many companies seem to be using their position to abuse their political beliefs. Very bad way to manage a company in my opinion.

[@fancymcclean6210]

Sorry to hear of your plight, mate. Employers are shit. You have to work for your self. Good luck. Flaxen Saxon.

[@AgeBlocked]

Yep that is my plan. It's going really slow though.

[@michaelsonsarmiento5943]

this is why australia is becoming a poor country fast. Rich countries are meritocracies.

[@AgeBlocked]

Pretty sure this is how it has worked here for decades. It leads itself to ageism?

[@7779-c3m]

(Woodside Energy Group Ltd (WDS) In the past 12 months, WDS has paid $1.55 billion in taxes. Effective Tax Rate 48.30% Government welfare expenditure in Australia. In 2021-22, government spending on welfare services and payments was $212.4 billion.Jul 5, 2024. Sounds like Your living in A Communism idea Society 😭☹

[@lindc1070]

I am sorry for those in your situation. For those younger try to make sure you are financially prepared to be laid off or stop working due to medical reasons , anytime after 50. When you are young, set up different streams of income, passive income , pick up skills that will enable you to start your own biz or do a side hustle. A friend of mine who was retrenched had baking skills and was able to launch a successful home based biz that over 2 years grew and expanded. Now she has staff helping her from a commercial space. My husband and I invested in real estate so we were ready to retire by 45. Now in our 50s we live on passive income.

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes I'm trying to start my own business, going through lots of different ideas. Unfortunately, houses being over a million here makes investing in property only available to young working couples.

[@lindc1070]

@@AgeBlocked I live in Singapore where housing is even more expensive than Oz so I understand. But here the govt provides subsidised studios for the above 55. So we are better off. Am glad you are looking into starting a biz. Meanwhile starting a KZbin channel was also wise. It may take sometime but once it is monetised it could be a good side hustle. I will sub and watch your videos. I like helping out small channels. Am watching cancer stricken youtuber who at 46 got laid off too due to disability related to cancer surgery. Unboxing Cancer with Me. Am hoping he can get monetised and you too. It certainly is harder when struck with these situations later in life, especially if one also has med, family commitments

[@AgeBlocked]

@lindc1070 Thank you so much for your help!

[@lindc1070]

@@AgeBlocked all the best. I look fwd to seeing your channel grow.

[@czg2012]

life is a journey. don't stop believin'

[@AgeBlocked]

Exactly!

[@scottjackson163]

I’ve been laid off three times since the age of 50. My average time back to work was 6 weeks. I’m 66 now and still working. If I get laid off again, I’ll be grateful for “the package” and retire. Maybe I’ll start a KZbin channel.

[@AgeBlocked]

The work environment is nothing like what it used to be. Uncertainty everywhere.

[@scottjackson163]

@@AgeBlocked The uncertainty that worries me most pertains to the stock market. There is really no point in saying “I have “x” saved for retirement.” “X” - whatever amount that number represents- is merely vapor in a declining market. You actually don’t have any invested money “saved.” You have a certain amount on the roulette wheel.

[@AgeBlocked]

Yeah, my super took a massive nose-dive thanks to the decline in the stock market.

[@Roberto-ey6vd]

It's not that bad. You can take early retirement or cash in your pension. Also do volunteer work many charity shops are good .

[@AgeBlocked]

Unfortunately, I can't take retirement until 67. But I won't stop trying to earn extra at that stage.

[@matthewmitchell68]

At 37, I’m going back to school….for your reasons!

[@VicDamoneJr82]

School is just a cope of the inevitable

[@ShaileeJ]

Don't give up. People get laid of at all ages. Believe in yourself.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks!

[@dennismaloney7241]

In my fifty-two year career, I was never laid off mainly because forty of it was working at the federal government as a pipefitter in defense, interior and veterans administration aka, 'CLUBFED'.

[@AgeBlocked]

Haha Nice term for it.

[@lasurfette7830]

I just got laid off for the second time within a year. I tried to work through breast cancer in 2023. 😞

[@AgeBlocked]

Don't you just love the humanity of it all? I hope your life improves for the latter part of the year and 2025.

[@gybx4094]

In the USA right now, they're begging for older workers who have a work ethic. I was laid off at age 50 during the Great Recession of 2008. I took at least a dozen jobs for cash flow until I found another good job at age 55. Then I retired at 62 during COVID. Now I'm retired with a simple part time job for fun.

[@AgeBlocked]

Nice! No one is begging here for older workers. I haven't had anyone on linkedin message me for ages. 5 years ago it was maybe 3-4 times a week. What part time job are you doing?

[@chrisinselwyn]

A few years ago we went through a few company restructures i saw the writing on the wall. The management were complaining about how much i was paid (not to my face of course). So i set up my own company and started acquiring customers when i was ready after a round of redundancies i just left. Thing for me was that when i wanted to leave the first time i had a lot of trouble finding a new job with all the standard responses, we can't pay that much, we are really looking for some one from a competitors company, you have to much experience, your experience is too specialised, we are looking for someone younger that we can mould. (I'm only in my mid 40s). Most places don't even respond to applications, the ones that do are just looking to make people jump through hoops until they give up. It feels like no one actually wants any employees any more and they are only advertising to keep the employees they have that are over worked and under paid from leaving while promising they are trying to get more people to spread the load.

[@AgeBlocked]

Makes you wonder doesn't it? I get the same from LinkedIn. I used to get calls/messages a lot, but once my age comes up, I get the "Oh we don't care about your age" talk, but they never ring back. I really hate to be left hanging. A simple you were unsuccessful would be good enough for me.

[@kathrinkrajnak9959]

I live in Las Vegas. Most of my co-workers are 60+

[@AgeBlocked]

What job do you have in Las Vegas?

[@54andBored]

Well i hope KZbin doesn't go down because many will be devastated!

[@AgeBlocked]

Won't be me!

[@timstevens3361]

ya im a cnc machinist in new india (canada) im 62 n many companies still want old machinists bcus of exp.

[@AgeBlocked]

Glad to hear you have some job stability there. Hope it continues

[@7779-c3m]

Dont give up , What do you love to do?Look there for a Business idea , I have 3 small Business , And i love working on all 3, Iam a 61 year young Man. KZbin is NOT one,

[@AgeBlocked]

Can I ask what your businesses are roughly?

[@TheOtomo]

I am your age and I am finding that nobody cares. Start your own business, get on the government dole, or get your family to support you while you grow tomatoes.

[@AgeBlocked]

Indeed, the common theme is to do your own business and that is exactly what I am trying to do (including KZbin)

[@mr.miniaturesmodels8465]

8:00 -By this time, your audio is so drowned out by the zoo you’ve chosen to record within I couldn’t listen any further. Good luck to you, though. 👍

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks for the heads up. Birds here in Australia are the noisiest i've encountered on my travels. Lucky it wasn't cockatoos as you would not have heard me at all. Not sure i can fix that up now, but will try and make better audio.

[@palmvegas7878]

You might find interesting a movie called “company men”

[@AgeBlocked]

I've seen that a while ago. I should watch it again!

[@LeonaRasalas]

Glad you suggested that movie. I have not seen it and will look it up. It sounds interesting.

[@Davejust451]

Why didn't management tell the employee? ans, This is before now.

[@AgeBlocked]

They didn't care, that's for sure.

[@DanRich01]

I never knew ageism exists although in good health the company discontinued my employment when the finaly merged into the new company. No reason was given and received a golden hand shake. In six months I was replaced by a younger candidate.

[@AgeBlocked]

Really makes you feel like you have no purpose doesn't it?

[@DanRich01]

@@AgeBlocked Our unemployment is very high in S.A. Yes I feel very hopeless and frustrated but as Churchill said "never never give up"

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes! I don't plan on giving up.

[@Odisej1]

Interesting topic BUT please work on your audio in the videos. The sound quality is terrible. The background noise is too loud.

[@AgeBlocked]

Working on it

[@couloir1]

To all the young people....ageism is real. Be so good at your skill they can't get rid of you otherwise start a side hustle that is scalable so if you do get laid off you can turn your side hustle into a full time job. Another option is to invest wisely be it real estate and/or stocks/etf. If you have FU money then ageism is no longer an issue.

[@cynthiagibson6793]

That bird is sounding the alarm

[@AgeBlocked]

A lot of people have mentioned this and I only noticed when I played back the video. I'm so used to the noise here. Will be mindful of that next time.

[@cynthiagibson6793]

@@AgeBlocked I thought it was funny 😁 😂 😀

[@vijayaragavan440891]

trust me mate, the person who set u up will face his karma for punishing a good soul... you will be alright!

[@AgeBlocked]

My 2nd retrenchment unfortunately I bump into him every so often. I got angry at him the first time I saw him and told him off. Then I stopped being angry as I didn't want to keep dwelling on it.

[@lindawilson795]

It is shameful that the boss treated you so poorly.😮

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes I can only talk about this years later as I was very upset the time it happened.

[@VicDamoneJr82]

I’m sure this wasn’t the first time … corporate politics is standard to do back biting

[@bigears4014]

If your health is good get out and enjoy yourself , go fishing , a bush walk, tram ride , anything to fill your day. Just think positively that you don't have to work till your 70

[@AgeBlocked]

I need to get something sorted soon. Don't want to spend all my savings haha. But yes I take my dog out for 2-3 hours daily, which I enjoy.

[@kimwaldron2606]

I know someone who lied about his age to get a job under the table. That's the way to go.

[@AgeBlocked]

Might have to end up doing that too

[@gigisummer109]

Does retrenched mean sacked?

[@AgeBlocked]

It's the term they use here for laid off or redundant.

[@oscargrainger2962]

Your burglar alarm is going off.😅

[@streaming5332]

You can resign as executor of a will. If there are siblings who want to do it let them but being at the behest of someone else is worse.

[@AgeBlocked]

It does kinda stress you out for months. And no one offered. It's just expected as I'm the oldest.

[@chrissheppard5068]

There must be a special place in hell for a CEO who takes over to smash the lads for a pay off.

[@AgeBlocked]

No wonder they have a reputation for being narcissists.

[@DJ-vj4vi]

Don't give up. You should consider changing careers.

[@AgeBlocked]

I am kinda. I'm using my own experience for starting my own business.

[@chrism1102]

I'm curious, when can you start collecting social security? Do you have an early option at 62? If so, take that and continue to work. Don't wait until you're 67.

[@AgeBlocked]

I asked last year, they won't put me on until I'm 67.

[@chrism1102]

@@AgeBlocked Maybe you can try going the disability route? If you can't stand for 8 hours a day, for example. You'll need your doctor to give you documentation to file a claim though..and it takes 2 years. LOL

[@AgeBlocked]

I'm not disabled. I could go on about my eyesight I guess, but then they might take my driving license away

[@chrism1102]

@@AgeBlocked That's good. Sounds like you still have a strong back etc. You might want to focus your job search on companies owned by the 50+ crowd. That's how I found my current job. I work for a small company owned by a husband and wife. Both in their 60s. I didn't seem old to them. I've been working there for a good 5 years now. They love my availability and work ethic. It's been a dream job so a definite win/win all around.

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes same. My 5 hour a week job is with an older lady business owner.

[@davidbernard7256]

Are you working now?

[@AgeBlocked]

Just 5 hours a week for the last year. So not really.

[@johnballard6725]

Not matter how good you are expect to be laid off or made redundant at least three times in your working life.

[@AgeBlocked]

I haven't started on the ones that happened when I was younger. Another topic idea!

[@eliotness4029]

what is happening to you if you drink too much or smoke

[@AgeBlocked]

...

[@ananda_miaoyin]

This is becoming an increasing problem in the world. I see so many old people working base jobs now it ain't even funny. I get nauseous thinking about ever doing an interview again with a bunch of twenty somethings in line with me....Jesus. I try to follow my old master's advice about the stages of life: You spend 20 years as child, 20 as a householder, 20 learning the Ways and the rest of your life teaching them. With the breadth of your experience and knowledge, maybe you could make training videos and sell them on teaching platforms like UDEMY and what not. I am an older telecom dork and could easily put together a curriculum that would teach from magneto ringdown and stepper pulse switches to dense wave division multiplexing and VoIP. You are a programmer? These new "kids" should know everything from vacuum tube logic, 8086 architecture and the OSI model to the latest and greatest quantum computer shit (that I do not know anything of) before they write their first line of code! And pay a few bucks for it.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks for the idea. I will have to think of something that younger people won't touch. Like Cobol as there are already a number of really good courses on the popular languages.

[@ad6417]

I'm a consultant and my site manager is probably 20 years younger than me. She's a complete idiot. And a toxic feminist to boot. But I keep reminding myself how much money they're paying me an hour to sit and listen to her vent about how much she hates the devops manager.😂

[@grwood]

Don't worry mate, everyone gets laid off from work, couple of times in their life. I've noticed in my work, that millennials can send about 500 messages a minute on phones and computers, every generation adapts new technology almost intantly. Try asking friends and relatives for some casual work, or try a new field, there always work in logistics and some trades.

[@AgeBlocked]

Thanks! Trying different things for sure.

[@walsakaluk1584]

Do you have transferable skills or bespoke knowledge?

[@AgeBlocked]

Not the type of skills people want to hear about. My 5hr a week part time job atm is maintaining a website.

[@walsakaluk1584]

@@AgeBlocked that 5 hr per week...can you get more clients like that?

[@AgeBlocked]

@walsakaluk1584 I am trying to do that. It is proving to be difficult due to the economy, or my marketing skills suck. Probably a bit of both.

[@walsakaluk1584]

@@AgeBlocked personal marketing is hard. Advertising and spending time in bars to drum up business doesn't work for doers only sellers... odd bunch, always pissed. Referrals are one of the best ways to market but you're depending on your client to do that. How did you find the client you have? Do that again.

[@AgeBlocked]

The last few casual gigs I've found have all been from Facebook community pages.

[@all4mom-xv1hp]

The bird, though.

[@AgeBlocked]

Lesson learned, no more filming outside unless it's in a quiet area.

[@walsakaluk1584]

You didn't mention a spouse or children so I assume you are single. Trying to start businesses that bleed money isn't sustainable... you are more aware than others how that's biting. Do you rent, have a mortgage or do you own your home outright? Do you have any savings at all? How do you eat if you have no income? Depending on the answers to these questions you may be a prime candidate for emigration to Asia, Eastern Europe or South America. Have you considered becoming a "passport bro"?

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes, I have a wife. I have tried to start several Saas websites (subscription websites), but my marketing is terrible. My wife does earn an income but it's not enough and we are going backwards having to rely on my savings which wont last long. Moving overseas is one of the things on my mind right now. Australia is a VERY expensive place to live if you don't own your house.

[@walsakaluk1584]

@@AgeBlocked have you cashed out your Supa yet?

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes. I had to to pay the bills. Its considerably less after covid hit.

[@Basman59]

@@AgeBlockeddo not come here I did at 50 it’s brutal ageism - there are plenty of people with masters degrees in accounting and engineering with experience driving for Uber et al. I’ve made mistakes in my life this was colossal in 2010. Having experience in the USA, UK, and OZ all three are dreadful for older chaps.

[@tancreddehauteville764]

@@AgeBlocked Move to Thailand or Philippines. Cheap there.

[@TheMoneyMakingMentor]

I was laid off at 59 and then 61.

[@AgeBlocked]

Sorry to hear that. Have you obtained work now?

[@LoveCoffee123]

that brid. that was that dude who set you up coming back to haunt this video

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes very noisy. I will try not to record that next time.

[@gregorychalmers2466]

Globalism is a big cause of this. Keep going and try to remain positive

[@AgeBlocked]

I try not to think about it too much

[@JasonVictorEverett]

You can always bring a claim for age discrimination, if you think that’s what’s going on.

[@skyblazeeterno]

Probably would be almost impossible to prove

[@mrbHanoi]

A low paying job without good benefits. is never a long term solution.

[@AgeBlocked]

Hopefully I can get a collection of part-time jobs to make it a good income collectively.

[@mrbHanoi]

@@AgeBlocked good strategy

[@dallassegno]

Teach

[@darrell7847]

Do you like kids? Perhaps you could be a substitute teacher....The pay is OK, and you can choose the days you would like to work.

[@AgeBlocked]

I think over here, I will have to go to uni to get qualified, don't quote me on that. And the cost of getting qualifications here is ridiculously high. I would need to work for years just to pay back the cost of education.

[@milosjeremic7970]

I love fakness of the Western world where they are loud about equal rights,no age discrimination ans so on ,but in reality it is totally opposite.Total hypocracy and fake narative.

[@AgeBlocked]

Yes, you can make whatever laws you like, but you can't suppress what people are thinking,

[@MRkriegs]

They are fake because they don't want any of the anti discrimination stuff but they legally have to. Like if I was forced to smile all day, a bunch of the time it would be a fake smile.

[@gautumb]

let's do a business

[@AgeBlocked]

What type of business do you do?