In Japan, age discrimination sets in around 35 if you are male, somewhat earlier (30) if you are female. There are many reasons for this, but the main reason is that often salaries are tied to age, as opposed to experience, performance, etc. So companies are reluctant to hire older individuals (mid-career changers) because it creates the "conundrum" where they must pay them more than someone younger who has been with the company longer. It sucks, but that is the reality of the place, and the current global economic crisis, combined with Japan's own economic issues (huge debt, nuclear crisis, etc.) doesn't make it easy.
So, here I am, slightly older than 35 and dealing with the reality of age discrimination. I have been struggling to find work, especially full-time employment, and it hasn't been easy. This is ridiculous (from my perspective) because obviously I am too young to retire and start drawing a pension (social security benefits), yet I am too "old" to find permanent employment or even contract work of any sort.
So, I feel pretty fucked right now, trying to solve what seems to be "unsolvable" puzzle. Suing is not an option because: 1) age discrimination cases are the most difficult cases to prove, 2) Suing is an expensive and slow option to take in Japan. That said, suing is off the table. However, I am still looking for ideas and/or solutions.
I am sure this phenomenon is not only limited to Japan. I can imagine companies in the U.S. being reluctant to hire older workers for the same (economic) reasons: they can get younger people for cheap (assuming that they are hiring at all). So, I am also curious as to whether any of you have experienced/are experiencing age discrimination and how you dealt with it.
I'm not above fudging my resume (I think it's my college graduation date that gives me away), however my age would soon become known by any company hiring me and wanting to enroll me in the social insurance system--so not an option, methinks.
Thanks...
So, here I am, slightly older than 35 and dealing with the reality of age discrimination. I have been struggling to find work, especially full-time employment, and it hasn't been easy. This is ridiculous (from my perspective) because obviously I am too young to retire and start drawing a pension (social security benefits), yet I am too "old" to find permanent employment or even contract work of any sort.
So, I feel pretty fucked right now, trying to solve what seems to be "unsolvable" puzzle. Suing is not an option because: 1) age discrimination cases are the most difficult cases to prove, 2) Suing is an expensive and slow option to take in Japan. That said, suing is off the table. However, I am still looking for ideas and/or solutions.
I am sure this phenomenon is not only limited to Japan. I can imagine companies in the U.S. being reluctant to hire older workers for the same (economic) reasons: they can get younger people for cheap (assuming that they are hiring at all). So, I am also curious as to whether any of you have experienced/are experiencing age discrimination and how you dealt with it.
I'm not above fudging my resume (I think it's my college graduation date that gives me away), however my age would soon become known by any company hiring me and wanting to enroll me in the social insurance system--so not an option, methinks.
Thanks...