Age discrimination?,

[beastmaster]

O.k. maybe I am being paranoid, but I was in correspondence with a company(by e-mail) I would really like to be with. The owner seemed interested. He asked me some questions, I answered them, and gave a short bio, I hesitated to put down my age(51)but did. I haven't heard from him since. I know it could be a hundred different things, but have a feeling it was my age. I am equal to most 25year olds, and in excellent condition. Any other,"old" climber ever feel they were discriminated because of their age?

 

[ropensaddle]

O.k. maybe I am being paranoid, but I was in correspondence with a company(by e-mail) I would really like to be with. The owner seemed interested. He asked me some questions, I answered them, and gave a short bio, I hesitated to put down my age(51)but did. I haven't heard from him since. I know it could be a hundred different things, but have a feeling it was my age. I am equal to most 25year olds, and in excellent condition. Any other,"old" climber ever feel they were discriminated because of their age?

Yes it is either that or because I am not bi-lingual:rant:

 

[ckliff]

All ya gotta do is read the thread on health ins. premiums. older ya get, the more ur gonna cost the company. bottom line. sorry. i'm only 49, but feeling it already.

 

[randyg]

At age 53, I too feel that I can out climb many 25 yr olds however, I'm well aware that my days are numbered. I have no where near the productive years ahead of me that most 25 yr olds do.

Health issues begin to surface more with advanced age as well, causing more time off for recovery from who knows what, along with higher medical insurance premiums...

I wonder if you could carry your own comp and health and liabilty insurance, and contract climb for this company? I'm assuming you have all your own gear? Just a thought.

 

[mckeetree]

O.k. maybe I am being paranoid, but I was in correspondence with a company(by e-mail) I would really like to be with. The owner seemed interested. He asked me some questions, I answered them, and gave a short bio, I hesitated to put down my age(51)but did. I haven't heard from him since. I know it could be a hundred different things, but have a feeling it was my age. I am equal to most 25year olds, and in excellent condition. Any other,"old" climber ever feel they were discriminated because of their age?

I have a part time (until recently full time) guy that is 58. He will out work anybody on the crew.

 

[pdqdl]

It is a violation of certain regulations to inquire of someones age on a job application form. It is equally wrong to ask someone their age in a job interview.

I can't quote which law, but I know it is true.

 

[Grace Tree]

It is a violation of certain regulations to inquire of someones age on a job application form. It is equally wrong to ask someone their age in a job interview.

I can't quote which law, but I know it is true.

You're completely correct but any HR person worth their salt can look at an employment application and figure your approximate age. HR generally knows what management is looking for.
When I was in my 50s I wanted to switch jobs and drive over the road for UPS. I had millions of safe driving miles and lifetime perfect attendance so I thought it would be a no brainer. I was told by someone in the company not to even bother applying. When I asked him why he told me I was too old. I thought he was kidding but he wasn't. 'Kind of shocked me.
Phil

 

[treemandan]

Next time lie. But to be honest a lot of guys look for young guys cause they will put up with more BS. I am 25, climb like I am 50, No one will hire me


No, I am 40.

 

[mbopp]

Let me give you a clue - it's not just climbing but every profession. "While you met all the job requirements, another applicant was selected." The tough part is proving age discrimination. BTW - I'm 56

 

[beastmaster]

I know there is laws against this sort of things, but I wouldn't pursue it even if I could, that just isn't me. Nor could I lie, though I've thought about it.(the gray hair would be a give away) I have a really good paying job now. No title, but I'm expected to be nursemaid over rest the crew and through default am responsible for everything. Its not where I want to be. Im up to date on the latest techniques and what not, but still old school that I'ed like to take some of those youngsters behind the shed give em some counseling.(no offense to young professionals) I want to stay in this industry, its all I know, but I guess I probably don't have a lot of years left but I'm far from washed. To quot George Jones"I Don't need no rocking chair".

 

[ropensaddle]

I know there is laws against this sort of things, but I wouldn't pursue it even if I could, that just isn't me. Nor could I lie, though I've thought about it.(the gray hair would be a give away) I have a really good paying job now. No title, but I'm expected to be nursemaid over rest the crew and through default am responsible for everything. Its not where I want to be. Im up to date on the latest techniques and what not, but still old school that I'ed like to take some of those youngsters behind the shed give em some counseling.(no offense to young professionals) I want to stay in this industry, its all I know, but I guess I probably don't have a lot of years left but I'm far from washed. To quot George Jones"I Don't need no rocking chair".

Yer geritol or yer frigidaire lmao

 

[BlackenedTimber]

FWIW, in the power industry, 90-percent or better of my best guys were over 40. Less issues with them showng up hung over, or not showing up at all, getting "sick" on fridays and mondays, and less know-it-all attitudes too. Plus, generally the geritol crews ( )knows what the F they are doing and dont have to be babysat, unlike the younger dudes.

Of course, that being said, I'm a young dude, too.

...And you older AS members K I C K A S S, and there's alot I have personally learned from all the great posts on here. No age discrimination here.

 

[Bermie]

Try being younger...;-) WITH silver hair AND a girl!!!

But seriously, I think unless people can actually see you work, the over 40, over 50 tag is generally discriminated against, it's a fact of life, sucks, because if someone has kept themselves fit, and is up to date with gear and technique and practice, do you think they'll cost a company more than a youngun that drinks and smokes and has girlfriend problems and talks on the cellphone all day...see I'll get a youngun chiming in 'we're not all like that' so why can't it work both ways, not all the over 40/50 gang are past it either!
You can get excellent staff in either age category!

 

[pdqdl]

Bermie: I would hire a girl with your experience for tree climbing any day. As we both know, it ain't about having a lot of strength.

In my experience, the girls come with fewer work related problems, less attitude, greater attention to detail, and better manners as well. Now for dragging brush, or bucking big logs up a hill... I might still have to stick with the guys.

 

[lego1970]

Damn, some of you guys are older then the dirt that the trees grow in:biggrinbounce2:


Were you guys the ones that planted those 4000 year old Bristlecone Pines up in the Sierra Nevada's? oke:


I'm just playing, since I'm on a keyboard hundreds of miles away drinking beer

 

[blueatlascedar]

I feel that age discrimination truly exists but often hard to prove. I actually discriminated the other way when I owned my tree service. I never hired anyone under 30 and often had men older than myself on my crew. I am 50 now and feel that our age group takes work ethics more serious and with a better attitude. Now I know younger guys can have the right attributes. I began tree care at age 21 after working a year in a saw mill and after getting out of the service. But IMO, work ethics have gone down hill with the younger ones. Sorry if anyone in the young bracket feels offended, this isn't my attempt to bash anyone, but just my opinion and observations from being in the active work force since 1976.

 

[Chris Crouse]

Age stuff always brings the Steppenwolf song "Move Over" to mind. Jobs are real hard to come by now and I reckon if you're not exactly what the hiring person considers their ideal candidate you are SOL. White males are the most discriminated against people in America anymore (as far as jobs are concerned at least)...

 

[blueatlascedar]

:agree2:

 

[tree MDS]

Lots of older guys can still kick ass!

Another thing to consider is with an older person they are less inclined to try and suck you dry and then "go out on their own". something to consider as well.

I'm starting to think an older employee might not be such a bad thing at all - admittedly I have descriminated in the past.. but I'm learning.

FWIW: old tree dogs rock!

 

[tree md]

I hired a guy to contract for me doing storm work who was 63. Met him here on this site. He was in great physical shape and good. My main groundy is 52. But he spent 16 years in the Army and would walk the floor with most 22 year olds. I am 41 myself so I guess I am part of the oldtimer crew now as well. Good thing I'm not looking for a job. I plan on climbing until I am 63 and beyond.