-pops- Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 In another thread http://www.windowsforum.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=15925 I mentioned that I had applied at my local community centre to teach the over 50's about computers.I went down there this morning to see how things were and was told that I had not been approved to do the teaching. On enquiring as to why, I was told that I was too old :huh: How come?? Well after recovering from the shock of this statement and asking for an explanation I was then told by a slip of a girl, who can't have been over twenty, that older people prefer someone younger to teach them :angry: I tried to point out that, being an older person myself, I would much prefer the knowledge and experience of someone like me than some whippersnapper fresh out of college. She wouldn't be persuaded.This is not as if I was expecting payment for this work - it is entirely voluntary and, obviously, I would have been giving up my own time to do it.They can now go and stick their head in the rear end of the first passing animal they see. :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Radfordin Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 The IT press has been full of stories/accounts of people finding that once you get to around 35+ you will find it very hard to change jobs or get a new one. Beyond 50 and the chances are even slimer.So much for all the age discrimination laws eh!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 In another thread http://www.windowsforum.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=15925 I mentioned that I had applied at my local community centre to teach the over 50's about computers.I went down there this morning to see how things were and was told that I had not been approved to do the teaching. On enquiring as to why, I was told that I was too old :huh:Â How come?? Well after recovering from the shock of this statement and asking for an explanation I was then told by a slip of a girl, who can't have been over twenty, that older people prefer someone younger to teach them :angry: I tried to point out that, being an older person myself, I would much prefer the knowledge and experience of someone like me and some whippersnapper fresh out of college. She wouldn't be persuaded.This is not as if I was expecting payment for this work - it is entirely voluntary and, obviously, I would have been giving up my own time to do it.They can now go and stick their head in the rear end of the first passing animal they see. :angry:Â :angry:Â :angry:Â :angry:Â :angry:I hope it's a VERY tight and unpleasant smelling rear end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 I agree with you on this one pops - this is incredibly screwed up. The problem though, I think, is generalization. Generally speaking (this obviously doesn't apply to this forum, we have plenty of very contributing 50+'s here, but I digress) older folks are less adept to using a computer than younger generations. Unfortunately, you were a victim of generalization, and I personally would look seriously into taking legal action, but that's just me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 what did you have to do to show them that you knew what you were doing? i might try it ive got loads of spare time might aswell use it.....although im 22 now so getting on abit :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackrat Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 Pops, being in the 50+ category myself I certainly would not settle for an answer like that, it is ageism.I would take the matter further.There is no way I would settle for an answer like that from anyone young or old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted January 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 The IT press has been full of stories/accounts of people finding that once you get to around 35+ you will find it very hard to change jobs or get a new one. Beyond 50 and the chances are even slimer.So much for all the age discrimination laws eh!?It's not even a job - it's voluntary work.I'll think about what to do when I've calmed down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 Pops, being in the 50+ category myself I certainly would not settle for an answer like that, it is ageism.I would take the matter further.There is no way I would settle for an answer like that from anyone young or old.I concur completely - I dunno where you're at pops - but here in the states, this is illegal even if it is volunteer work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 My wife attends an art class. The teacher was recently told that she could no longer be employed as she was over the age limit. The daft thing was that she did not actually take any pay from the school as such, she had a percentage of the weekly fees, after the hire of the class room had been paid for. The class discovered that a teacher was not actually required, and that they could continue hiring the room for an art club, and that of course the teacher could be a member of the club. Needles to say the club is now thriving. The members pay for the hire of the room, and continue to have a whip round for the teachers fee each week. In other words nothing has changed. 'Ain't life stupid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 I think you know -pops- that I'm doing an on-line course at Learndirect. I also pop into my local centre now and then and enquired about teaching with them, either in the centre or on-line. They thought it was a good Idea and wrote this down as one of my aims on completing my course. So, although I haven't actually applied, they didn't mention an age limit. :unsure:PS: forgot to say that I'm sorry to hear you were treated like this, I think its disgusting and its their loss to not have your knowledge available to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted January 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 I phoned the volunteer head of the centre a few minutes ago - I know her, she's about seventy. She was very sympathetic said that I'd not been approved not because of my age but, being a sometimes wheelchair user - I have been to the place in my wheelchair - they (the whippersnapper, paid by the council) didn't think I would be able to give my full dedication to the task.I'm not going to pursue this any further. I had a word with a lawyer neighbour and he says that because it's not paid employment, they can make any rules they want.I'm still not happy about it though and I shall make my feelings known to all the old bats, fogeys and other oldies of my acquaintance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohn Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 Surely that's discrimination, paid employment or not? Why wasn't you given the real reason in the first instance instead of being informed you are too old? I go into my local centre either by being pushed there in a wheelchair, (just a little too far to walk) or I go on my electric scooter and take it inside to park up then I can move around the desk without too much trouble on my own but with the aid of sticks.I still think its disgusting to treat you this way, even more so now we know the real reason. :angry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 See if you can get the local free paper in interested pops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted January 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 See if you can get the local free paper in interested pops.I may well do that, andsome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 That's typical. Totally agree to get the local papers involved and not only the free ones. There are laws regarding discrimination, and they include age and discrimination. The most recent one came into force covering access for the disabled (1st Oct, last) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don't ask Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 I'm too angry about this to reply coherently so I will just ... :shutup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel=UK= Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 I'm not going to pursue this any further. I had a word with a lawyer neighbour and he says that because it's not paid employment, they can make any rules they want.lets put it this way.... if a black/white person went in and they said no because your black/white im sure something could be done then. Discrimination is discrimination at the end of the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D4\/!d Posted January 17, 2005 Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 I'm not going to pursue this any further. I had a word with a lawyer neighbour and he says that because it's not paid employment, they can make any rules they want.I'm still not happy about it though and I shall make my feelings known to all the old bats, fogeys and other oldies of my acquaintance.fortunately pops, you have a double portion of empathy from us here. Wallow in that for a while :flowers: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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