AP: Layoffs toughest on young, older workers

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20090906/D9AI1PMO1.html

By MIKE SCHNEIDER and ERRIN HAINES

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Marcus Wells and Shirley Walker view their economic prospects from opposite ends of the age spectrum.

Wells, 25, was initially optimistic about his prospects for finding a new job after he was laid off as a systems analyst in January in San Jose, Calif. Now unemployment has begun to wear on the him, and he believes his age has factored into his frustration.

"More experienced people are getting hired, and they're downgrading their skills to get the job," Wells said. "I feel like I'm competing with older workers, not college graduates. It wears on your confidence."

Walker, 58, lost her job running a nonprofit which helped minority women in business in Orlando and hasn't had any luck finding new work in the three months since.

"What they tell us is that they're looking for more mature and experienced workers, but they want us to work for less, or what they could pay younger people to do," she said recently outside an Orlando job fair. "Maybe younger people would be willing or able to accept lesser pay."

Would-be retirees have watched their savings dwindle and health care costs soar, while workers recently out of school and burdened by debt try to advance in careers that no longer have room for them.

FULL story at link.

the older, laid-off employees don't recover, particularly w/rising health care costs - the younger demographic generally doesn't have a mortgage or family, or the aging issues, and has the flexibility to relocate. It still stinks. I am in the oder-than-55-woman category. While this article speaks of the younger having to compete w/the older candidates for the same positions, may I add the fact that w/the state budget crisis here in NC, layoffs are occuring right and left at UNC-Chapel Hill. Believe me, it is tough being an "older woman" when there are younger employees across campus making demands on the administration (of which I am part)to offer "early retirement" for older workers, or "require" them to retire. On top of all this, the President of the UNC system has indicated to the chancellors at the 16 campuses that comprise the system that 900 administrative positons will be cut over the next two years. It is an uncomfortable atmosphere in which to work. But, I still have my job, and I am grateful.