It’s not that I haven’t been trying. I work with recruiters all day. I have been doing this since before the Pandemic began. I have extensive experience in IT management and Information Security at the Government and Corporate Level. I started a side business which, Baruch Hashem helped until the mandates forced many businesses to close. I ran my business as a registered business and ran it honestly. Even with SBA grants I could not keep it afloat.
After my extensive resume had been submitted, and gone on several interviews I was told, I was too “senior” (keep that in mind), or “over-qualified.” I now know the reason for these euphemistic and disingenuous conclusions. I went to Yeshivah and have a bachelor’s degree from a prestigious college as well as some Graduate studies.
In the meantime, through the effort of several Rabbonim, I was able to get a job in a local supermarket, earning enough money to almost get by. I am not proud and thoroughly enjoyed my work as a cashier, even though I had previously been employed in high visibility positions with the government and Fortune 500 companies for over five times of what I was being paid. I live in a very modest house, and we drive very modest cars. I planned to save my money for my kid’s tuition and weddings. Instead, that all went to pay the bills.
When my doctor advised me to temporarily leave the cashier job because of likely exposure to Covid, I legally took a leave of absence. Since I was able to collect PUA unemployment from my legitimate side business, I did not take a penny from the full-time employer although I had every right to.
When I tried to return to the job, I was told flat out, “because you are too old.”
When unemployment did their routine check to see if I was seeking employment, and would provide all the emails with recruiters, their customized versions of my resumes and contact information. They asked me about the supermarket employer. Had I tried to return to work? I told them that I had contacted them for months with no response. I had spoken to every manager, and they all told me they could not do anything to help me. Finally, I found out who was the decision maker and could not get a meeting with him at all. One day while shopping, I ran into him and approached him about the situation and he was the one that told me, “Because you are too old!”
The Department of Labor case worker was completely taken aback and said she was emailing me a form to fill out, explaining to me that what that person did was discrimination and against the law.
As a frum Jew, I was now in a dilemma. Should I pursue this case, as urged by the case worker or not. You see, even though I did not know this manager well, I believed it went against my religious observance to pursue the matter, and take it in stride that Hashem is my provider and I obey Him alone. So, I did not take it any further. Some of my former co-workers witnessed the conversation and were completely surprised and upset. They could not understand why I would not pursue this. They would even provide me with a lawyer at no charge.
What struck me was that my manager, for many years, had told me I was a role model for all the other cashiers and was complimented many times by customers, yet he was ignored by this person.
I had to close my small business, so I am seeking opportunities, any opportunity to make an honest Parnassa. I have applied to many businesses and was told they would get back to me only to never hear from them again or I would find out they hired someone in or from a foreign country.
I have contacted several organizations in Lakewood, and while they tried to be helpful, and I could see there were many jobs I would easily qualify for, I was not successful.
Many “seniors” in our community are also experiencing this same problem. It is a shame because they truly have a lot to offer.
Thank you for reading.
Shana Tova.
TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected]
The JSOR in Deal , NJ is looking to hire Seniors as Mashgiachim
Call 917-971-3941
Would like to see if help is possible. Please can you send an email with your cv to [email protected]
Thank you
This Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur I am planning to daven for you.
Food for Thought for everyone:
By the way, these days till Yom Kippur are special days, meaning, Hashem will answer our prayers faster and sooner.
Example: During the year if someone davens let’s say 100 times for a certain issue and he gets answered.
During these special days till Yom Kippur, Hashem may answer after 50 times.
maybe suing for discrimination is your “hishtadlus”??
Not if it is against Halacha, which it is.
Perhaps consider driving a school bus. There is great need and they will train you for free and help with the licensing. Additionally you get the zchus of bringing our children to learn Torah! It can also be a great side job..
I just said tehillim for you. I was literally crying. Such tzar!! Oy, Hashem should give you koach, and parnassah, quick!!!! I’m going to be having you in mind in my tefillos!
Take him to בית דין.
I’m not sure he can do that.
This letter makes no sense.
I go to plenty of stores and most judaica stores have really older men working there.
Except for a store that needs a younger guy to schlep, the majority have old men..like past retirement age.
Sounds like your looking for free money.
I find your comment totally insensitive, abhorrent and absolutely against Hashkafa and Halacha. If you do not have anything positive to offer this fellow Yid, the Mishna says to be silent. There are many works you can buy in those stores you go to and find out more about this fundamental Torah concept.
My dear fellow Yid. I would say to you that you should take your name “Sounds OFF” more seriously.
Pirkei Avot 1:17
Shimon, his son, (Rav Gamliel) used to say: all my days I grew up among the sages, and I have found nothing better for a person than silence.
Pirkei Avot 1:17
“Shimon, his son, (Rav Gamliel’s son), used to say: all my days I grew up among the sages, and I have found nothing better for a person than silence.
Besides, “Silent” has the same letters as “Listen”.
Very Well Said
All the Judaica stores have young random guys working the registers.
And if you’re so quick to bash him when he literally just gave you a whole explanation of everything he’s done to try to apply to as many jobs as possible, then you clearly have not had to search for a job in quite a long time. I’m in the same search and I’m young and no one wants to give me a job because the whole job sector in Lakewood has to be dominated by women, because apparently us young men with experience in our fields are not allowed to work here in Lakewood because we’re supposed to be in BMG.
had a similar situation. took a medi al leave and when i tried to get my old job back (which I had been at for 12 years) was told i was too old. owner was retiring and leaving the business ti his young nephews who wanted soemone younger in the spot. they are now looking for my 4th replacement. experince and quality should count, company wants your loyalty but they are not loyal to you
did you approach any of the askanim or vaad members for assistance? they are always very helpful.
Yes.
כתיבה וחתימה טובה
I find your comment totally insensitive, abhorrent and absolutely against Hashkafa and Halacha. If you do not have anything positive to offer this fellow Yid, the Mishna says to be silent. There are many works you can buy in those stores you go to and find out more about this fundamental Torah concept.
Rambam on Mishneh Torah, Gifts to the Poor 10:7
The greatest level that has nothing above it is to strengthen the hand of a Jew who has become poor and give him a gift or loan or create a partnership with him or make up some work for him, so as strengthen his hand until he does not [any longer] need to ask others [for help]. And about this it is said (Leviticus 25:35), “and you shall strengthen the hand of a stranger and a resident and he shall live with you;” meaning, strengthen him until he no [longer] falls and becomes needy.
Did you check an assisted living place for possible employment opportunities? If successful, when you’re ready to retire, you can move right in.
How come Peninah got punished when she was trying to help Channah??
Penina would ask Chana “Where are your children?” And Chana would be heartbroken. She would cry and not eat her portion of the sacrificial offerings. When Elkanah saw that Chana was crying, he would comfort her, saying, “Why do you cry and why do you not eat? Why are you heartbroken? Am I not as dear to you as ten children?” Oy vey. Baruch Hashem, He saw and she was Zoche to give birth to Shmuel HaNavi.
IYH, He will help you. The insulting comments just just give you more Schar.
Another WiseGuy. Move right in? Be careful with your words. Neged Midah K’Neged. Do you live in an assisted living “place”? Obviously, the person is does not need physical assistance. What are you spending your valuable time thinking about. Nevermind. May Hashem help you.
Elul: Time to look in your heart in lieu of judging outside. Could be you could use some serious assistance living as a Yid?
Outsider is right. Looking in is a question. Looks to me like you are just another WiseGuy. Move right in? Be careful with your words. Neged Midah K’Neged. Do you live in an assisted living “place”? Obviously, the person is does not need physical assistance. What are you spending your valuable time thinking about. Nevermind. May Hashem help you.
THe ABA providers are constantly running advertisements – and men -especially mature, intelligent ones- are at a premium. It may not be what you’re used to, but it may open up a new world of possibilities.
I wish you an abundance of success and berachah.
Who is ABA? Contact Information would actually be helpful? In Lakewood? Please provide details.
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. It’s working with kids who are usually on the autism spectrum and need guidance and help with their skills, physical, social, and academic. There are many agencies that advertise jobs available in the Lakewood magazines. Hatzlacha!!
I was interviewed for supervisor for a fast food place and the manager told me I could have a heart attack and die if I took the job. I told him I’m 70 yes but I know I have more experience than you and anyone else while your hiring all youngsters. I also told him what makes you think that you won’t get in a car accident when you go home tonight and you die? Well he said I’m not gonna hire you cause your to old. DISCRIMINATION. The DOL told me it’s a “slam dunk Federal ADA case” and gave me a lawyer for free.