Losing your job in your fifties
Despite the existence of Age Discrimination legislation for over a year now, the workplace reality is somewhat different from what we might hope. It is never easy to deal with redundancy or losing your job at any age but once you turn fifty it becomes more and more difficult to find new employment. The same applies to anyone wishing to re-enter the employment market for whatever reason or to seek a career change or new direction - once you reach fifty, if not before, suitable opportunities seem to dry up.
And yet, in terms of family and financial responsibilities and pressures, these are likely to be at least as acute and demanding as at any other age. So it can be a very depressing, frustrating and confidence-sapping time. And here, at in my prime, we are receiving an increasing number of requests for advice and support. There are many social networking sites starting up for the over-50s but only rarely do they deal with these kind of issues.
David Watts, one of our subscribers, is in such a position regarding employment and is writing a blog of his thoughts and experiences. He would very much welcome debate and comment from others in a similar predicament and, hopefully, a sharing of useful information and ideas.
Check out his blog at www.copingwithredundancy.blogspot.com
(From October 2007)
Looking nifty at fifty
In the past many people panicked at the thought of being fifty and reached for the Yellow Pages in search of a cosmetic surgeon. Thankfully, this trend now seems less popular and we are embracing 50 with a new found verve. You certainly don't need cosmetic surgery to look and feel good at 50plus. Inner confidence and knowing how to look good can immediately make you look and feel younger.
So what should you be wearing and what should you be avoiding? There are no hard and fast rules; it is about looking good on the outside so that you feel good on the inside. Everyone knows what makes them feel good and it is about embracing that and being true to you, not trying to please someone else or fit into a box that the media have created. Attitude and style have no age limit and these can make you look far younger than either trying to fade into the background or wearing the latest catwalk trends.
Click here for more >>
(From September 2007)
