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I found so many job postings for various positions in sales at Amazon I have applied to them on LinkedIn. But Amazon never responds to any of my applications. I have 6+ yoe worked with big companies like Nestle, Reckitt and now at Allergan. I am a well seasoned Sales professional. Can someone help me out with the hiring process ?Amazon Amazon India
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My friend, to say it is not fair is an understatement. Looks like he is close to retirement and hopefully he can find something to get him there.
For the rest of us, this is a reminder that the companies we work for are optimized to use us.
This. Companies rent our time. Never forget that.
Something similar happened to my Dad. He took some time off and now does contract work and teaches, and honestly it’s been awesome but came with about 6 months of him just struggling to figure out what he wanted to do now and then find something that fit his plan.
Thanks I needed to hear that
Maximize severance package. Unfortunately not much can be done with at will employment
Can he go teach at an university? We always need new professors.
Universities are filled to the gills with adjuncts awaiting their turn. But there is a BIG need in rural schools and community colleges. My dad who is a tenured professor at an Ivy and has no dearth of teaching opportunities, teaches CC in sabbaticals because he loves the quality of students he gets. Your dad would probably get a lot of satisfaction mentoring these schools that always need experienced people. They may not pay so well but he will be doing important work
Are they allowed to just cut everyone in his age group? Isn’t that grounds for age discrimination?
Seek an EEO attorney’s advice before signing anything
2. Hundreds of millions, they didn’t hesitate to let him go. I feel helpless since we grew up so differently but any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
PwC has their Talent Exchange, where he could be picked up as a contractor depending on his skill sets and openings.
Could be a good stopgap until a longer term solution is realized. Happy to refer him, if that’s a route he’s interested in (and assuming we can refer people for these positions).
https://talentexchange.pwc.com
Wow. I could have written this in 2000 when fishbowl didn’t exist. My dad (also a PhD) was ousted from a small business that he ran as the president for 16 years. My understanding is that the company was basically poorly run, never really achieved its potential under my dad. A few of the managers started a new company, bought all the equipment at a discount, took all the customers, and rebuilt.
Our family lost most of our investment in the original company. And my dad lost his income. He was 62 and I was in grad school. It was really tough. Devastating. Not just from the standpoint of his well being, but just financially for the family. My mom did clerical work and had to work overtime, I switched my course of study from something academic to an MBA so I could help support as well as soon as I graduated.
My dad was embarrassed, depressed, couldn’t really get himself to actively look for a job but and no one in his network would hire him. Not even as an consultant, adjunct, lecturer, etc. His physical and mental health suffered. Basically he played around on the computer with email forwards and watched tv all day while my
Mom worked 10-12 hour days and came home and did all the cooking, cleaning, housework, etc.
I supported them as much as I could after I graduated. It was tough. My dad had a heart attack and quad bypass in 2007. Shortly after my dad recovered. They almost got divorced. It was really tough.
The good news is. After the heart trouble and reconciling with my mom, my dad made an effort to get healthy. He took up swimming at the ymca and had some purpose to get out of the house. After he got healthy and they decided to stay together, things have gotten much better in the last 10 years or so. My dad is doing some consulting/research with some former colleagues. He’s even had some studies published and attended some conferences. I have a wife and kids now. And he is fairly active as a grandpa. My mom and dad have taken some pretty awesome trips (with and without us) that I gave them as gifts. Their health is quite good considering they are into their 80s.
A long post, but my point is. It took him nearly 10 years to get into a positive place. It took a lot of help and patience from me and my
Mom. And it took him realizing that he had a long way to go and more happiness to be achieved in life.
Throughout this saga. A lot of people told me that it’s not my problem and it’s his life. Don’t get involved etc. You will have to make those decisions for yourself. But in-spite of it being frustrating and sad. I’m glad things worked out the way they did. My wife has always been supportive of my parents and understanding of my involvement. Sounds like you feel a responsibility to help as well. Good luck with everything. Feel free to dm if you want to chat.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I especially relate to your closing thoughts about familial values. Our family has always been close, and we will work through these challenges together, even if it means individual sacrifices need to be made.
Lawsuits and severance aside, he needs a reason to get up and be active every day. I'd suggest some significant volunteer work, perhaps with a school or somewhere his brain will be engaged.
HS, or elementary initially while he works on a CV for adjunct work at a University or community college. Depending on his experience, not for profits in his field could help.
Yeah I think the biggest thing right now is giving him some to re-evaluate next steps. Still plenty of time to try new things.
If he hasn’t signed a severance agreement yet (and even if he has, there may be a required “buyer’s remorse” sort of period), suggest you speak with an attorney about an age discrimination claim.
I was going to suggest the same. On top of the age discrimination case, his patents may support other arguments as well. Get him a lawyer OP.
The Corporate American way, zero compassion.
Sorry to hear that OP
That stinks. Sorry to hear this. I was laid off after 20 years at my previous job. It was a real kick in the ass emotionally. He (like I did) will probably go through the grieving stages. It sounds like he has a lot to put on his resume! Sounds like he had a great son/daughter (you) to help him get through this.
I appreciate the kind words
another reminder to not kill yourself for this, build your own business. With the recent layoffs, it's more of a proof that ones gotta look for yourself
That’s what my mom did so fortunately we have a safety net.
Tell him to look for a position at GWU if you’re in the DMV area. A lot of profs at GWU only teach bc GWU will fund their research.
Yes this comment shows a severe lack of understanding of how universities work. A researcher from industry will be competing with people who have publish for a living - it will not be a fair match
My condolences.
For plans afterwards, maybe try to be an expert on call for the field? They make tons of money....
Sounds like this is where you can really drive some value.
It's hard to get over stuff like this but he's clearly highly qualified. It's just a matter of finding a new role that fits
Honestly if he got laid off because of his age he should talk to everyone that was laid off and do a class action lawsuit as it seems wrong. Go talk to a lawyer if they truly targeted a certain age that is considered a form of discrimination
I know it sounds crazy maybe consider moving to New Mexico cheaper, and huge chemistry industry... plus perfect place to retire unless he hates the heat then maybe Washington state ... not in Seattle no income tax and after the age of 65 no state property tax... he has lots of options
Is teaching in a university an option? Given that he has a PhD, he can be active in a university.
Tell us more about his background! Maybe we can help!
Tell him to check out CreativeLive for photography courses :). I own a photo business, and their courses are fabulous!
Corporations doing this at increasing rate—and class actions are following, in some instances. See ProPublica exposure of IBM’s chronic pattern of age discrimination. Laid off thousands who are/were age 50-plus in past 5 years.
And...how are the financials at IBM as we go into 2020?
Schadenfreude.