Discarded like a used tissue': Readers on ageism forcing over-50s out

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"Age discrimination is rife in the workplace, Independent readers say, after new ONS figures showed unemployment rising and vacancies falling. Readers said the lack of jobs was hitting older people hard with those in their 50s and 60s finding themselves discarded like a used tissue after decades of loyal service. Some described spiralling into depression and experiencing financial strain after redundancy, while others said they had been forced to take low-paid or part-time work stacking shelves despite years of professional experience."

Journalists are deployed to report on reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, and investigations include topics like Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC and a documentary about American women fighting for reproductive rights. The outlet remains free of paywalls and seeks donations to fund on-the-ground reporting trusted across the political spectrum. New ONS figures show rising unemployment and falling vacancies, with many older workers in their 50s and 60s losing jobs and being sidelined. Affected workers report depression, financial strain, forced low-paid or part-time work, and precarious early retirement or self-employment, while some eventually find rewarding roles.

Read at www.independent.co.uk