You were recently laid off.  For the past 20 years you worked in the medical field, most of those years for one hospital in a specialty department.  You initially started working as a receptionist, a file clerk, a transcriptionist and eventually working your way to managing a department, overseeing medical records and all that entails.

Then came the pink slip.  For whatever reason you did not have a job (aand neither did your coworkers) but were entitled to a severance package, unemployment and COBRA. 

You also were told that you are eligible to be hired within two years of lay off date, anywhere in the hospital when a job becomes available, and still be able to retain your seniority. 

You also understood that jobs would initially be offered to employees actively working for the hospital and then to previous employees and finally to individuals looking to work in a hospital environment. 

Jobs have been available and posted.  Unit Secretary, File Clerk. Transcriptionist and Office Manager.  You have qualified for each job description and have kept up your skills with each one. 

Yet…after submitting countless resumes and cover letters, you have not received one phone call for an interview or a job offer.  Each job posted, closed.  Active employees or individuals “off the streets” were hired. 

The only reasoning conclusion you could come up with is that you are almost 63.  No intention of retiring in the near future until being forced to.  In fairly good health.  No abuse of  health insurance when working for this hospital.  And still…no invitation to become a viable working employee for a past employer. 

Is this age discrimination in action?  You tell me.