I have been subscribing to jobstreet and jobsDBcom, where I can browse job postings from different companies and organizations, with offices in the Philippines. Although most of these job postings would specify the age requirement for applicants, aside from the related competencies for each job, some companies would mention that they are "an equal opportunity employer", which is more interested in the competencies and skills of the potential applicant than their age, gender and other personal and demographic characteristics.
As a fiftyish something person, I have been continuously developing and enhancing my personal and professional skills, including my practical skills in ICT, ever since I had taken up a microccomputer programming course after completing my undergraduate course in chemistry, and destroyed two desktop computers during my early professional years. Thus, I must say that my age and even gender has not prevented me from learning SEO skills, blogging and internet marketing, online writing/editing of academic papers, and outsourcing activities. But, I am quite dismayed to find out that some companies and organizations, which claim to be "an equal opportunity employer in jobstreet and jobsDBcom, do not really say what they mean and mean what they say.
To make matters worse for older individuals, like me, who are highly progressive and more aware of the latest global trends in today's world than most of my peers, most of the HR staff in companies and organizations that are supposedly an "equal opportunity employer" are rigid and exclusive in the screening and evaluation of applicants for the respective job vacancies in their companies/organization, instead of practicing inclusivity and eliminating all forms of discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, religion and other differences - cultural, economic, political and social. unfortunately, most of these HR managers and staff are young professional who adhere to the traditional and obsolete HR practices that are handed down from generations of their senior (55-65 age group) HR colleagues, who have since retired and lived a passive lifestyle. These HR personnel usually disqualify applicants, because of age, even if such applicants' credentials and professional experience fulfill the requirements of the job that their firms advertised online.
This unfair and oppressive discriminatory practices in most companies and organizations today, however, have not deterred me from learning new ideas and exploring new things, particularly, in using information and communications technology to advocate for justice and social transformation in the Philippine society as well as in honing my professional skills.
To the companies and organizations that discriminated against my age, all I can say is, it's your loss. And, to those organizations that gave me "an equal opportunity" and considered me for a job that I had applied for in their company/organization, please accept my profound gratitude and expect my total commitment and full dedication towards the fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities relative to the job that you have entrusted me.
Carpe diem!
END ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION!
