From my family to yours, wishing you the best this holiday season..
With Love and Peace,
Renee
Merry Christmas Family
Three Ways to Fight Age Discrimination in the Workplace
Listen to WTYL Podcast Episode 43 Three Ways to Fight Age Discrimination in the Workplace
While its been 50 years since Congress passed the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, unfortunately, ageism is one of the ism’s that is still sociably acceptable in the United States. Age discrimination is real. Two out of three workers between ages 45 and 74 say they have seen or experienced age discrimination at work, and job seekers over age 35 cite it as a top obstacle to getting hired. And if you happen to work in the high-tech or entertainment industries, your chances of experiencing age discrimination are even higher.”
Older workers have been called names at work like old school, geezer, or grandpa, but many do not report these offenses for fear of rocking the boat and missing out on a promotion. But there are tools you can use to protect yourself against this type of discrimination. Your first step is to make sure that you are doing something you still enjoy, this is part of your mindful self-care strategy.
- Keep abreast of new technological advances, if you need to, take a class at the local community college or library. Technology is here to stay, and we, as Midlifers, must be prepared to show that we understand it and can apply in our current or future positions.
- Create your own gig, use your gifts and talents to finally start the business you have dreamt of, and become your own boss. Even if you are not ready to quit your job, having another stream of income will give you financial security and possibly replace your full-time income.
- Get fit, we would like to think that our appearance does not matter, but the truth is that we are continuously judged by the way we look. Increase your self-care, workout, eat healthy food, and spend some quiet time mindfully thinking about your goals and dreams. Getting fit and increasing your self-care will boost your confidence and improve your attitude.
You might face an uphill battle when it comes to fighting age discrimination in your workplace. If you feel that you have been unjustly discriminated against, document the offense, and reach out to your HR department. If your HR department is not able to handle the matter to your satisfaction, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is your next line of defense against age discrimination. This is a federal law that says an employer cannot fire, refuse to hire, or treat you differently than other employees because of your age.
The world may be changing, and others may forget, but you must always know your value!
With Peace and Love,
Renee
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Self-Care and Your Career: 3 Ways to Make Sure That You Are Still Doing Something You Love
There was a time when you joined a company, you were expected to stay in their employ until you retired. But, that is no longer the case, especially as the pandemic continues to force companies to close or drastically reduced their workforce. Even in these unprecedented times, you must see your choice of career as a way of engaging in your self-care. Doing work that you love and find purposeful can be instrumental in helping you to reduce your stress. “Living in a world of ‘always on’ culture can wreak havoc on you physically, emotionally, and spiritually,” Amy Blaschka says in Forbes. “Constantly grinding leads to burnout, anxiety, and stress-related illnesses.”
So, what do you do when you want to change careers in midlife? It can be very disheartening seeking a new career path or even a new job within the same field when you a midlife woman. It can seem as though your experience and education are overlooked as employers seek to hire younger, less experienced, and less costly staff. But, there are things that you can do to ensure that you get the position you want.
Make sure that you running to something, rather than away from something. If you are miserable in your current position, you may gravitate towards anything that looks better. However, there are more beneficial ways to decide.
- Any exit looks good when the building is on fire. You will be more likely to be happy with your career change if you take the time to choose the best field for you. The more you dislike your current job, the more critical it is to take a deep breath and examine all your options.
Avoid a career decision based on financial considerations. Of course, salary is a part of the decision-making process, but using it as the sole criteria can yield disappointing results. Money, even a large amount, probably will not make up for spending 8+ hours a day in misery at your job.
- Midlife is not the time to take on more stress as stress tends to have more health issues, which are expensive, too.
Do not be averse to obtaining the necessary training and education first. Midlife is not the time to stop learning, do not try to change careers without updating your skills, and having the required credentials in place. You might look at volunteering or becoming a temporary employee to get the necessary experience. This will also help you to ascertain if this is the move you want to take.
When you begin the search, be sure to show yourself some self-compassion. Network with colleagues in your new field and ask for an introduction or referral. Do not practice negative self-talk; this will only delay your progress, speak kindly to yourself, and surround yourself with a nourishing support system.
Ladies, I hope you enjoyed today’s show. Remember that just because you are in midlife does not mean you have to continue doing something you no longer love. Be encouraged, and let your passion be your guide. Do not forget to share this podcast with someone you love and
Whenever you are ready:
Join the private Welcome to Your Life Midlife Made Easier Facebook group, a curated community exclusively for fun-loving midlife women. Learn from and connect with other midlife women; this is your village, a safe place to vent your concerns and celebrate your wins. Click here to join (note: you must answer the questions to be considered).
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Four Ways to Be Productive Working from Home When the World Is Falling A Part
Note: The blog has a new format; during this time of crisis, I will be answering your questions. I hope that in some small way this will be of service to you all. If you have a question, you would like to ask, please leave it in the comments or email me at info@reneereid.net. Let me know if you would like your name to be used.
Today’s question is from Laura: She writes, “I am 52 years old and like most of us, I am working from home. My kids are home from school and my husband is working from home as well. I used to pride myself on my productivity at work and at home, but in the last week my productivity has plummeted. My boss was tracking my work and called to say she noticed I wasn’t getting much done. Help!!!!
Okay, that title might be a little over the top, but that is just how I feel now. And as you can see, Laura feels that way too, but to be honest, everything in our lives seems to be exaggerated, out of control, and more than a little overwhelming. But, before we get started, I want to remind you that while you may be working remotely in your corner of the world, you are not alone. We are a community of supportive, loving, quirky folks who have each other’s back. And not even a social distancing directive can change that, I am here for you and so is everyone in our little community. So, if you have a question for us, please write in.
Now, Laura, first let me say I am sorry that you are experiencing so much angst over working from home. Working from home is not for everyone and being put in a situation like this so quickly without time to prepare can be a lot to handle emotionally. The question for all of us is, how can we maintain an optimal level of productivity working from home? As you know, Covid-19 has forced many companies to either shut down entirely or send their workforce with laptops in hand home to work. Remote work can be great, but if you are not used to managing yourself without the oversight of a supervisor or your work colleagues, it can be a bit daunting. These tips will work for you if you are a regular 9-5 worker or if you work for yourself but have used your local coffee shop as your makeshift office.
They will help you to stay on task, boost your productivity, and calm the overwhelm you might be feeling right now because these tips are things that you can control. And that is what we all need right now, a little bit of control.
- You must maintain a regular work schedule. The first days after being laid-off, my daily schedule was all over the place. Which was a surprise to me because I am a Coach who has worked with midlife women on identifying and removing time eaters from their daily schedules. Why? Because if you do not control your time, every area of your life is affected. Secondly, I was just lamenting the week before how much more work I could get done on my business, if I didn’t have a big chunk of my day eaten away by my work schedule. Fast forward a week later, and I am trying to write my blog, answer coaching calls, record a podcast, all while trying to watch the latest news coverage, and do my laundry. That week was a bust. This week, I instituted my regular work schedule using the hours I would have been working outside of my home. So, my work hours are from 9 am-3 pm, this also required me to reinstitute my regular bedtime so that I could rise and do my morning routine before sitting down at my desk at 9 am.
- Create a designated work area and set clear boundaries. Bryan Robinson, a contributor for Forbes magazine, suggests, “Have a space that you designate as your workstation instead of checking emails, voicemails, or texting in front of the TV or spreading work out on the kitchen table.” Having a designated work area will not only keep you focused, but it will send a signal to you and the rest of the family that you are in work mode and should not be disturbed unless it is a real emergency. If you do not set this clear boundary, you might feel like you are working all the time, or your family will interrupt all day, and you won’t get anything done. Both will zap your energy and your focus. You also want to make it clear to family and friends that while you may be at home, you are still working, and they should wait to call you until after your workday ends. It might be a good idea to schedule a family meeting to go over the daily schedule, which should include your designated work time and scheduled time to hang out with significant others and kids.
3. Take frequent breaks. Just because you are working from home doesn’t mean that you can’t take a break, schedule in lunchtime and 15-minute breaks the same as you would if you were in your office. Use your break to refresh your brain and move your body, go for a walk, stretch, sit outside and soak in some vitamin D. My Fitbit reminds me every hour to walk for ten minutes, which helps me to refocus and add some steps to my daily step total.
4. Stay connected to your colleagues and work friends. Working from home can be lonely. Thankfully, we live in the digital age, and platforms like Slack, Zoom, and Mighty Networks make it possible for you to not only share work products but also check in to see how your work buddy is faring during your time of separation.
5. My bonus tip is to plan your day the night before. Start by clearing your work area, lay out your workout and work clothes for the following day, yes you must get dressed, you wouldn’t go to the office in your pajamas. According to a 2012 study from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, clothing may also have an impact on personal performance. If people associate certain qualities with certain items of clothing, it can influence how they act in those clothes. Also, plan your menu for the day and what exercise you want to tackle if you work out in the morning. Doing this the night before will open your mind space and decrease any overwhelm you might be feeling when you wake up. I have found that doing these steps before I go to bed makes my morning run smoothly.
This is a trying time for all of us, however, you might find that when this is over and yes, it will end, that you handled this situation so well that you get a promotion, land the job of your dreams or, double your business if you are working for yourself, Control what you can control.
I hope that these tips were helpful. I’m sure you have heard them before sometimes we have to hear things more than once before we act. Let’s take action.
Remember, you are stronger than you give yourself credit and more blessed than you know.
Guys, if you have any further tips for Laura, please leave them in the comments. How are handling working from home?
It’s that time again
Join the April Cohort of the 21 Day Sugar Detox Group Coaching Program; the festivities will kick off on April 12th. This virtual program will help you to boost your immune system, reenergize your metabolism, and lose that stubborn belly fat. If you join by April 4th, you will get the entire program for only $20, and this includes a private 45-minute coaching session with me. You must sign up by April 4th at midnight! Click here fto sign up- You won’t regret it. $5 of your investment in yourself will be donated to the Atlanta Mission to help them increase their housing units for homeless mothers and their children. See you on the inside!
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Midlife Made Easier 