This is what I think of companies mentality now,
40 and above are liability and will try to get rid of them. Reasoning?
1) older folks make company look old. Nothing looks better than a pretty young lass or a young chap in his 30s that dresses like a yuppie. The young ones are more inclined to dress to kill even though they may not be able to afford it
2) older folks have too many committments, one of which is family. The young ones? Will drop all committements at the chance of a opportunity.
3) older folks will require more pay based on seniority, the young ones? will take anything as long as you sell it well to them of their "prospects" and "growth" with company.
Sigh sad to say a friend said something to me which I find is very true. "Many people have a one sided relationship with their companies, thinking their company looks after them. Hence they are so shocked when they get retrenched. Actually the companies dont give a hoot about you and to them, you are just another screw in the big picture, when you have expended your usefulness, bye bye you go no apologies about it." Maybe that will explain why retrenched staff are normally treated as if they are criminals. given less than 24 hrs to clear out and normally escorted out by security guards.