Silicon Valley wants younger workers because their salaries are lower. Also, H1B workers tend to be younger and cheaper than US citizens. Cities need to worry about this trend because older workers are usually local residents. Hiring younger out-of-state workers to replace residents makes the housing crisis even worse.

How old is Meg? Pretty old, I'd say, so it's time to run her out of the company like she's doing to her workers.

H1Bs at Facebook / Google are incredibly well paid and well treated. It's the old-world (semiconductor) Sillicon Valley companies who use H1B labor as a cheaper alternative, in part because they can pressure them to work long hours and they have no alternatives.

FB/GOOG doesn't want younger workers "because cheap," they just need developers. They're hiring everyone they can. If you have experience, they will give you a godly sum of money. Solid experience can command upwards of $500k/yr (salary + equity).

This article seems to be focused on sales/IT support workers at a dying company.

This is true. I work at a company where I was told only to hire young people because VCs wanted them. I've had candidates proudly point out that they were millennials as if this was a skill. The HP internal memo says it all. I guess we should all go get plastic surgery and shave 20 years off our resumes.

I've been advised by recruiters to take my graduation and early career items off of my resume. I have them on LinkedIn, but not on my resume. They were not the ones connecting me to jobs, but told me of what they knew recruiters were looking for: experienced, but young.

I'm surprised that HP was so blatant about this practice. The acronym is RAPE, Retire Aged Persons Early. My wife got it 5 years ago.

Other companies seem to do a better PR and call it a pay per performance comparison and eliminate the high paid but poorer performer personnel. Or identify a streamline objective to cut cost at the company and hire lower pay scale personnel. (not age) Similar results no law suits.

Stunning story - I don't know H-P but have seen it in several other local companies. Outrageous SYSTEMATIC discrimination against middle-aged employees. Nothing to do with "old" employees," rather, this is an issue for anyone approaching middle age. The Tech industry also discriminates against those with dependents/families in a SYSTEMATIC way (looks for those using benefits, such as one would of course do if one has a family).
I wish for success in this very justified lawsuit. Thank you for your strong and correct stance.

Those program are usually biased against letting go older workers (or anyone in a protected class). That is exactly why voluntary retirement programs are offered, because it is difficult to use lay-offs. Someone could have gotten sloppy, but the list should have been scrutinized to have justification that had nothing to do with age. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. If it turns out like the Microsoft case (the one that turned contractors into employees) and creates clear rules for how you can let older workers go to prevent this type of claim.

I was WFR'd because if my age. My pay was roughly $100K, I was replaced by "college hires" in Plano, TX for tax credits and other incentives. My replacements are paid $46K. I understand the bottom line, but, watching the bottom line has only created problems for HP. They are finding that 1) inexperienced employees don't instill confidence in the customer base and 2) college hires expect a smooth ride in the work place, experienced workers understand that there will be bumps in the road. The result? High turnover and frustrated managers (who are quitting, as well).

I am not in California. just got WFR'ed from HPE with no reason given. I am in my mid 50's. Mt position is open for "Early Career" people..

the beat goes on.

Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?

I was also offered Enhanced Early Retirement. I was 62 and on the east coast. I took it, and got another job making about half of what I was making with HP. I'm doing ok, but have found there is no way HP would hire me back due to my age. I am and always have been a high performer. It's your loss HP. I have so much experience and training, and understanding of ROI.... It's ok. It will happen to those who are foisting it on others.

Just another of Megs war on on White males that are over 50.. the EEOC is another governmental racist agency we can get ride of. what if funny is the government is the only ones that cant see it.