Is this it until I retire?

[crowsfeet57]

Last year I was made redundant. I was lucky to get redundancy because my whole team were fired for refusing to accept onerous new working conditions. I got redundancy because I made it absolutely clear that I would sue for unfair dismissal. It was a horrendous situation.

Twelve months ago I took a temporary job for three months. At the end of the contract I was offered a permanent position which I took because it pays the bills. Thing is I hate the job. I'm the lowest rung of the ladder in a contact centre and the nature of the work means our customers are often abusive. I get sworn at and called names multiple times every day. My manager is nice and the rest of the team are too but working from home I don't see any of them and even in the office we don't get to chat as our breaks are all scheduled so you can't go to lunch with a friend. Not that I have any friends there.

I've been in supervisory or management roles since I was 23 and now I can't even go to the loo without permission. Am I mad to think that at 62 I could get a good job again or is this it until I retire?

[MissTediousGirl]

That sounds pretty dreadful - exacerbated by being at home and having none of the usual support or distractions. The job market is difficult at the moment but, with your experience, try not to get too dispirited - I'm sure that there will be something out there within the next 6-12 months that uses more of your skills. Although you feel down-hearted, try to be as positive as possible in interviews- I wouldn't mention any of the unpleasantness re redundancy etc. Good luck with it all.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

You could try consultancy in your area of expertise. A lot of the female consultants I work with are 60+ and specialise in everything from administration management to risk. Have a chat with your local Reed or Hays to see what they say.