Tom,
As one over 40 I have encountered age discrimination, but it must be devillishly hard to prove (your story is the exception, but then it's your word against hers). You know it when you see it but that's about all.

Employers are BIG on hiring much younger simply because salary expectations are lower. They pay no mind to experience being valuable (as in avoiding lots of expensive garden path excursions or just getting the job done faster and far more thoroughly) or to punctuality (the last kids I worked with wondered in between 1100hr-1300hr) or to attendance records (same kids off at least 5-6 days per month each) or the use of office time (last kids often viewing CDs or DVD on their workstations and even using the projector to view them) or several other things.

Companies with pension plans have been known to dump people just before they were to become vested.

You are right, there's lots wrong in the employment arena, but they are well disguised and hardly of interest to the elected folks.

cheers (well, not really on this one)

SNIP
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>There are so many things wrong with the employment arena. Age discrimination is just one of them. Trying to do anything about it is a joke and like trying to hold back the tide with your own two hands. You will find more than a leak! As I often say, keep a smile on your face so people will think you are crazy. It helps! :)
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>Tom