More and more companies prefer to employ younger staff and let the staff with more experience go down the drain.

It happened to me last year, so now I am employed by a cruise ship company - which has not judged me on either my age or my citizenship. It wanted me to show what I could do to improve the company and its standards.

This has given me a new lease of life, especially after I reached the age of 40 only to discover that no one - and I mean no one - was interested in me, my career or what I can bring to them.

But although I am very happy where I am now, it was with deep sorrow and regret that I had to leave the UK. I loved the place and the people I worked with.

Here in the USA, you are not allowed to discriminate against people because of their age. With a law coming in the UK, the industry is going to have to learn that older employees have plenty to offer, and that we are willing to share and learn as well.

Working weekends and bank holidays is not easy but, when you love the job, you do
it regardless and show your
boss you are willing to go the extra mile. Perhaps the bosses should make an effort to appreciate and to understand
in return.

Pascal Prunier, by e-mail