56% Pushed Out, 22% Locked Out: The 2026 Job Market for Workers Over 50

The 2026 job market is “stuck in place”—and for workers over 50, that frozen labor market is dangerous from both sides: getting pushed out and being blocked from getting back in.In this episode, we connect four key signals:•SHRM’s “stuck in place” labor market outlook and what it really means if you’re over 50•Newsweek’s latest layoff list and how “strategic trimmings” quietly target experienced workers•A 133% spike in ageism mentions on Glassdoor, exposing what’s really happening inside companies•A German survey showing 22% of companies haven’t hired anyone over 50 in a decade—and why that should matter to you even if you live in the US, UK, Canada, or AustraliaWe’ll talk about how this creates a frozen job market that traps older workers:•Pushed out of stable roles through restructurings, “performance” narratives, and cost-cutting•Blocked from re-entry by algorithmic hiring filters and quiet age bias in recruiting and promotionsBut we’re not stopping at doom. We’ll also dig into why a tipping point is coming as demographics, talent shortages, and reputational risk start to push companies to rethink how they treat workers over 50—and how you can position yourself ahead of that shift.If you’re over 50 and navigating:•A recent layoff, redundancy, or “reorg”•Constant anxiety about being next on the chopping block•Silence from applications you’re clearly qualified for•The feeling that you’re invisible to hiring managers and algorithms…this episode will give you a clearer map of the landscape you’re in and practical ways to respond without blaming yourself for a broken system.My new book, “Coming Home After 50: A Journey of Rediscovery,” launches February 6th and is available for pre‑order now: LINKIf today’s stories made you feel seen, that’s the point. We’re in this together.Watch the full video on YouTube: youtube.com/@empowerover50Send us Fan MailSign up HERE for a weekly emailJoin the Community Message Board: Join our communityVisit our YouTube channel for all our videos: @EmpowerOver50Visit the Website: Empower Over 50My Book "Coming Home After 50: A Journey of Rediscovery is available from Amazon:https://a.co/d/injkC3b🌿 FREE Resource Guide Download HERE.https://www.instagram.com/the_english_musical_nomad/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564529386194https://x.com/T_E_M_Nomademail: [email protected]