What's The New Work Place Really Like?

In meditation class this week, a woman told me about a bad work experience she just had. Last month, she was hired by a company highly recommended by a colleague. When she was hired, her employer said they liked her qualifications, that they would train her in the company's product knowledge, and that they expect her to be fine in about six months.

She started her job, and from day 1, she felt life was not right. For one thing, no one talked to her. No one provided any kind of training. No one answered her e-mail requests for training. No one really told her what her job was. Everyone was too busy. She was becoming very unhappy. Then last week, they brought her into the board room and gave her her walking papers. She was relieved, but angry.

I have my own nasty story about the new work place. In fact, most people I know who re-entered the work force in the last few years have their own stories about entering a mean and hostile work environment. Has the work place really become that - mean and hostile?

Or is it really the corporate world that has become that, where only the bottom line matters?

What is the work place really like now for people in their forties who are changing careers or re-entering the work force? What's out there?