topic Re: How would you feel? in Among Friends

How would you feel?

cookinfreak — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:48:47 GMT

Hi All

Just wondering. I have worked at the same business for 15 years. Always had good job reviews & raises. All of a sudden, I am being told that my attitude has changed and I don't interact with customers the way I did. They hired someone about 6 months ago, and that is when it all started. I have not felt like I am a part of the company anymore and feel like a temp employee. I can retire in about a year. I am the receptionist but I think they want someone younger (which I understand, and if thats the case, find something else for me to do til I retire). I feel like they are doing things to get me to quit cuz if they let me go, it could bring up issues with age discrimination. Anyway, the last review I had my boss told me we'd talk again in a month. We did, and then he said two months. So basically I am on 90 days probation even tho he didn't say that. And after all of that the raise they want to give me is .58.

How would you feel?

Thanks

cookin

Re: How would you feel?

Sooner — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:52:16 GMT

I would feel like maybe getting a lawyer. Then decide how to approach the situation.

Re: How would you feel?

spumoni99 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:54:21 GMT

What does the new person do? Hopefully she isn't bad mouthing you. Hopefully you can stick it out until the year is up, the time will go by fast.

Re: How would you feel?

Chessa35 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:59:29 GMT

My question is : will this new YOUNGER girl , stay late if needed , not take time off, not call in sick a lot , not complain all the time , etc. This could turn around and bite the company .

Re: How would you feel?

jlkz — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:06:32 GMT

@cookinfreak

Don't jeopardize your retirement. Take the minuscule raise because in the long run, your pension is more important.

Unfortunately, games get played all the time. You do not want to raise any issues until your retirement is secure.

So, you can go home on time, call in sick, do all the things you want. Time is on your side: please do not start to point fingers at the new person. You have no idea to whom she is related or who her " protector " is.

I have been there, see this stuff, escaped this stuff, etc. my pension hasn't suffered....pride...it'll pass.

The important thing is that you know who you are, your values and work ethic !

Re: How would you feel?

50Mickey — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:09:34 GMT

If I were you and I needed to work just one more year until I could retire I would do the best job that I could while being pleasant and helpful. I wouldn't give them any reason to question my loyalty or job performance. Companies and hire and fire just about at will. Of course they are not going to fire someone because of a person's age. They will find something else.

What did your supervisor say to you at your last 2 reviews that made you feel like he was unhappy with your work? Did he say anything about your attitude? All you can do is to do your best while having a pleasant attitude and don't complain. It's just a year until you can leave on your own.

Re: How would you feel?

Meowingkitty — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:12:02 GMT

Make sure you document, document, document. Every date, time and conversation is in writing in a safe place. CYA. My old company kept wanting and harassed older employees hoping they would leave. They just dug their heels in and stayed just to make management madder. Do your time and if you can get out in a year, go for it.

Re: How would you feel?

FancyPhillyshopper — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:12:47 GMT

I would also ask you to take a reflective look and see if your attitude has indeed changed. Maybe you are a bit worn out, bored, and no longer excited to report to work. Perhaps you are resentful of the new hire and you may not realize you are acting that way. If retirement is on your mind, you may not have the energy or ambition to dedicate to your job as in the past.

You are being warned by your employer, and you should pay attention. It is not the boss's job to "find something for you to do." If your skill set and attitude do not fit what they need, why should they keep you, and why on earth would you want to stay, if all you care about is the paycheck?

Age discrimination is not that easy to prove as you may think. You will need some kind of proof, and the fact that they are criticizing your current work performance means that they are documenting everything.

Have you even asked what you could do better, and what they expect, or do not see?

I am always for employee rights, but I have also been a boss, and I certainly have seen many employees prefer to coast along rather than want to regularly improve.

You may want to consider if early retirement could be an option, and if the workplace would sweeten the offer.

Good luck!

Re: How would you feel?

GingerHead — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:28:05 GMT

Have you asked your boss for specific examples of how you aren't interacting like you were before? Maybe have a heart to heart with her/him if you feel comfortable.

Or maybe just do what I might do at this point, grin and bear it until you retire.

No real advice here but I just wanted to chime in and say I've noticed how a change in personel can really change the whole atmosphere of a place in a huge way.

For example the last place I worked, it was a job and ok, I didn't love it but I don't love working so what cha gonna do. Anyway, I had worked there for about 10 years and got along better with the older ladies and had a good relationship with many of them. Then once they started retiring and the newer, younger people started to replace them I literally started to hate my job because the whole atmosphere was night and day different.

It kinda sounds like that new girl is changing up the dynamics a bit. Maybe?

Re: How would you feel?

Kachina624 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:21:07 GMT

We'd need to hear the other side of the story. Has your attitude changed? Do you have aches and pains or are you tired and bored? These things might be reflected in how you're relating to customers and you may not realize it.

You need to do an honest assessment of yourself and do whatever is necessary to please the boss. You've got to hang on for another year. Good luck!

Re: How would you feel?

rockygems123 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:23:54 GMT

@cookinfreak . Will there be a retirement package for you with this company or you've just set a 1 year goal to quit working regardless?

Wondering what their incentive is to basically push you out, is the company trying to save on money owed to you when you retire?

Re: How would you feel?

We rescue cats — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:29:00 GMT

Looking at the big picture I would try to just grin and bear it. You are at an age that like it or not, without a 'hot' skill, finding a new job is not easy. It's hard to say anything about the pay increase, it is about $1200 annually, not great but not horrible. Is your boss the type of person you can talk with about your the areas of concern?

Re: How would you feel?

Desertdi — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 17:57:16 GMT

Grin and bear it. Be your "best self"......and WEAR A WIRE

Re: How would you feel?

DSD2 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:11:27 GMT

I feel for you and your situation. Age discrimination is very real and it's hurtful as well as unlawful.

The silver lining is that you can retire in a year. It seems interminable now, but it will pass.

It is true that one can be fired at any time, basically without cause. First, I would document everything, written and verbal. Have you been provided with specific reasons as to why you are on "double secret" probation? If so, document what you have done to try and "improve". Try to smile, be gracious and be yourself.

I would feel badly about the .58 "raise" but never let anyone who doesn't value you define your worth.

I wish you the best of luck.

Re: How would you feel?

Imaoldhippie — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:30:58 GMT

@cookinfreak ................The company wants a younger employee for a couple of reasons. An employee of mature age cost them more for health insurance, plus they can hire a younger person for less than they are paying you now. If you retire early it will cost them less than full retirement. Thats what they want and they have found a "legal" way to get it by saying your job performance is not up to standard.

You can hire a lawyer but do you want to spend your money paying one? Since they have talked with you about your so called low performance they may be able to justify firing you. Then you may lose your retirement altogether (I dont know about this its just a thought.)

I believe if it were me I would tell them I will retire early WITH FULL BENEFITS or an attractive early retirement package.

Its sh^^ty but thats what companies do.

Re: How would you feel?

Carmie — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:40:42 GMT

I'd feel like you do. I'd feel underappreciated and not happy. I've seen this happen to others I have worked with.

The company wants to replace older employees with younger ones. They will try to make you so uncomfortable thinking you might quit and they're pretty sure you will retire when you can just to get away.

I would keep plugging along and do your work the best you can. Document and keep records of all your interactions with your boss...good or bad.

Hang in there.

I retired when I was 55. I went to work on a Monday, gave my three week notice and walked out. The company had to pay me three weeks vacation and then they added the rest of my vacation days onto my last check.

Since it was a retirement, HR had to scramble to get my paperwork done and my boss was left short an employee that was doing the work of about three people, plus training new employees....not part of my job description, but the trainer was mean and would have new people crying and wanting to leave.

I can tell you retirement is bliss. Just stick it out another year.

Be sure not to talk to any other employees about your issues. Even your " friends" can go behind your back if it's their best interests.

Best of luck.

Re: How would you feel?

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:46:59 GMT

@cookinfreak wrote:
Hi All
Just wondering. I have worked at the same business for 15 years. Always had good job reviews & raises. All of a sudden, I am being told that my attitude has changed and I don't interact with customers the way I did. They hired someone about 6 months ago, and that is when it all started. I have not felt like I am a part of the company anymore and feel like a temp employee. I can retire in about a year. I am the receptionist but I think they want someone younger (which I understand, and if thats the case, find something else for me to do til I retire). I feel like they are doing things to get me to quit cuz if they let me go, it could bring up issues with age discrimination. Anyway, the last review I had my boss told me we'd talk again in a month. We did, and then he said two months. So basically I am on 90 days probation even tho he didn't say that. And after all of that the raise they want to give me is .58.
How would you feel?
Thanks
cookin

@cookinfreak

How you "feel" is one thing, but I want to know what do you THINK about this.

Are they already aware of when you plan to retire ... or have you kept this to yourself?

You've received some good ideas to consider, but I am wondering if you've inadvertently slipped into "just doing my time until I can get out of here".

That attitude is easily observed and you may not be aware of it.

Next review, be sure to reinforce that you're a team player and want specifics as to what you can do differently so they don't have the "wrong" idea about your commitment.

And yes, perhaps consulting with an Employment Law attorney might be a good idea. Do a general search online for some in your state and read what their websites have to say.

Re: How would you feel?

hckynutjohn — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:55:09 GMT

@cookinfreak

For me the more appropriate title for your thread should be: WWYD, after that Network Show.

How would I feel? I worked for the same company for 33 years, and got s**t on most of them. They saved the worst for last. After 33 years I retired 2 pay grades lower than when I was hired.

What did I do? Very few in Management I didn't "square off with", including the Plant Manager. The company pretty much shafted me every step of the way. I actually enjoyed going 1 on 1 with the upper echelon white collars. Never left a meeting with any of them where I felt like I lost.

In your case? Like myself, it's how much you want to put up with, but only for a year. From reading my above partial history, that should tell you what i would do. The so-called "ball is in your hands". Now what?

hckynut(john)🥅🏒 🇺🇸

Re: How would you feel?

Jaspertimes — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:57:48 GMT

I'd put up with it for just a year. And kill everyone with kindness.

Re: How would you feel?

kaydee50 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:18:59 GMT

@cookinfreak I'd be counting the days to retirement! And keeping a record of what was said and done to me in the meantime. I assume you will get some sort of retirement "package"???