Among Friends

[cookinfreak]

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

[Sooner]

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

[spumoni99]

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.

[Chessa35]

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 . 

[jlkz]

@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 !

[50Mickey]

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. 

[Meowingkitty]

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. 

[FancyPhillyshopper]

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!

[GingerHead]

 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?

[Kachina624]

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!