Usurped at work by younger person

I’m in two minds about your situation, because from your post I think there may be something happening that you’re not yet seeing yourself. You really do need to find out what it is that your colleagues won’t tell you.

A lot of the posters have said how unfair it is for you, and how it often happens before retirement, which are both true. Since I retired myself though I’ve thought a lot about my last few years at work, and realised that whilst I was still competent at the job I became less flexible, more cynical, and less open to change. I was lucky in that I was able to retire without losing my role and still felt valued, but I now wish I’d gone sooner because on reflection I think I’d become a bit of a thorn in the side for the rest of the team - it was time for new blood. It’s hard to admit that to yourself I know, but may be worth thinking about if that has happened with you too.

I agree with polarbear2. Younger colleagues look at us like we have 2 heads on times. It's not our fault we have to carry on working. I'd gladly pack it in if I could claim state pension.

Do we think this is something that happens more to women than men? I don’t know of any men my age who experienced this type of issue but I know a few women who have. Is it a result of moving the pension age maybe?? Employers aren’t used to dealing with over 60 women who have to continue working??? Just musing.

Some day they will be your age and it will all happen to them. Ask yourself if you really need all this hassle in these last years leading up to retirement. Life is for enjoying and there are fewer years to enjoy than you maybe think. Let them get on with their petty ambitions and escape.

I retired from my job as a library assistant at Christmas although I do not reach state pension age until next December. I had found the last five years really tough and couldn't stand it any longer. I survived two rounds of redundancies but after the second I was the only one left out of my old team of colleagues. In came the younger people who knew better ways of doing the things that we had been doing for years and I gradually felt more and more pushed out. Even down to petty things like finding new places to keep things and I would feel stupid when I could no longer find the sellotape. Passwords would be changed without telling me and in the end I felt that I had just had enough.

I agree with a lot of the comments. Definitely keep a log of things in case you need them later on. Ageism is not talked about enough in work situations. I'm noticing more and more how myself and older colleagues are passed over for younger ones. I just plan for my retirement, make a note of anything derogatory and carry on until I decide when the time is right for me to decrease my hours and eventually finish altogether. Older people's work and life experience is often overlooked. Their loss I say. As for the union I'm not in one anymore after being bullied by a former manager. Unions are not for the employee anymore and too much in the employers pocket. I'm just speaking on my experience on that one and not wishing to offend anyone whose had a positive experience. I went to a employment law free service which we are lucky enough to have in our area and gained the best advice there along with acas who were very good too.

Ah the old ageist, constructive dismissal project being unleashed here I suspect.

I still struggle with the idea that graduates taking on roles - particularly leading or management roles - really have limited experience, and academic knowledge that we, as a society seem to regard as of greater merit in the workplace than it deserves.

Sure, learning by theory and as a student has its place in all of our workplace training, knowledge and skills, but we hear so many tales of employers with limited confidence in the younger workforce. Especially those straight out of university, with a few months "internship" in their knowledge and experience locker.

Academic skills are worse than useless without practical application and experience. We have only our glorious leader to demonstrate that particular example.

The sort of problem the OP raises here will not go away in a hurry, and this will only lead to more mistakes being repeated that previous generations made, and no lessons will be learned - sadly.

This is very common - even more than I have personally witnessed, having read the other posts here, and so damaging to your feelings and self esteem. However, you are the same person, with the same excellent skill set, and capable of everything you were doing previously. You are not diminished in any way by what has unfolded, unless you allow it to happen - I know it is so hard but keep your head up and be proud of yourself. It might be worth quoting to the 'two chums', that you can cheat people, but that doesn't mean you have fooled them.

I don’t want to be alarmist but from reading your post and some of the replies, there are undertones of constructive dismissal and even redundancy here. Constructive dismissal is basically life being made so difficult for you, that you quit - it sounds as though there quite an element of this already if it’s making you feel so awful. For redundancy the employer has to prove that the job role of the person being made redundant has disappeared - it is the job, not the employee that is redundant. The only exception to this is ‘bumping’ where a person who has lost their own role within the company, takes over the role of another employee, thus in turn, making them redundant - this is very difficult for an employer to prove as legitimate if taken to unfair dismissal hearing.

If, as I think you suspect, the employer wants this person to take over your role fully, then they either need to find you an alternative position or initiate disciplinary proceedings if there is a perception that you are in any way deficient in the role. A ‘fresh pair of eyes’ and ‘old ideas’ have been mooted, so you need to consider whether this is a possibility. If so, remember that the employer needs to initiate proper disciplinary proceedings and firstly bring any deficient aspect of your work to your attention, starting with a verbal warning. This must involve a clear explanation of what the problem is and an agreed plan on the areas and timescales of expected improvement. If the employer believes there hasn’t been sufficient improvement then at least one written warning should follow, giving a clear explanation of where the problem lies and a timescale for improvement - ACAS advise two written warnings, with a final one being issued giving grounds for dismissal.

You really need to get your union involved now if you think that any of the above is a possibility - and even if you think not, start with a chat to your union rep to advise what’s happening. If things do then get more difficult you’ll have a record of that contact and you can go from there. In the meantime, the advice from PPs is good - keep a diary of dates and times of relevant events so that you have good evidence to support any dispute.

I agree with previous posts. This situation says more about the young colleague than your inability to fulfil your duties. The young colleague is forging ahead with their career and sounds like they are not bothered who they step over to get ahead.
You will have your day. I'm a great believer in Karma. Throw yourself into your new position and remember you're working towards your retirement. Tip your work/life scales towards more life.

I to was in a position like this and the situation became so bad I had to leave my job of 22 years due to ill health. I think this nothing other than ageism and bullying. It is so unfair for someone with so much experience to be treated with such contempt. I would not pass on any of your experience or skills if I were you as it didn't help me one little bit. I think is unacceptable that you should be treated in this way and it seems obvious your colleagues are feeling vulnerable and possibly frightened of losing their jobs. Definitely keep a daily record of everything. Good Luck x?

I've seen this happen too - great advice from others. I'd suggest (unless it contains sensitive or confidential information) sending any emails you get to your personal email address as these things can disappear .. Ever seen the film Philadelphia, where the worker with HIV/Aids is constructively dismissed? One colleague I worked with (young woman) was furious a client she handled was passed to an (older, male) colleague - mysteriously, the client's file disappeared not long after (before online filing). My older colleague was so upset, checking everywhere, but I think we all knew who was at the back of it. Assume you are in their crosshairs, watch your back, and as others have said make notes. I use my emails as diaries now - keep them in "Drafts" - dates, other stuff. It's a crappy way to live though, but hopefully it won't be for long - a few errors on the young colleagues part should knock the sparkle off him.

Judging from all the replies this situation is quite a common occurrence. It may not help much to know that, but at least you know it seems to happen to many others so maybe you won’t feel quite as hurt.

I was 61 when this happened to me. New management, new ideas. I was marginalized, given menial tasks to do that, not on my job description, while others were promoted and my jobs were on their descriptions. I started having panic attacks about going to a job I'd held for 22 years. One day I just walked out. I cashed in my work pension and got a part time job doing something totally different that I love. I know I gave in but I'm happy now. 2 more years and I will finally get state pension. Staying wasn't worth the damage to my mental health.

My sympathies, lifebeginsat60. I'm with grandtanteJE65!
You are allowed to have feelings, and you need to let your boss know how you feel about all this, but be assertive and not aggressive. He/she may well not realise how you have been affected, and neither may the younger member of staff who you feel is taking over your role. Perhaps they need a wake-up call!
I too disagree about it being a union matter. When you request an interview, you could well be allowed a friend to support you, and a union rep is a very good friend at times like this.
Have a look at your employment contract and see if any terms have been breached, although there is often a catch-all clause included.
Try to be pleasant throughout, but don't be a doormat! It's all very well offering support and being Mrs Nice, but don't set a precedent such that anyone else in your company who experiences similar treatment ends up with employment problems. That's one reason for seeking union advice.
Keep a diary and written records to support what you say, and copies of emails and letters.
Good luck and stay strong!

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

You are in a terrible position. One in which I found myself in as well. I wont even tell you that what you face with being sidelined is even possible to have to face everyday. I couldnt do it, so I retired. All the advice you have been given to hang in there is very sound practical advice. I just couldnt physically put it into practice everyday. I hope you can do it, else find a way to retire early. I love retirement, but admit it still stings when I think about how hard working and dependable I was, only to be cast off like an old shoe. Good luck to you in working thru this.

This is hard to swallow as you believe you have been totally successful in your present role. I am sure you have been invaluable, but situations change. If I were you, I would send emails after each meeting to the relevant people, asking them to clarify what's been said. Sometimes when people read stuff that's been committed to print, it looks very stark and maybe unfair. It may make them re-word whats been said, in a kinder way, and may even make them think twice about how things are being projected to the staff.
If it was me, I would be withdrawing from all the decision making and planning, with my eye on my retirement. Then when you are approached to help them, which you undoubtedly will be, can insist you thought you were taking a back seat role, as new staff member is clearly a genius, and is coping so well. It's hard to let go of something you were an integral part of, but you may find, as you get older, it's nice to let go and take it easier. Good luck dear lady, take care

My sympathies too. I had this happen to me in my last employment. I was headhunted for want of a better word but from the start of the job I was belittled and made to feel worthless by one particular staff member. Fortunately my Daughter had had her baby and I left before retirement for childcare reasons. I did tell them the real reasons behind my decision and why I didn’t want to work for that organisation any longer which gave me some sort of closure. It’s horrible, you sound too lovely to be treated in this manner.

Personally I'd sit back and let the younger take over completely until they screw up, which they will.. Then make it very public that you are going in to do the 'clear up.'
There is no accounting for age and experience on any level. If you're still getting paid for doing the same job sit back on your laurels my darling as you have earned it!!

Is this how you want to spend the rest of your time at work? Life is short. These people are obnoxious. I would be inclined to look at the worst possible scenario financially and see if I could possibly manage. This is taking back your power. If you could manage then you already have the power to walk away.
There is work out there for skilled and reliable people. You might choose to look at doing something part-time and indulge yourself in learning something new, joining one of the many organizations for older people , like U3A. lots of possibilities. My cousin was a nurse who spent the final 10 years at work in a major hospital being bullied by younger people who thought she was too stiff and starchy because she kept to the rules and would never see a patient short-changed. She retired two years early and has never been so happy. she helps out in a charity shop, she goes to the gym, she has lost a couple of stones in weight and has a decent sized social circle now. This could be the beginning of the next chapter in your life. Whatever you choose, choose what gives you joy.

Sounds like having to 'fight for your position' is not a very healthy way to approach work every day. It is hard to find the energy or to lower your dignity to do this. I always upped and left as soon as there was a sniff of rivalry, competition or favouritism. I left them to it and found a place where I was appreciated
As for work colleagues keeping quiet? Maybe they too don't want to get embroiled in office politics and anything for the safe and easy life, they keep it under their hats
So maybe there are things about you that others find difficult to manage or appreciate. It is the most difficult thing to admit to ourselves when we have worked and succeeded this way for many years
I wonder if you can swallow your pride and look for work where you are respected and supported for what you have to offer?
Best of luck , you sound like an ideal employee to me!

Looking at this discussion, my own and my family’s experiences - ‘management’ can be really brutal.

I’d say don’t blame yourself, brilliant that you came here for some perspective, take advice that you feel suits you, and know that you there are some things you are in charge of. Good luck.

I could write a book about work situations like this! I was a freelance worker for various organisations.

Although I really didn't want to retire so soon, after a few episodes of what probably would be described as bullying from team leaders, I decided that working was no longer viable.

Even though I had a vast wealth of experience and knew my subject inside out, I felt that there were too many other people playing politics. It was hard at the time, but I left graciously, left no reason for leaving and planned my quiet exit. My income is lower but I am much happier.

It hurts sometimes when you notice the subtle ways in which some colleagues think that you are over the hill! It may happen to them eventually if they are still in employment. I worked hard, enjoyed my career but it was time to move on.
Look forward not backward and plan a new chapter.

Don’t forget the basics here, write in a notebook dates and times of instances that happens or make you feel uncomfortable.
You may be surprised how they mount up, it could be a form of bullying or singling out if it’s happening frequently or do you think your manager may fancy her