Usurped at work by younger person

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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!

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.

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'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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'm another who went through this. I had a role that was of a high level and found that I was being ignored or juniors asked for information and not me. It did hurt. Even though I'd always worked in a male dominated profession and had always been fighting to be recognized. I finally gave up. I sat back, smiled, helped and earned my money. It actually felt good! Once I retired, I realized one day that I was no longer feeling the stress of fighting anymore. That my new label was 'retiree' which really hasn't got a ranking anywhere. It's actually a nice feeling to just... be chilled.
Also, just a small point with regards to what others have said. I worked in Human Resources. Constructive dismissal, grievances etc., really don't get you anywhere apart from being someone who is being a nuisance. Best to melt into the background and bide your time.
Be like the penguins in Madagascar .... smile and wave!

I am sorry for the way you feel. I went through something like this and the impact it had on me was huge. So my heart goes out to you. In my case it wasn’t an age thing it was a gender thing. A man came in and just took over.
Just a thought you say its not a union matter but have you had a chat with them? Sounds like age discrimination to me. You have nothing to lose. If not is there anyone you can talk to in HR about the impact it's had on you? Is there anyone that could help you feel like you are valued? In my case I did go to the union and HR. I also kept records, took photos and made sure I talked about how I felt. It’s a good idea in case these issues become complaints.
Please get support as I know this can impact mental health. Take care

It’s an awful situation. My heart goes out to you. Agree totally with Nonogran about keeping a journal. Could this be a matter of incremental salary ? My boss told me that two people could be employed for what I cost. I did the sums and left them to it at a time when they needed my expertise and experience. The phrase ‘If you pay peanuts you get monkeys ‘ came to mind and they couldn’t persuade me to stay. I wish you well in finding fulfilment in whatever role you are offered . I’m sure your enthusiasm will stand you in good stead and your pushy college and her chums will learn to appreciate what they nearly lost.

Sorry to be commenting so late. I’ve been thinking carefully about your situation. Firstly, I don’t think you have been treated with respect and I think that each of us deserve to be treated with respect in the workplace. Check your employment handbook for all terms and conditions of employment. I think you need clarification. You were not expecting a younger member of staff to plan an area of work that you usually cover so why did that happen? Did your boss ask her to?There is some communication missing here. If you were known to be planning that area, then someone should have been telling you there was to be a change. Also I think you should think about age. The government in their wisdom decided our retirement age should rise from 60 to 66 in my case, maybe higher in yours. And with that gives you the right to be treated equally with other employees whatever their age. I wonder if your boss has been acting in an age discriminatory way by not communicating with you but effectively presenting you with a fait accomplait in a department meeting. You should not be expected to drop your job input as you head towards retirement and indeed if you do that you could find yourself going through a work performance review. So you actually need to keep your foot on the gas as you have always done and not change what you are doing, of course if less experienced people would benefit from your support you may feel happy to undertake some training for them. But I would ask to meet with your boss to discuss possibilities moving forward and how she sees your role moving forward. I would take questions in writing and make notes. I would then send her an email thanking her for talking with you and summarising your recollection of the meeting. If you have a union I would call them and check that they agree with your intentions. It’s a horrible situation when you loose self confidence and many of us have been there I promise you, so don’t feel alone.

It was very unprofessional for this young woman and other members of the team to marginalise you in this way and make you feel uncomfortable.

As has been suggested, I think you should keep a detailed record of this and any other instances where you have not been involved or consulted in a proper manner.

I feel sorry for the situation you are in. I also feel there is something about the way you work that might need addressing, if your friends didn't want to discuss it. Try to work with the new people in your workplace by taking a step back and asking how they would like things done now. You enjoy your job and you are good at it, so keep that in mind if they suggest changes in the way they would like you to work. Be open to new ideas and try not to see it as a demotion but preparing for retirement. If you are defensive you might be labelled as difficult or resistant to change. Maybe a chat with HR regarding how you can make the most of working there until retirement? Even constructive critisism can be hard to hear, but if you can separate the job you do from the person you are, it might be easier. Good luck.

hi lifebegins,
there are (of course) a number of things you haven't made clear, but perhaps the most important is whether the "taken over" part of your job is actually the whole of your job, or just a part of it. also, what are "they" expecting you to do with your time now?
would it be possible for you to continue the remainder of your work and simply leave them to get on with the bit they're so keen to take over? or are they expecting you to work on that part, but in a junior position?
i think it's time for you to do some cold hard thinking, about where you'd like to go from here. consider your options. it could be that you could get some retraining paid for by the company, either in the same field or a slightly different one. (you have a right to insist.) or it could be that you could take them to the employment tribunal and make them pay the missing part of your pension while you sit back at home and prune the roses or study to become a rocket scientist.
i'd say DEFINITELY keep notes of EVERYTHING, whether you choose to use them eventually or not. also, contact the employment tribunal &/or citizens advice, for some basic advice, so at least you know where you stand. it may be that you can stay in post and do far less work for the same pay. if you want to stay, don't play into their hands. if you want to leave, leave on your own terms.
i once left a job where "they" intended to call me up in my new job, for advice/expertise, whenever they wanted. i smiled and said that's fine, and trebled my hourly rate as a consultancy fee.
find a way to make this work for you. and find a way to enjoy the options life throws at you.
good luck. and keep us posted.

Just a thought on keeping emails. I don't know about the UK as I'm in Canada, but when you are let go here, you are escorted from the buildings and have no access to personal files nor to your computer files. I had carefully kept all my emails but had become so stressed by the end of my time at that job, that I had neglected to keep up documenting my issues.

In hindsight, I should have blind copied them to my home, or kept them on a flashdrive and kept that drive in my purse. They do graciously allow you to take your purse and coat. Also, be careful to pay attention to follow-up emails. I worked at another place where my boss wasn't averse to editing earlier emails to cast herself in a more positive light.
Some bosses should come with warning signs attached!

Good luck to you.

@Bea0802. Don’t see how the OP can ‘melt into the background’ given the way she’s being undermined and the new blood already has the boss on her side. They’re already using phrases like ‘old ideas’ and talking about fresh eyes, which should ring alarm bells. Constructive dismissal claims may be regarded as a nuisance at company HR departments, but they, along with spurious ‘redundancy’ and age discriminatory policy are covered in employment law and there are consequences. I don’t think anyone should meekly take this kind of treatment and bide time until they can retire - in the OP’s case it’s obvious that this situation is going to get worse and she needs to take action to protect herself as far as she can.