Usurped at work by younger person

Unfortunately the social contract - whereby employers looked after employees who had served faithfully - died long ago.

Ive seen a lot of threads (not just on this forum) where someone has left a stressful and demanding job, taken early retirement, and then later taken a P/T one filling the shelves in the supermarket or similar. Nothing wrong with that - goods can't sell if no one puts them out. Many older people are still physically active and need the money and the company of work.

But there is something to be said for a routine job where you turn up, do the hours, go home and forget about it! It will help pay the bills and leave you free to develop other interests. You just have to get past the feeling that you are no longer valued or "on the scrap heap".

New bosses want new, young workers they can train to “their”way of working, which means the old guard get sidelined, not promoted regardless of being more experienced. It’s going to happen to many of us male and female, I did nearly 40 yrs NHS, continuous cost cutting and never enough staff to do job properly. Too much stress so took early retirement and drew the pension, content doing easy part time now.

I too found myself sidelined in a career because my type of professional qualifications had been overtaken by a degree. I decided with regret that it would be necessary for me to step off the professional ladder from 3/4 years and gain a degree. In my case I felt angry and bitter that the the employer was cynically writing off experienced and qualified staff members in favour of younger incomers who had a bit of paper we did not have. I wasnt the only person affected.

While I was applying to universities I began to gradually slack off and disengage from my efforts in work. I stopped doing any "extras" and simply worked the hours I was paid for. I slowed down to half speed. I no longer volunteered to organize this and that or offered my advice and expertise. So some things were left undone and piled up. I watched this happening without regret because I knew that part of the job was behind me. I treated the job as other posters have suggested here. Think of what happens as preparation for the road to retirement and the process of gradually letting go in your case. This will give you more time to develop other interests and relationships which will eventually replace the job.

I gained high academic honours in university and became an academic. I never returned to my former role. When I did eventually retire from employed work I established my own small business. So a new direction.

I'm afraid that I have found that confronting things head on and dealing with them honestly is NOT an effective way to work. It is the way I am, but so many colleagues are not honest. I realised this years ago when there was an upcoming promotion at work. 3 of us applied for it. One was the favourite and was in the bosses pocket. She had several private meetings with him and was tipped for the promotion. I grumbled to a colleague about this and lo and behold, my comment was passed on as gossip (this was not my intention, I was just having a chat). The gossip obviously reached management and they clearly decided that they couldn't be seen to show favouritism and she didn't get the promotion (I didn't either, BUT the person that did won it on merit, which was OK with me).

Same thing happened again where I work now. One employee was a back stabber. Constantly feeding back to management about other employees. One of whom broke under the pressure, had a breakdown and probably won't return to work. This time, I talked to another colleague, passing on the 'other side' about the back stabber and also letting the colleague know how the BS was not performing well (missing shifts, acting inappropriately). Lo and behold, the BS was sacked after 6 months. To be honest, I thought he was getting away with it and was just keeping my head down, but then... he was gone.

Let me add, I don't like working this way. I would much rather work in a meritocracy and as part of a good team, but unfortunately, it's a dog eat dog world.

If the new Boss is also younger than you, I'm afraid you're on the losing side here. I've found that, whenever I've had to go for a interview and the 'Manager' is in his/her 20/30's you know full well that you will not get that job. Think about it! If you came up with a more experienced and workable vision it will undermine the younger people. I would keep a journal as Nonogran said but consider looking at something else that may be less money but also less stress until you reach SPA. No point arriving at SPA only to be suffering burn-out. If you havent got long to go I would say concentrate on what kind of retirement you want to enjoy.

I agree with previous advice and keep a journal of what has happened on a daily basis. It does sound as though they are trying to push you out! Don’t let them, although you say it is not a union matter, if you are a member speak with them as constructive dismissal is a union matters d you will have support from them, if you aren’t in a union then join now and ask for their help. Your company will have to be answerable for their actions, it is making you unsettled in your job, it might be that you want to leave after what has happened but you will be entitled to compensation if you have been treated unfairly. I am not normally a fan of unions but I think you could benefit from being in one. Good luck, don’t let the b......s get you down as the saying goes.

I'm late coming to this but know if you want to allege constructive dismissal you do need a lot of evidence, so the advice on logging incidents is very valuable. I don't think this one instance would provide enough reason. Details are here www.gov.uk/dismissal/unfair-and-constructive-dismissal
I would suggest that perhaps you could try being as supportive as possible to the young person. She's probably waiting for you to get back at her, not fulfilling her expectations will completely confuse her.
As you said work roles are quite flexible could you perhaps look carefully to see if there is something else you could take on? Throwing yourself into something new might bring you more work satisfaction (and show you are still a person to be reckoned with) Good Luck!

...and by whom it was done. You have clarified that for me so thank you.
There are more important things going on in the world right now and I hope you lovely people stay safe and well.

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has posted such kindness and good counsel. It has made me feel so much better. It does make me sad to hear that my experience is shared by so many others but I'm heartened by the resilience so many of you describe and applaud the solutions you have found. What has risen to the surface for me is that it's not so much about what was done but how it was done

Such interesting post!

For you lifebeginsat60

How awful for you Jelly

I'm in a young persons world of business. I turned 66yrs in Feb. and am most likely the oldest in all the teams, but with the most knowledge in my field. Off work for almost a year due to the lockdown. Never thought about retiring when I got my state pension [no other pension], thought I'd carry on as usual. But this last year, with stopping my very busy working life, has made me feel my age and has made me think about fully retiring.

Work coming back in now, so will continue part time, as everything is completely deferent now anyway, and won't get all my work back. So I have many that I have taught seemingly superseding me, but thankfully lots see my 50yrs knowledge more appealing & rewarding, then the new.

QuotePeasblossom Sun 04-Apr-21 13:35:25
New bosses tend to do this. They want to build “their team”

I have this too. Our coordinator has a very difficult job, so we tend to get a big turn over of them. I'm freelance, so this happens in the 4 places of my work. A new co. will come in, we have to have a meeting of introduction [again!] They then re-do the schedule without much or any consultation. I/we then have to re-schedule our whole weeks work to fit in this new one, around our already established one!!

Haven't read past first page, but very good advise. I know how you feel due to another situation in my life, not work though, but feeling that my position in the family was being superseded by a newbie.

Best of luck with dealing with this xx

I too went through a similar situation. I left, It was a weight off my mind, I hadn't realised how awful it was until I left. I discussed the financial issues with my husband, and we decided we could cope on on salary, (family having flown the nest some time ago) and with his solid support I went to art school and have never felt happier.
Incidentally, my husband took early retirement (with a golden handshake)
It seemed a big step at the time, and I later found that the young man who I partnered with blamed me for all his mistakes! Good luck

I'd look for another job just to tide me over until retirement. I certainly wouldn't stay to be humiliated like that. They can't even be honest about the situation. It's disgusting, I hope they fail miserably.

You're reaching the end of your working life. Of course your replacement is being considered. It doesn't sound like you're being pushed out, but it's perfectly natural that you're being expected to help train and develop her. Try not to take it as an insult.

Yes, it could be a Union matter, but first arrange a meeting with your new boss to 'clarify your role'. Take notes and make it clear that you feel you have been left out of discussion about the new work plan. Email boss afterwards with outline of what you have discussed/agreed - an email is as legally binding as a letter. If you have any concerns about being manoeuvred out of your role include them in the email. Then keep your own notes if there are any future problems. But try and embrace your role and keep positive so you can't be accused of not being a team player. Hopefully there is plenty of work for all of 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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

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!