I have been with my company for over 25 years.

Anonymous

June 14,2023 at 10:55PM UTC

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I have been with my company for over 25 years. I have started at the bottom and gone up in the company and enjoy what I do. I went back to school to get my bachelor’s degree in data Analytics in hopes I can find a different position within the company to try something completely different than what I do. My current role has a lot of long days and weekends which we are salary. My boss and director know I am going to school for data analytics and know it will take me some time because I am going part time. Recently, my boss took all my responsibilities away from me and put me in a role that see demeaning. I now feel like I give no value to my area and not allowed to assist on anything I enjoy doing. They even taken my reports I do away that I loved because it helped me with my future goals. Others in the company were told not to come to me for assistance which breaks my heart because I worked so hard to get respect from others in my career. I have no idea why this is happening, but I am completely miserable. I did try to speak to my boss about this but my feelings got in the way and wasn’t a good conversation. At the end of the day, I was told I will be doing this new role and someone else will be taking over my roles. Not sure what I should do. I am a terrible interviewer and have about 2 more years to get my degree and try for a new position. I only have about 8 to 10 years left to work which some might wonder why even get your bachelor’s degree, but it is a personal goal of mine and looking forward to something new. I do love my company and have great benefits and would hate to leave. I worked so hard for respect by others in my company and I feel like my boss has just ruined my career. I am the only woman in our unit, and I feel like I am getting treated like a pee-on instead of an equal. I work very hard and put in a lot of hours and never complain. This new role they gave me has made me work even hard and I don’t even like it. the others in my unit get extra pay at times, but not me which I find is very unfair. Hoping someone has some miracle words to help me figure out what I can do.

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AnonymousJune 15,2023 at 3:14AM UTC
I could have written that - from over 20 years with a stellar reputation, amazing analytics, only woman down to the undermined by a boss and being a poor interviewee. My husband said my director was jealous of, or intimidated by, me. In the minimum he was a really bad manager. I had my integrity with me and nothing to lose, so took a stand for fairness, quit under duress and filed an EEOC complaint (wish I had filed Dept of Labor also). I am now recreating myself at an inclusive company making 30% more. My journey there was a handful of crappy interviews, one job offer rescinded in the last hour, a gov't resource to help me script appropriate self-aware responses and finally a personal lead that is this wonderful opportunity I took to innovate and grow. Wishing you find where you are valued and can thrive within your company or with a new one. It may not be easy, but it is possible. Sorry for the current betrayal.
Denise WozniakJune 15,2023 at 12:24PM UTC
thank you for the kind words, i sure needed to hear that. it gives me some hope.
Judith ObatusaJune 15,2023 at 2:23PM UTC
I was in your position emotionally for a while because of similar treatment and though I am still in the same organization, I changed me and am happier. I started to work to let go of the hurt and pain that the "betrayal" brought by focusing on my professional and personality strengths. I asked people I had worked with and friends and family what they thought I was good at and also redid a personality test on 16personalities.com. This helped remind me of the goodness in me and built up my confidence. I also found some groups on Facebook where I met women who were like me and that made me realize I was not the problem.With much prayers and self reflection, I then decided that I will show up as myself everyday and everywhere, unashamedly and authentically because I knew I could not thrive if I was trying to fit into an imperfect human's idea of who I should be. I identified my personal value - LOVE - and showed up everywhere as a loving, love bringer who loved on others despite their behaviour and biases. I was 50 then, I am now 52 and it's been an amazing journey. The more I wanted to be me, the more resources to help me came my way. As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher will come.It was then I got enough confidence to start job hunting. I was blessed when ChatGPT came along and I use it to vet my resume, develop custom cover letters, and prepare for job tests and interviews. It's my personal job coach.I am still praying for a new job but am better where I am. I also now coach other women as a side hustle and started a podcast to help women in abusive situations. Since the trouble at work started, I have co-authored 4 anthologies.If you ask me what helped me most, I will say learning about myself, focusing on the goodness in me and showing up as my authentic self. Just seeing how my goodness was helping others in other spaces made me know that my job was just another thing I did and their treatment or mistreatment was not my identity and did not define me. I pray that you get your own turnaround too.
AnonymousJune 15,2023 at 6:04PM UTC
Thank you that was amazing what you said. You are right, be the best me is what i need to remind myself. Thanks for this i sure did need to hear it.
AnonymousJune 15,2023 at 6:30PM UTC
Have you spoken to a labor lawyer? To me this sounds a bit like age discrimination. Unless you have done something that is going to have you on a performance plan then ask for details unemotionally about why they are stripping your work and giving it to others. Do this before they terminate you and let them know you are speaking to a lawyer about ageism. Good luck and congratulations on taking the leap for yourself to get that degree!!!
AnonymousJune 16,2023 at 11:15AM UTC
NEVER suggest jumping on the 'contact a labor lawyer' train. Assumptions will only creative more anxiety. If you've been there so long you probably have allies that you can partner with and confide in. Speak with your employee relations or HR partners, go to your leaders leader. Pause and think about what your goal is here and present that.
AnonymousJune 16,2023 at 1:36PM UTC
I went through something similar when I started my doctorate program. The company was going through a leadership change, and I used that as the excuse at first, but as time went on, and I asked to do any special projects that could contribute to projects I was working on, they wouldn't even read (or at least acknowledge) the reports I gave them. The last one I did, I just wrote a one-paragraph summary and told them I would send the full report if they wanted. They never asked. I retired from there last year, and hindsight tells me it was ageism, as all of those I started with are gone, and most of the company is being replenished with interns after their internship.
Sally GriffithJune 16,2023 at 1:39PM UTC
Your college may also offer career services including helping people learn interviewing skills and practicing prepping for interviews.
Rebecca MillikenJune 16,2023 at 2:33PM UTC
My sister encountered a similar situation a few years ago. She was in her mid 50s at the time. My brother who is a lawyer (though not an expert in labor issues) told her it is very difficult to prove sex or age discrimination and it's a long road. My sister also has a health condition and was being penalized for that, which is easier to prove but still, it was not worth it to her to go through the fight. She was ultimately forced to resign and though she had a couple hard years she is now doing fine as a freelancer and much happier.
I had similar experiences a couple years ago (in my mid-50s as well). After what I saw my sister go through, I decided to look for another job. Much happier now, working with all women mostly my age.
Good luck on your journey with school and please take care you yourself! Remember who YOU are.
Mary MeffeJune 18,2023 at 3:03PM UTC
You started at the bottom and worked your way up. You are now at the point where your current education and ability have landed you. The way to achieve more is to learn more. Concentrate now on finishing your degree and on improving your in-person and written communication skills.
Think of your current job as the way to get more to live and pay for your education.
AnonymousJune 18,2023 at 3:23PM UTC
Concentrate now on finishing your degree. Make a goal to improve your written communication skills. Take some courses in English and in business writing. Your college counselor can point you to what will help. You might find your new job in the same company o4 may end up in a completely different company.
Use your current job to get money that will pay for your living and for your education. It is not making you happy so concentrate on getting one that will make you happy. The respect you are craving will come naturally as you improve your skills and knowledge. Make yourself an expert in your new field. Study hard and get excellent grades.
You may be surprised that you are still in demand and making an excellent salary in your 70’s and beyond. The old idea of being finished at 65 was determined when average death was at 66. People were able to have a year off before they died. Now people live much longer and are productive and happy workers for much longer. Getting your degree now makes perfect sense.
Many people who are alive today will live to about 100 years old. At 50 you have only reached the halfway point. You can learn, grow, and make the last half much happier and more fulfilling than the first.
AnonymousJune 18,2023 at 4:16PM UTC
From their point of view, it's preparing for the day you leave the department or organization. From your point of view, if you don't see a lateral opportunity, it's time to leave. Stop putting in any work beyond your 40 hours, concentrate on your education, and start building a portfolio by volunteering for an organization that needs some data analysis.
They're giving you a strong signal. Pay attention to it!