I’m so tired and mentally exhausted. After 12 years with this company, I’ve seen many changes and always been able to go with the flow. I’ve been promoted many times with good raises and bonuses. Then 3 years ago they brought in a Chief Human Capital executive who brought in all of these people that he worked with at other companies. We went from a 5 person dept to 30. All came in with 6 figure salaries. Those of us that have been here saw our raises & bonuses decrease significantly. He just brought in a Benefits Director at $221,000 . She had come in like a bull in a china shop. She is extremely rude, condescending, demanding, & just a bitch. She acts like she knows everything when she was proven over & over, she is all talk. She has made our life so miserable. One coworker quit already. She said nobody is going to talk to me like that. I can’t quit. I am a widower. I don’t have savings as my husband died from cancer & all our resources went to that. To top it off, I’m 67 and was looking to retire in 3 years. I had a plan to get everything paid off in that 3 years so I could do that, but it seems nothing is working as planned. My mind is so cluttered with all she is demanding, I can’t think straight . I’m now on anxiety medication and just don’t know what to do at this point. Our company just lost a contract and we expect to lose more in the near future which will have a major impact on our company. I’m thinking I just need to ride it out & just let them lay me off.

10 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 27,2024 at 2:10PM UTC

   There’s a new sheriff in town, and this regime has the full backing of the big boss. This won’t change and they’ve been very clear that they don’t care if people quit because of it.

   I’m sure others here will tell you to start documenting every interaction, go to an employment attorney for a consult, consider ageism, etc. you know the rinse and repeat on this board.

   If this were me and I was trying to ride out the final three years here (because I do agree it will be challenging to find another job) I’d do exactly what was required, I’d keep my head down, and STFU. I’d do my best to blend in and remain focused on the prize.

   I also agree with you that I’d let the place fire me and offer a severance package rather than leave without something else lined up. I’d also do everything possible to keep personal expenses low to stay focused on debt repayment.

   Best wishes to you, truly.

2. AnonymousJuly 27,2024 at 2:30PM UTC

   While all of this going on. I sugest you do or think about the following:

   1.Seek counseling.

   2.Look for other opportunities.

   3.Ride the wave - if they do let people go, there should be severance package to go with it. Some companies are cheap and will try to slide by with one week paid for each year of service. Push hard for at least 2 weeks and don't be afraid to throw the age card if they won't get to that amount.

   4. If let go vs quitting you will be eligible collect unemployment .

   5. Quitting basically gets you nothing - financially.

   6. Do not let them mark you as retired if you leave, that will definitely not allow you to collect unemployment.

   7. If you are bonus eligible and know those rules. In my company if I "retire" before the completion of the bonus period and was marked as retire on the reason, I will collect a bonus on wages earned until that point. So think long and hard about the package vs outright retiring.

   8. hang in there and do your job as listed in the job description and keep a journal on the harassment/hostilities. Day and times and names of witnesses.

3. Heather CutlerJuly 27,2024 at 2:58PM UTC

   Great advice!

4. AnonymousJuly 27,2024 at 9:27PM UTC

   While your in a tough spot you can make it easier on yourself by focusing on you.

   Do what you can and track your progress instead of allowing your mind to get cluttered and your emotions get overwhelmed.

   Don't focus on what you can't control. She has been encouraged to be a badass. She knows leadership has supported her so she is emboldened. Don't give her cause to target you.

   Don't be a victim here. To ride things out concentrate on the high value work. Stop looking at what used to be....and understand the rules of now. You work at a very different company. All of this has been encouraged by leadership. So be part of the change. Take care of yourself. See your doctor. Seek counseling for your anxiety and fear of the future. Work to create a plan of balance. Get a routine of exercise, nutrition and create a hobby that brings you outdoors for fresh air. Connect with others and don't talk about work. Seek support for your struggles like a group of widows to share whare works. You'd be surprised at how valuable a like minded community can be. Build joy and support to balance your personal life and work life. I've found doing these things reduced my worry about work and fear of what might happen in the future. I focused on the present and rested my worry.

5. AnonymousJuly 28,2024 at 12:26PM UTC

   This is excellent advice, thank you for sharing!

6. AnonymousJuly 27,2024 at 9:40PM UTC

   I’m so sorry you are going through this. I’m seeing this more and more with companies and it isnt right. Take care of your first. do you have a hobby your love doing? drive into that.

7. AnonymousJuly 27,2024 at 9:54PM UTC

   (a) At 67, your only option is to ride it out.

   (b) While it riding out, save every dime you can! Live a monastic life and be ready (financially and mentally) to be laid off.

8. Elise PilkingtonJuly 28,2024 at 12:36PM UTC

   Such good advice here! I rode out 5 years to retirement with a terrible boss. They did everything possible to discourage me; impossible assignments, vague and unrealistic critique of my performance, even a PIP also with vague criteria for improvement. One thing I learned to do was document every success and every goal reached. Document all positive feedback from others (especially those at or above the supervisor's level). It will be difficult to discriminate against you if you keep your performance up and you can prove it with numbers vs. nebulous impressions. If the day comes when the company must let people go you may have an option for a settlement, which could accelerate your timeline (12 years x 1 month salary cuts a year off the 3 years). If you quit you will get nothing but a "good luck".

9. AnonymousJuly 29,2024 at 2:05PM UTC

   I would respectfully say to hire a counselor to help you sort it all out. This sounds incredibly stressful and you need someone in your corner. If it were me I would ride it out and do my best to ignore the politics. I am so sorry this is happening.

10. AnonymousJuly 29,2024 at 2:48PM UTC

    Just because one gets laid off doesn't ensure any financial security. With that being said, you can retire now. Get a financial advisor, look at your retirement and your social security amounts. Or if you think you can ride it out, do so, but know it will take a huge toll on your mental well being. Decide what is the most important to you. You could retire now and then get another job to make ends meet where you will be happier. Retiring doesn't mean not working. You can still earn money. Look at your social security amounts and limitations. Hang in there!