What does this sound like to you?

[target2019]

I haven't done that at all. I've browsed this site during work but I've been doing that for years.

I'm on my second reading through this thread. I am thinking that a report of web sites accessed has been read by your manager or HR. The reporting of such things is very simple with current technology. Initially this may have been a simple report of top ten sites accessed across the company, but with drill down capability employer can see how many times, how long site is open, and who dunnit.

It's possible there are different threads to your situation, and you want to be sure to not overact to a single one. In the end you may unintentionally give them what they want - a reason to terminate you.

 

[travelover]

If you go to HR to complain, HR will call your manager and tell him everything you said before you get back to your desk. Then you will have twice the problems - the manager wants you gone and the manager considers you a snitch on him. I'd consult with an attorney that specializes in this kind of thing and figure out the best way to make it a bonus payday for you.

 

[explanade]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I would not be inclined to go out of the way to extract some severance package because I was starting to think about leaving in a year or so before this meeting. I think it would just make it tougher to transition away from work, to invest time, money and emotionally in some legal process to try to obtain some lump sum.

If I left, I wouldn't get any kind of severance and not sure I'd get it if I got terminated for some reason that the company considers defensible. I could consider it an injustice but in the overall scheme, I've gotten way more than I would have imagined.

Like I said, I had been thinking about it more recently, as I watched my assets grow. The things that made me hold off on taking actions were:

1. While my net worth has appreciated (about $500k over this time last year), the market is at an all-time high so I would be more comfortable to track it for another year to see if it continues.

2. Uncertainly about how health care would play out, since we're about to go through a major change.

3. Organizing my finances better. Assets are spread across several accounts and I still haven't worked out the mechanics of withdrawing, rebalancing.

Specifically, only about 15% of my assets are in 401k and IRA accounts, so I have to think about the tax implications of withdrawing, while at the same time, my taxable accounts are raising my AGI by more than 50%. This figure will only grow since I have DRIP for most of my biggest fund holdings.


Beyond finances, I haven't put much thought on how I'd spend my time, beyond assuming I'd be having a lot more leisure and travel time, time to work on various projects which have been put off for a long time, etc.

Maybe one of the first decisions on ER is whether the questions on finances or the questions on what to do need to be answered first.

 

[haha]

Companies may have a lot of attorneys, but they fear lawsuits like a beer fears a thirsty old man.

SIS

Cuidate SIS! That is sexism and ageism all rolled into one! I am almost offended!! Maybe even insufficient respect for the alcoholically impaired and possibly genetically disadvantaged! Beware the ADA!

I gotta say though, that was a nice turn of phrase.

Ha

 

[brewer12345]

Explanade, I think the message is real clear. Seems to me you have 3 choices:

1) Stock up on ammo and prepare to commit a "workplace incident" on the way out

2) Start looking for another job

3) Make the plans necessary to break open your piggy bank and retire.

Sorry. Work sucks, managers suck, HR sucks (big time), and this situation sucks. Go to a lawyer rather than HR, but I think that is a losing game. Prepare to move on to something else.

 

[growing_older]

So if you haven't received performance feedback regularly throughout the year then it is unfair to spring it on you for the first time at your annual review.

While this may offend some people's sense of fair play, it has nothing to do with the way reviews are actually conducted at many companies and whining about the unfairness of it all will not help the situation.

 

[RunningBum]

I don't know if this is the beginning of the end but it definitely is the beginning with a new supervisor. A few observations:

1. An employee shouldn't be surprised by anything that is discussed in an annual review. So if there are performance issues then these issues shouldn't go on for 4-5 months without any mention of it to the employee. So if you haven't received performance feedback regularly throughout the year then it is unfair to spring it on you for the first time at your annual review.

If you go back and read the OP, this wasn't done at an annual review. It seems to have been done specifically so this wasn't sprung as a surprise in the upcoming annual review. However, it wasn't timely with the issue, which makes it sound like the manager has decided to get rid of an employee and build a case around it, rather than the manager bringing up a performance issue needing correction.

 

[truenorth418]

I'm asking because I don't know: Is it normal for bosses to know whether you've exercised stock options? .

At my last company/MegaCorp, it was standard procedure for a manager to get a heads up when one of their direct reports cashed in a bunch of options. It was assumed that the person cashing in might be planning to leave the company.

Don't assume anything is private in a company these days.

 

[truenorth418]

I'd also suggest getting down to the nuts and bolts of your FIRE situation in case it comes to that.

Agree. Who knows what is going on in your company, but the fact that this conversation came out of the blue is not a good sign. It sounds like you have had a general interest in ER for a few years. Do yourself a favor and map out a more specific plan just in case.

 

[travelover]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I would not be inclined to go out of the way to extract some severance package because I was starting to think about leaving in a year or so before this meeting.............

Remember this when security is watching you clean out your desk before they escort you to the door. You have to look out for yourself. Your company turned this guy loose on you and as such, is not your friend. You may not be able to extract any additional severance, but wouldn't it be a lot nicer to have been briefed on strategy by a competent attorney on how to handle it to your advantage as opposed to being humiliated and tossed out like over ripe fruit?

 

[RunningBum]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I would not be inclined to go out of the way to extract some severance package because I was starting to think about leaving in a year or so before this meeting. I think it would just make it tougher to transition away from work, to invest time, money and emotionally in some legal process to try to obtain some lump sum.

I'm not too convinced on the need to see a lawyer either. It may be a wise option, but it also may be distasteful for you to leave that way, though remember that you didn't start it.

At a minimum if it becomes more clear that they are trying to push you out, you could at least ask what your incentive is to train your replacement and leave before you were ready to. The money itself was nice for me, but I found that it served as a convincing push out the door and I didn't look back and wonder whether I should've stayed longer. It showed me that the time was right and the decision was made. Emotionally it really did help me.

 

[brewer12345]

Remember this when security is watching you clean out your desk before they escort you to the door. You have to look out for yourself. Your company turned this guy loose on you and as such, is not your friend. You may not be able to extract any additional severance, but wouldn't it be a lot nicer to have been briefed on strategy by a competent attorney on how to handle it to your advantage as opposed to being humiliated and tossed out like over ripe fruit?

I find the idea of dealing with a lawyer distasteful for stuff like this, but it is probably worth having a chat with one to see if this looks like an age discrimination case. If so, get your ducks in a row and be ready. If not, get ready to move on.

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

OP, you are being played for a sucker. How many games do you want to play with them? Remember, you are playing against the house.

Run, do not walk. I hope you have marketable skills.

 

[haha]

I find the idea of dealing with a lawyer distasteful for stuff like this, but it is probably worth having a chat with one to see if this looks like an age discrimination case. If so, get your ducks in a row and be ready. If not, get ready to move on.

Usually it is lost money, but when you find a way to whack someone who is treating you badly, it's worth all the ones that didn't turn out.

Remember Joe Kennedy-don't get mad, get even. If you can, get well beyond even.

Ha

 

[brewer12345]

Usually it is lost money, but when you find a way to whack someone who is treating you badly, it's worth all the ones that didn't turn out.

Remember Joe Kennedy-don't get mad, get even. If you can, get well beyond even.

Ha

Definitely.

Personally, I would also be acquiring and deploying one of these: ThinkGeek :: The ThinkGeek Annoy-a-tron

 

[Ronstar]

Sounds like mgmt is considering cutting personnel and they're sending out feelers so that they can gather info to make the most cost effective labor cuts that they can.

 

[Urchina]

It strikes me as highly inappropriate for a manager to delve into your personal finances as part of your job review. These two things have nothing to do with each other and how much money you have in the bank is none of his business.

Depending on your mood, it might be worth a polite letter to him --

Or HR. For his file.

Good luck!

 

[Badger]

Initially, I thought if I were to leave, I'd give them a month or two for the transition (on top of the month of unused vacation). We've been burned by people leaving suddenly in the past and having to scramble.

Even if I don't feel any loyalty to management, I wouldn't want the onus to fall on my co-workers, who'd be given the divvy'd up work. You wouldn't think the management would want to have to increase the burden on them either.

But then again, maybe they wouldn't care.

And what would be the difference to how they will treat your co-workers when they tell you to clear out your desk one Friday afternoon. If they are going to screw you they won't have any remorse for doing the same to your co-workers. You don't owe them anything more notice than what is stated in your contract. However, I would want them to make the first move and maybe be on some kind of financial hook.

Cheers!