Was Going To FIRE Until This Happened (Work Related)

[RxMan]

I wonder if they are hoping you’d just quit so they wouldn’t have to give you a package? I’d stay for as long as you can stand it and get paid to surf the net or plan your retirement. And I agree, get the stapler!

 

[38Chevy454]

I would stay and spend the time surfing the net, making all sorts of plans, learning about new things i have interest in. Yeah you still have to actually show up and be at work, but it's zero stress and full paycheck. So let the easy money roll on. IF you are lucky they will offer the severance sooner than later. It's not your problem that your workload went to near zero.

 

[badatmath]

Consider hard if you want Cobra - might be worth hanging on for that.

 

[Helena]

.

Enjoy it while it lasts... look busy when the boss is around... and stop complaining to management you have nothing to do !!

 

[CRLLS]

Been there. I was given a 6 month's notice with a "package" at the end if I stuck it out. I was part of their contingency plan in case things didn't work out or the SHTF on something I worked on. It was the most boring time of my career. I hated it. At the 11th hour, 2 days before my end date, I was given a 1 month extension, then another extension. Eventually again a couple of days before my revised termination date, I was given a full time employment offer. That lasted 1-1/2 years before they shut down that office.

If you are truly financially ready to retire, I would do it now. Stick to your plan even if the timeframe was moved up a couple of months earlier than expected. Why waste your last "x days" doing nothing but showing up and playing solitaire when you could be doing what you had planned on, retiring and enjoying life instead of just watching it pass by.

 

[jIMOh]

You might try not going in on a day and see if they notice.

If they don't notice, then just stay and home and keep collecting paychecks... respond promptly to emails and voice mails.

+1

 

[zedd]

See if they will let you "work" from home.

+1

 

[jIMOh]

I’ve been in a similar situation. Just work from home 4 days a week, pop in the office for one half day per week just to see what’s up.

+1

 

[griffithee]

Bring in some kettlebells and workout bands. And a change of clothes. You could get shredded and have the company pay for it. Take long lunches. Enroll in some online classes and learn some new skills or about something you have always wanted to learn. Learn how to make more money online and do that while at work (double dipping as it were). Download the kindle app to your computer and read every book you ever wanted to read. (impossible, I know, but give it a shot).

 

[leftyfrizzell1963]

I’m wondering if they are holding back because I have been with the company over 30 years and they are just letting my time here play itself out knowing that I’m about 2 years away from Medicare (65) and most likely retirement, although I find that hard to believe cause Business is business after all.

I have not given them any indication of my retirement plans. I have kept my mouth shut.

Since you have been with the company so long, and so close to retirement, I'm thinking they are having 2 thoughts for keeping you on.

1) Let him stay on for 2 years and avoid the potential ageism lawsuit.
2) or repaying your loyalty with loyalty to let you retire when you are ready.

Since you haven't discussed this, its probably the former versus the latter.

However, when I was an intern at a large company when I was in college, I was aware of where they did put some executive that had his whole career there off to the side. He wasn't in charge of anything. They gave him minimum tasks, and unimportant work. They were running the department (IT) without him. Technology had definitely left this guy behind...but they let him stay on, but I don't know for how long, as I wasn't there long. I'm not implying this is you, but just saying it could be number 2 above.

 

[CRLLS]

Since you have been with the company so long, and so close to retirement, I'm thinking they are having 2 thoughts for keeping you on.

1) Let him stay on for 2 years and avoid the potential ageism lawsuit.
2) or repaying your loyalty with loyalty to let you retire when you are ready.

Since you haven't discussed this, its probably the former versus the latter.

However, when I was an intern at a large company when I was in college, I was aware of where they did put some executive that had his whole career there off to the side. He wasn't in charge of anything. They gave him minimum tasks, and unimportant work. They were running the department (IT) without him. Technology had definitely left this guy behind...but they let him stay on, but I don't know for how long, as I wasn't there long. I'm not implying this is you, but just saying it could be number 2 above.

In agreement with #1 above, Maybe, just maybe, they are keeping you on as evidence, should it ever be challenged, that the restructuring was not a age discrimination restructuring. Stranger things have happened.


Ahh, the old "reassigned to special projects, reporting directly to the president" scheme. I've seen that done a few times. They were in and out of the office at irregular times. Soon, they didn't show up at work at all and was never heard of again.

 

[Clone]

I had a minor role as engineering support for a segment of a commodity. There was a big supply management sourcing project to identify the landscape and propose supply chain strategy. It took a few trips, but after a while I figured out that this was basically a group of about 6 supply management folks that were given this task to keep them busy. They were traveling the world on a regular basis and touring assorted companies that were tangentially related to the commodity in question. At one point, they even added 'searching for the world's best tiramisu' to their mission. I made about 4 trips inside the US with them, then got off the entourage list. I had work to do.


Never underestimate the ability of management to make strange decisions!


There were many years where I was overwhelmed with work, I would have welcomed a breather. At the same time, if having an assignment with no deliverables is causing you stress, then maybe it is time to get out. You don't worry about the value to the company; that is covered by folks above you. You need to look at the amount of money vs stress vs time constraints vs your list of things to do & goals.

 

[RunningBum]

I had something similar. My boss wanted me to stay because when something did come up, it was often a fire that I was by far the best to put out. That made it worth it for him to keep me on. He said he didn't care if I did nothing when there was no fire. I was also telecommuting so no need to look busy. So I'd just check email a few times throughout the day and make sure I didn't disappear for too long in case something did come up. I'd also check it once or twice in the off hours, because I could save a day if I immediately asked for clarifying information that could be waiting for me in the morning. But I didn't worry if I didn't get around to checking in the evenings.

Eventually there was almost nothing to do and they gave me an exit package. Not as good as some of the packages they were giving to over 50s, which I didn't quite qualify for, but my last few years were at least semi-retired.

 

[Starper]

Ptf

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Why? Years ago, there was no Internet hence the boredom would be excruciating.

Now, the OP can just surf the Web, read this forum, and make some posts. Amazing how 8 hours can go by so fast, then it's time for him to go home.

Yes, that was years ago w/o Internet so that would make a difference compared to today. There were only so many trade magazines I could read back then.

OTOH at this point in my life I don't think I would accept an offer to chain my leg to a desk even with unlimited entertainment 40 hours a week for, say, $100k/yr. A lump sum of several hundred grand or free health insurance for several years, maybe. But that's just me; OP will have to decide for themselves, of course.

 

[JLoft]

Hang in there a bit if you can stand it (if as asked above the potential package is good enough).

A guy in my bowling league had a union desk job. Eventually technology took over and he could do his formerly 40-hour workweek in just ten hours. He just did what he wanted the other thirty. Company could do nothing because he was union. Well, until he filled his days watching porn....

 

[catii]

If you are truly financially ready to retire, I would do it now. Stick to your plan even if the timeframe was moved up a couple of months earlier than expected. Why waste your last "x days" doing nothing but showing up and playing solitaire when you could be doing what you had planned on, retiring and enjoying life instead of just watching it pass by.

+1

 

[joeea]

So I come to work, hang out, surf the net, read this forum, do personal stuff, all of which my boss said he has no problem with cause he knows, basically I do not have much to do and he thinks at some point they will get around to me, or will they (?).

My wife thinks I should just set a date and quit if this keeps on much longer. I’m thinking they are giving me a strange kind of pre-severance package right now, by showing up and doing nothing most of the time and paying me for it.

Is that really the way you want to spend your days - doing nothing?

You should listen to your wife.

 

[SpinDoctorTX]

There was a time when the company I work for laid off only people that they didn't suspect would retire in a year or two.

They figured, why pay severance when these people will be gone in a year or two anyway? So the people with high financial need were laid off and the people that would be ok financially either had to stay or retire without the package.

That was just fantastic for morale.

That's more or less what happened at my company. I finally just gave them the heave ho, which they were counting on I'm sure. They then split my job between two junior employees, so at least in the short term paid more. I'm so glad to be out of corp. America where so little makes sense.

 

[Bruizer]

+1

If you are truly financially ready to retire, I would do it now. Stick to your plan even if the timeframe was moved up a couple of months earlier than expected. Why waste your last "x days" doing nothing but showing up and playing solitaire when you could be doing what you had planned on, retiring and enjoying life instead of just watching it pass by.

+2

You're a slave to the time required to get to and be at your desk. Free yourself!

 

[Chuckanut]

Hey, you've worked yourself into a "Wally" position! What's not to like?

+1

Precisely! You have worked yourself into a position where you have no effect on anything.

Now, just find a way to do it remotely, and you will have FIRE'd and out wallyed Wally.

 

[brett]

I suspect this decision really depends on whether you are ready to retire and if you are in that mind space. Plus the opinion of your spouse.

I decided to wait. I knew it would come. It took about 15 months. But the payback for me was severance of almost 2 years of salary, additional DB pension entitlements, etc.

We used those 15 or so months of time to do some planning and to get in the frame so to speak. We started the process of downsizing, clearing out years of unwanted items from our large home. Then preparing to sell...paining and yard work. During that time I was able to take a vacation without a care in the world or a thought of what awaited me when I returned to work. We also used the time to research and plan seven months in international post retirement travel.

Looking back....am I glad I waited for the package. You bet. It was akin the winning the lottery. But I used the time to may advantage. So when the package came I was essentially on 'starters orders' and ready to start retirement with the lifestyle and financial plan in place.

Everyone's personal situation is different, as is their financial situation. I suspect you know what is right for you. Whatever you decide, don't look in the rear view mirror. Even if you decide to remain at work now, you are still free to change your decision in six months. You are in the driver's so take advantage of it.

 

[dirtbiker]

Sounds like you've got a great problem to have! I would absolutely positively stick this one out. Worst case scenario is nothing happens and you keep getting paid to do nothing until you get bored and quit. The possibility of a sweet severance is too good not to at least wait it out a bit longer.

And don't mention a word to anyone about the R word. Let them think you're ready to keep working in perpetuity.

 

[Canoeboy]

There could be several reasons why they are keeping you in limbo, wanting you long-term is likely not one of them.

Do you know what the severance program is? The megaCorp I was with had a published plan so I knew exactly what I would get based on years of service. Having witnessed several rounds of RIF in the years leading up to my departure I know they would bundle the RIF’s when they could (large number of layoffs at one time rather than staggered). In my case, the department I was with was going through a long planned leadership transition. At first the new leader was hoping I would go on my own (mostly because of the expense), but then I made a case to him and HR that I should be offered a package. I made it clear I was not leaving on my own along with explaining how I was previously discriminated on based on age.

If there is a substantial payout with a RIF, I would play it cool and wait. Most all severance contracts contain confidentiality clauses along with waiving your rights to make claims going forward. Despite being closed-lipped they may have caught on that you were going to retire on your own.

 

[HawkeyeNFO]

Sounds like my job on many days.