Kink in the Old Retirement Plan

[akck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvrClrx311 Since you can leave anytime you're in a powerful position... I'd go with the "How about I don't take that job, but you increase my pay to what it would be if I did... otherwise I'm out" talk about the best of both worlds

Thanks, but that won't work here. Threats to quit don't work. What might work is quitting and they ask you to stay, but there's the chance they won't ask.

I really need to put in at least another year in order to retire, but it is good to know I can retire 4-6 months earlier than planned. I've been able to put up with a Wicked Witch of the West for a boss for a year, so I figure I can do it again. Besides, if I put in and don't get, there's always a chance I get the Best Boss in the World and can retire as planned.

[akck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2B Just because they are running an ad doesn't mean that they won't fill it internally. They may just want to see what is available from the outside. If a superstar shows up, they would go with them. If they aren't overwhelmed, you may still get a visit. You didn't say anywhere that I saw about how old you are. If you are too close to "normal" retirement age, they may take a pass on you because they want someone that can "grow" with the organization. If you're 63 they are pretty sure that you won't still be around to go two or three levels above your boss' level. They won't put it that way but age discrimination is alive and well. From a corporate succession planning point, I can't say that it isn't all bad either.

True, but in most places I've worked, they usually give internal candidates a shot first. They do that here on occasion too.

Normal retirement for me is 60 and I'm about 2 years out. Higher level turnover was almost non-existent, but we are starting to see the effects of Baby Boomers retiring. While I understand why they may want someone who can be around a lot longer, there is something to be said for minimizing disruption of two higher levels leaving at the same time. If they pick the wrong person, they could face a mass of early retires and resignations.

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akck True, but in most places I've worked, they usually give internal candidates a shot first. They do that here on occasion too.

Even if I'd made up my mind to go outside and pass on internal candidates, I'd have let the candidates know my intentions and been prepared to tell them why they were not being considered and what they needed to do to be considered next time. IMO, it's the decent thing for a Manager to do, and he/she owes as much to current employees.

You shouldn't have been blindsided unless you've already made it very clear you were not interested, and then I'd have simply told you as a courtesy.

[akck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack Even if I'd made up my mind to go outside and pass on internal candidates, I'd have let the candidates know my intentions and been prepared to tell them why they were not being considered and what they needed to do to be considered next time. IMO, it's the decent thing for a Manager to do, and he/she owes as much to current employees. You shouldn't have been blindsided unless you've already made it very clear you were not interested, and then I'd have simply told you as a courtesy.

I wasn't totally blindsided because with a new department boss, I expected they would advertise. I agree common courtesy would have been for them to keep us informed and it's not as if they didn't have the chance to do so.

[growing_older]

I was in a similar situation, where the job was advertised and all internal candidates were encouraged to apply, but told there would be an external search anyway. As it turned out, there was an internal candidate who was favored to get the job, and in the first six months he made sure to get rid of all the other internal candidates who wanted his post. Your company politics may vary, but things aren't always obvious.

[obgyn65]

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midpack If that was the plan (and it could well be), I'd have the courtesy to let any and all potential internal candidates know before looking outside and posting an ad regardless of any career discussions we may have had. And I've actually done exactly that several times. What's the downside of treating co-workers at any level with some decency and transparency?

[2B]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akck Normal retirement for me is 60 and I'm about 2 years out. Higher level turnover was almost non-existent, but we are starting to see the effects of Baby Boomers retiring.

I have no idea what industry you are in but I suspect you are lumped in with "about to retire anyway" people. You are expected to be a good little plow horse and dutifully do your job for a couple more years to let your new (much younger) bosses come up to speed. Excuse my blutness but I suspect you are considered expendable. I suspect that they didn't talk to you about getting your boss' job because they never thought about you getting it or wanting it.

Of course, I'm 60 and my company considers me essential to their operations. Actually, I used to have an "important, senior management postion" in a large international company; but in a company reorg about 10 years ago, I was informed as to how important I really was. Fortunately, I just happen to have the right degree and the vestiges of a scarce skill set so I can get billed out to unsuspecting clients. I'm FI and I don't care if they run me off. The w*rk is easy and I can't spend all the money they give me. If this job wasn't so easy and flexible, I'm sure I would have retired long ago. God save me from anything resembling my past life.

[mh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by obgyn65 +1

I agree that it would have been better to talk you about it prior to the ad.

[akck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2B I have no idea what industry you are in but I suspect you are lumped in with "about to retire anyway" people. You are expected to be a good little plow horse and dutifully do your job for a couple more years to let your new (much younger) bosses come up to speed. Excuse my blutness but I suspect you are considered expendable. I suspect that they didn't talk to you about getting your boss' job because they never thought about you getting it or wanting it. Of course, I'm 60 and my company considers me essential to their operations. Actually, I used to have an "important, senior management postion" in a large international company; but in a company reorg about 10 years ago, I was informed as to how important I really was. Fortunately, I just happen to have the right degree and the vestiges of a scarce skill set so I can get billed out to unsuspecting clients. I'm FI and I don't care if they run me off. The w*rk is easy and I can't spend all the money they give me. If this job wasn't so easy and flexible, I'm sure I would have retired long ago. God save me from anything resembling my past life.

I work in government if that makes any difference. While my choice would have been to delay all of this to the point where any outcome wouldn't matter, self-preservation has kicked in and applying will throw a kink into their plan, if they have one.

I've never considered myself essential in any job. I've seen too many people who thought they were, only to be looking for another job. I did have some comfort when one company I left ended up hiring two people to do the all of the functions I did there.

In my current job, I know there are people who can replace me, but not many will do it for the salary range I'm in and would likely have only half my skill set (job actually pays well for half my skill set). So one factor in their thinking may be that I won't be cheaply replaced.

[2B]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akck In my current job, I know there are people who can replace me, but not many will do it for the salary range I'm in and would likely have only half my skill set (job actually pays well for half my skill set). So one factor in their thinking may be that I won't be cheaply replaced.

I suspect you are giving them more credit than they deserve. This is especially true since your boss and your boss' boss have left. The next level above that probably has no clue what you do and doesn't really care.

Yes, I have a problem with my cynacism; but with everything going on in the world today, I can't keep up.

[akck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by growing_older I was in a similar situation, where the job was advertised and all internal candidates were encouraged to apply, but told there would be an external search anyway. As it turned out, there was an internal candidate who was favored to get the job, and in the first six months he made sure to get rid of all the other internal candidates who wanted his post. Your company politics may vary, but things aren't always obvious.

In an earlier job, I went through something similar too, so I chose not to apply. I'm sure if I applied, I'd have been out quickly too. The person selected did nothing but play politics, taking credit for everything good and passing down blame for anything bad. I ended up leaving after a year anyway.

[akck]

Well, just to give everyone an update, I did apply for my boss's position, had a good interview, but they gave it to someone else. If I had to guess, age played a part in the decision. It now looks good for an earlier retirement in middle of 2013 versus the end.

[Surfdaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akck Well, just to give everyone an update, I did apply for my boss's position, had a good interview, but they gave it to someone else. If I had to guess, age played a part in the decision. It now looks good for an earlier retirement in middle of 2013 versus the end.

I'm sure it will be a blessing in disguise.

Of course, you might love the new boss, too. Getting paid more but handling all of the stress you don't want.

[MichaelB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akck Well, just to give everyone an update, I did apply for my boss's position, had a good interview, but they gave it to someone else. If I had to guess, age played a part in the decision. It now looks good for an earlier retirement in middle of 2013 versus the end.

Thanks for the update. Hope you have steady sailing 'til then.

[Brett_Cameron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB Thanks for the update. Hope you have steady sailing 'til then.

+1

[akck]

Had I known this before I applied, I wouldn't wouldn't have applied. The person hired was recently hired into another position. Apparently he worked in the same position as my boss for a short period in another city. Timing suggests this was a predetermined decision and they had to scramble because they didn't expect me to apply.

Well, I'm planning on keeping head down and doing my job. If things get bad, I can retire in just over a year, but I think I'll try to retire according to my original schedule. No need to let them ruin a perfectly good plan.