Reaction of your boss when told your ER ing in you 50's

[doneat54]

I'll be having "that conversation" with my boss sometime next year. He has only been my boss for 3 months, but I have known him in the 3 companies we have ridden the river with (spinoffs, buyouts, etc) for 22+ years. We have a great relationship. I have been telling co-workers around here (a few) of my date. I am offered a pension lump sum on that date, that I will take in lieu of annuities, and that lump sum amounts starts to decay for every day I stay past my 2017 date. So there will be no negotiation. *If* I go work anywhere, it will not be in corporate America.

What do folks think is a reasonable (with good company/manager relationship) timeframe to notify the boss? What is the risk of too early, vs too late? We have lost 2 of the 4 people in my group recently, might be rehired, and I have been moved to lead. So I don't *see* any reason why my job might go away. I'm sure every situation is different. Also, I am keeping in mind that my boss might hear from others I have told so I think sooner is better than later. I'll have 31 years tenure in 2017.

[2017ish]

Quote:

Originally Posted by doneat58 ... What do folks think is a reasonable (with good company/manager relationship) timeframe to notify the boss? What is the risk of too early, vs too late? We have lost 2 of the 4 people in my group recently, might be rehired, and I have been moved to lead. So I don't *see* any reason why my job might go away. I'm sure every situation is different. Also, I am keeping in mind that my boss might hear from others I have told so I think sooner is better than later. I'll have 31 years tenure in 2017.

There was a thread on this not too long ago, and the only conclusion that could be drawn was your statement in red. (DW recently gave written notice that she was leaving whenever in 2017 a replacement was present for a baton handoff. That is on the long side. Others were talking about less than a month.)

[growing_older]

Despite a long history with a manager you know and trust, I will never trust an entire organization to do the right thing. I've seen too many cautionary tales play out. In some cases, higher management directly overruled local management. If there's a bad scenario that could cost me more than I'm willing to lose, such as a big bonus or a key pension eligibility date, I would never tell anyone at the company I'm leaving until I were willing to be walked out that very day. If that means I give notice AFTER the key date and my stated end date is a little later then so be it. I'd rather work a few weeks longer than I might prefer, instead of a few weeks shorter than I need.

It's wonderful to have a good working relationship with your manager, but unless that manager is also the owner, you can only trust him to the extent of his authority. Higher level management can overrule the most sensible and humane plans of good managers. I've seen it too many times to ever trust that it cannot happen to me.

[cooch96]

Quote:

Originally Posted by growing_older Despite a long history with a manager you know and trust, I will never trust an entire organization to do the right thing. I've seen too many cautionary tales play out. In some cases, higher management directly overruled local management. If there's a bad scenario that could cost me more than I'm willing to lose, such as a big bonus or a key pension eligibility date, I would never tell anyone at the company I'm leaving until I were willing to be walked out that very day. If that means I give notice AFTER the key date and my stated end date is a little later then so be it. I'd rather work a few weeks longer than I might prefer, instead of a few weeks shorter than I need. It's wonderful to have a good working relationship with your manager, but unless that manager is also the owner, you can only trust him to the extent of his authority. Higher level management can overrule the most sensible and humane plans of good managers. I've seen it too many times to ever trust that it cannot happen to me.

+1

[pb4uski]

+2 good advice

[scrabbler1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by growing_older Despite a long history with a manager you know and trust, I will never trust an entire organization to do the right thing. I've seen too many cautionary tales play out. In some cases, higher management directly overruled local management. If there's a bad scenario that could cost me more than I'm willing to lose, such as a big bonus or a key pension eligibility date, I would never tell anyone at the company I'm leaving until I were willing to be walked out that very day. If that means I give notice AFTER the key date and my stated end date is a little later then so be it. I'd rather work a few weeks longer than I might prefer, instead of a few weeks shorter than I need. It's wonderful to have a good working relationship with your manager, but unless that manager is also the owner, you can only trust him to the extent of his authority. Higher level management can overrule the most sensible and humane plans of good managers. I've seen it too many times to ever trust that it cannot happen to me.

+3. I did something like that when back in 2007 I asked to have my weekly hours worked reduced from 20 to 12. My annual bonus was going to be given to me with my annual review in early April, so I made sure to wait until both the review and bonus were officially released to me and the bonus was in my bank account before putting in my request. I didn't want them to reduce or eliminate my bonus or have my annual review (and raise) impacted by a pending request to have my weekly hours reduced (neither were, and my request was granted).

[RetireBy90]

I currently work for a mega company, and get along great with my boss. I've dropped in the past my date for retirement would be early 2017 so he knows all about my plans. Interesting about a month ago, He called to ask if I was interested in a layoff package if he had to do any layoffs in next couple years. I was somewhat concerned that I might end up on the list, but he explained that I was not in any danger of leaving before I wanted to, that he just wanted to help if it worked out as our plan calls for about 6 months of pay and an additional year or 2 of service to be added to retirement qualification. A big part of reason I'm still working is for medical coverage. If I am eligible for retirement they will help pay the cost of the insurance till I'm medicare eligible.


Short post is boss knew and wants to help ensure it goes well for me.

[Koolau]

Shortly after I was informed that my w*rk assignment was to change, I announced my retirement to my boss. It was the Tues. after Labor day and my last work day was at the end of the month, but my last day to come in would be that Friday (Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri.) due to saved vacation days. I had considered my situation all during the long weekend and made up my mind. Financially, I was ready to go, but had been enjoying my w*rk assignment.

I honestly don't think I surprised my boss too much. Either that or he was a good poker player. We were always cordial, but never close.

My manager made a special trip to meet with me to be certain I was "okay" and not upset. I explained that I had been given an assignment that I didn't want to do and I wasn't going to do it. I wasn't hurt or angry, just no longer interested in doing what I was told without any input or choice. She seemed quite surprised - and then she hugged me. I couldn't believe it. I later heard from co-workers that she hoped one day to go out like Ko'olau and say what he had said. I was quite gratified by that.

Unless you are high up in the organization, Megacorp could care less about an individual retirement. Having said that, I felt very good about the reactions of the 50 or so folks I routinely worked with or around. I didn't get any obvious negative vibrations nor did I get any "how can we do without you?" reactions. I do think I surprised most folks, but not in a bad way. YMMV

[Al in Ohio]

I am thinking for me giving notice late April next year with a Fire date abt July 5th


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[InTheSticks]

At my megacorp, salaried employees must give 30 days notice to receive unpaid vacation. I'm giving 30 days notice. I could be escorted out or required to work the entire 30 days. I am prepared for either.

[LoneAspen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by InTheSticks At my megacorp, salaried employees must give 30 days notice to receive unpaid vacation. I'm giving 30 days notice. I could be escorted out or required to work the entire 30 days. I am prepared for either.

Be sure and research your state's rules on that. Some states mandate an employer pay out for earned but unused vacation days. Here in California, I've always had unused vacation days paid out upon leaving, no matter how much notice I've given.

Found a web site that might provide more info. Don't lose out on anything you're entitled to, regardless of what their policy states about giving "x" amount of notice:

Screw You Guys, I'm Going Home: States With Pro-Employee Laws: No Use-It-Or-Lose-It Vacation

[sdtech]

I just retired in my 50's after many years as a manager. If your "boss" is any good at all, he or she has already thought about the odds of each person retiring or quitting and come up with contingency plans to carry on. That is a major part of their own job after all. We all end up not working one day, and the only right answer for a manager to give is "thank you for everything you've done, and good luck"

[Dreamer]

When I took an early retirement from my career job, people seemed happy for me and a few were envious, but in a good way.

I took a part-time job in 03/10 to finish earning my 40 social security credits. I will have earned enough on 5/8/15 to have my 40th quarter of coverage. I am a receptionist for a glaucoma doctor. I went in 04/27/15 to tell him that I would be leaving work. His face immediately changed and he told me that I could not be coming in there to tell him that I was giving a 2 week notice. I told him no, I was planning on leaving in 3 weeks, May 15, 2015. He told me that I could not do that to the office, I could not do that to them. He said that I knew the office manager was leaving, 5/14/15 and we were down one tech already. He hired a person to be the office manager replacement in 06/14 and she has been working 3 days a week since then and is ready to go full-time after her college graduation 5/16/15. We are down a tech, but I do not know how to do a tech job. They were interviewing 3 people today for the tech job, so I thought if they liked 2 of them, they could hire one to replace me. He ended up saying that I could not leave until the end of the year. I was speechless and could only repeat the end of the year. That is 8 months and he is totally serious. I have worked there over 5 years and I am only earning $11.75 hr now. I ended up telling him to please hire someone soon. He said that he would, but that I needed to stay until the end of the year. I am not sure what to do about this. I hate confrontation, but I was really looking forward to 5/15/15 being my last day of work. I still can't believe his reaction.

[NanoSour]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer He ended up saying that I could not leave until the end of the year. I was speechless and could only repeat the end of the year. That is 8 months and he is totally serious. I have worked there over 5 years and I am only earning $11.75 hr now. I ended up telling him to please hire someone soon. He said that he would, but that I needed to stay until the end of the year. I am not sure what to do about this. I hate confrontation, but I was really looking forward to 5/15/15 being my last day of work. I still can't believe his reaction.

This is one of the easiest questions I've had since my college days. Name your price and if he doesn't meet it….walk!!! This is your life, not his. I couldn't sleep with myself if I let this guy dictate how my life was gonna go. You've finally put yourself in a position of power; which doesn't happen often for an employee making $11.75/hr, now you just need to exercise some of that power.

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer He ended up saying that I could not leave until the end of the year.

The last time I checked involuntary servitude was unconstitutional.

[Calico]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer When I took an early retirement from my career job, people seemed happy for me and a few were envious, but in a good way. I took a part-time job in 03/10 to finish earning my 40 social security credits. I will have earned enough on 5/8/15 to have my 40th quarter of coverage. I am a receptionist for a glaucoma doctor. I went in 04/27/15 to tell him that I would be leaving work. His face immediately changed and he told me that I could not be coming in there to tell him that I was giving a 2 week notice. I told him no, I was planning on leaving in 3 weeks, May 15, 2015. He told me that I could not do that to the office, I could not do that to them. He said that I knew the office manager was leaving, 5/14/15 and we were down one tech already. He hired a person to be the office manager replacement in 06/14 and she has been working 3 days a week since then and is ready to go full-time after her college graduation 5/16/15. We are down a tech, but I do not know how to do a tech job. They were interviewing 3 people today for the tech job, so I thought if they liked 2 of them, they could hire one to replace me. He ended up saying that I could not leave until the end of the year. I was speechless and could only repeat the end of the year. That is 8 months and he is totally serious. I have worked there over 5 years and I am only earning $11.75 hr now. I ended up telling him to please hire someone soon. He said that he would, but that I needed to stay until the end of the year. I am not sure what to do about this. I hate confrontation, but I was really looking forward to 5/15/15 being my last day of work. I still can't believe his reaction.

Let me help you out with this one.

1. On May 15, go in to the office, pack up your personal stuff, say goodbye to everyone, and LEAVE.

2. Slavery is illegal in this country. I don't know who this guy thinks he is, but he is WAY off base.

3. West Virginia is an "employment at will" state, which means either party (employer or employee) may terminate employment at any time without having to give a reason. If you feel like it, you could print out a copy of the relevant state statute and leave it on his desk on your way out on May 15th.

4. Enjoy your retirement and your grand-daughter.

[hnzw_rui]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamer He ended up saying that I could not leave until the end of the year. I was speechless and could only repeat the end of the year. That is 8 months and he is totally serious. I have worked there over 5 years and I am only earning $11.75 hr now. I ended up telling him to please hire someone soon. He said that he would, but that I needed to stay until the end of the year. I am not sure what to do about this. I hate confrontation, but I was really looking forward to 5/15/15 being my last day of work. I still can't believe his reaction.

You're resigning. What more can he do? Fire you? He can't really force you to stay.

[bssc]

Unless you signed some sort of contract for a set amount of time, you can walk out. As noted above, it sounds like you are an at will employee.

I gave my director two weeks. He seemed surprised. He pretty much ignored me and there was no turnover to speak of, which was fine with me since he wouldn't listen anyway. I enjoyed two weeks of long and sometimes free lunches.

[EastWest Gal]

Sounds like the doc is in a bind with a number of employees leaving. He's desperate not to be stuck answering his own phones, but that's his problem, not yours. Ask that your pay be doubled to stay one more month. You know he can afford it. If he refuses, oh well. The only thing he could do is fire you and that's not going to happen. He can always call a temp agency if he needs to.


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[MRG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastWest Gal Sounds like the doc is in a bind with a number of employees leaving. He's desperate not to be stuck answering his own phones, but that's his problem, not yours. Ask that your pay be doubled to stay one more month. You know he can afford it. If he refuses, oh well. The only thing he could do is fire you and that's not going to happen. He can always call a temp agency if he needs to. Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum

I like that. If he needs you that bad he'll pay, 2nd month it triples and so on. All the way to the end of the year.

He can't make you stay only you have that right. I might get good and PO'ed if it were me and walk out the door. But it's better(for me) to take the high road.

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