Talk me through being relegated at work

[Texas Proud]

Evaluate what skills you have that are valuable to the company. Especially if they help your not easy replaceability. Try to work where you can be an asset, rather than just another cog in the system.

The other thing is use your FI to give you better attitude putting up with corporate BS. Be on the long term success goal (retirement in few years), instead of getting wrapped up in short term issues.

From experience, not all managers really care if you are valuable to the company... they want people to follow them no matter what...

At least twice I was let go and found out they hired two people to do the work that I was doing... management did not care...

 

[LateToFIRE]

I've both been the eager young manager with more experienced folks reporting to me, and later on become the grizzled vet reporting to a younger eager beaver. Both situations very uncomfortable. Fortunately, as a young manager, I figured out quickly how to get the best out of my older employees and that was generally to show respect for their hard earned experience, learn from them, and make sure they understood that I had their back and was there more to run interference for them rather than interfere. Thankfully, when the shoe was was on the other foot in late career, my managers generally showed me the same level of respect (maybe there is something to that karma stuff).

Seems to me that if you've only got about 3 years remaining on the clock that coasting to the finish line shouldn't be to much of a stretch. Yeh, I get the ego thing and in late career I saw many young bucks that I trained and mentored leap over me, but that's just how the game works. With your assets, you've got 1st class problems here (i.e. not really problems). Take it one year at a time. That's what I did. I gave myself one-more year syndrome. And then finally, one day, the ageist indignities just got to be too much and boom, pulled the trigger. Would I have loved to have gotten in another year of (high six figures) income? Sure. But, that's the trap ;-)

 

[joesxm3]

I was a software engineer and wrote the original version of most of the code for a small company that was bought by a medium sized corporation.

A few years after the acquisition the president decided to jump a guy I had hired over me and put him in charge of the programming staff. Probably the right move as I was more of a builder than people manager.

As time went on that guy grabbed all of the new projects and visibility to the upper management. I got left in my cube and was only pulled out when they had painted themselves into a corner and needed me to fix it.

Eventually they decided to promote me to Director. I think it was a ploy to cut my salary under the guise of my supposedly being able to wet my beak in the secret upper management stuff. I refused to cut my salary and they promoted me anyway.

At one point the entire sales department jumped ship to a competitor. The senior VP started to put pressure on the three technical guys that were director or higher to fill that gap. Probably reasonable to expect of managerial level titles but not what I was interested in doing although I had done sales when we were a tiny startup.

Eventually the BS reached a peak. The SVP help a series of back to back phone meetings picking on me. He was probably trying to manage me out as they say. Likely since they eventually did it to everybody.

That was Friday. First thing next week I gave a 30 day notice. In retrospect a mistake. I did not want to stick it to my coworkers and I wrote details instructions about the technical stuff they did not know. It never got used. Maybe that stuff was not necessary but I suspect that things just degraded and corporate did not care since they were planning to absorb everything.

In retrospect I wish I had told the SVP that I was not putting up with that type of abuse and quit that friday.

My advice to you. Suck it up and collect your salary and other money until they start to actively try to drive you out. When the BS bucket starts to overflow pull the chute ASAP.

The third guy, a VP kept his nose clean and was very careful to do nothing they could fire him for. He was eventually terminated but got a package which I did not.

 

[Humbooster]

I know how you fee, I had a few managers over the years that I had no respect for, especially when they micromanaged everything.
I think you should just concentrate on making money for the next few years until you quit. Depending on your company, if there is money for new product suggestions or designs, win it, for referring a new hire, get that bounty, go after every monetary incentive there is, and then get the hell out of there and don't look back.

 

[chemEguy]

I wanted to thank again all the folks that replied, I’ve read all the responses. Glad to hear I’m not the only one with this particular experience, but logically I already knew that.

Tradeoffs to everything in life. Manager copied me on an email today while my son and I were teeing off on the tenth hole…

 

[bmcgonig]

The kid is probably not looking forward to managing older engineers either and expecting problems.
Be the opposite and act like you don’t mind at all that he’s a kid and you’re older. Act like you’re willing to help him get his job done. Express easy eagerness. He’ll probably be relieved and grateful and respect you, and assume that there is more to your life than work.

Then go hang out with your friends and family and do what needs to be done to get thru the next few years.

 

[ModestNestEgg]

I appreciate you posting this, chemEguy, and can relate to some of these dilemnas with new management, especially by younger people. It's definitely a helpful testimonial that you shared to let others of us who are also still working that we are not alone when a management change occurs.

My thoughts are that you probably have more leverage than you think you have despite the formal chain of command with this new person. This new guy is probably under a lot more pressure to perform to his higher ups and feels the need to offer some sort of suggestion to prove his competence. He very likely does not have the options in his life like you have to retire or steer your own ship in a very short amount of time because of where he is in his position in life. Work is only a part of that.

 

[Hyper]

Once the game is over, you'll see just how much it didn't matter. As long as you win your way, let go and finish the game!
I was so blessed to have worked my career, my way.
I could work under most anyone at any age.
I worked for extremely few companies that hired qualified individuals as bosses, supervisors. It was always yes men, suck ups, so it didn't bother me in the slightest. BUT.....it was the very worst thing to be disrespectful in any way towards me and I had zero issues putting any of them in place which they always tried, id just about make them cry and we'd be good from then on.
I had absolutely no desires to move up the ladder into that cesspool!
I was damn good at my job. That was the only reason they kept me. It sure was never for my personality!!

 

[Lazyfish]

What a great position to be in, ChemEguy. My son is a ChemE, I’m a PetE, or rather was. You’re where you want to be financially, you have an opportunity to influence and help a young manager become a better leader, and your knowledge and skill set are still valuable to both the company and your supervisor. Be the mentor he needs if he’ll accept it. Collaborate, lead without being wanting of the credit. Your can teach this youngun to understand and appreciate the talent working under him.

Congrats, your approach to family is praise-worthy.

 

[Music Lover]

Running FIREcalc with a 205K spend, (we want 165K after tax as that’s what we’re at now) SS for both of us at 62, and three portfolio adjustments to cover remaining college, plus what we add yearly says:

2024 - 84.5%
2025 - 94.5%
2026 - 98%
2027 - 100%

It’s looking good, we’re close.

I would find it far less stressful to cut the budget a little bit than it would be to work 3 or 4 more years. A budget of $205k probably has some room to cut expenses without sacrificing.

But that's just me.

 

[Joseph]

Is your issue with your new manager the facts that (a) he is younger and (b) that you helped hire and train him?

Is he a competent manager?

Yes I would and I have had some issues with the young bucks trying to manage me. 60 yr old as of now. Not an engineer ( a tax guy) but besides having some of my own clients, I have always worked for another CPA (s)who has their own practice. I never wanted to be a manager of anyone because I only work to pay bills and save for financial independence. Once the younger ones started coming thru the ranks, I had to bite my tongue of few times realizing this is the downside of not striving to move up the corporate ladder. I also have told of few partners I am not being managed by that person and will find other employment if I was forced to. Eventually I ended up doing some per diem and seasonal work with various CPAs and make my own hours. But it took awhile. Luckily, wife the breadwinner for 6 more yrs ( she is 6 yrs younger, stopping FT work at 60 also)

 

[chemEguy]

I never wanted to be a manager of anyone because I only work to pay bills and save for financial independence. Once the younger ones started coming thru the ranks, I had to bite my tongue of few times realizing this is the downside of not striving to move up the corporate ladder.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, you’ve accurately captured my exact feelings. I actively made the same decision as you, made it work by early and prolonged saving and investing, and we are close to the finish and the payoff.

But it’s tough on the ego all the same.

As somebody else said, the bill is now due for the chosen course and you’re going to have to suck it up the last few years while it’s paid off.

 

[Cassius King]

Isn't this why we save and have FU Money?!

What's to say you stick it out miserably for the next four years and in year four the market drops 50%.

You're never going to be younger than you are right at this moment. Cut the cord. I'd much rather find some wiggle room in the spending than spend 4 more years (approx 10% of remaining life) miserable.

 

[Route246]

I've both been the eager young manager with more experienced folks reporting to me, and later on become the grizzled vet reporting to a younger eager beaver. Both situations very uncomfortable. Fortunately, as a young manager, I figured out quickly how to get the best out of my older employees and that was generally to show respect for their hard earned experience, learn from them, and make sure they understood that I had their back and was there more to run interference for them rather than interfere. Thankfully, when the shoe was was on the other foot in late career, my managers generally showed me the same level of respect (maybe there is something to that karma stuff).

Seems to me that if you've only got about 3 years remaining on the clock that coasting to the finish line shouldn't be to much of a stretch. Yeh, I get the ego thing and in late career I saw many young bucks that I trained and mentored leap over me, but that's just how the game works. With your assets, you've got 1st class problems here (i.e. not really problems). Take it one year at a time. That's what I did. I gave myself one-more year syndrome. And then finally, one day, the ageist indignities just got to be too much and boom, pulled the trigger. Would I have loved to have gotten in another year of (high six figures) income? Sure. But, that's the trap ;-)

I mentored a young engineer from when he was an intern. He was a superstar waiting to be unleashed. He left the company and jumped around developing his skills. 20+ years later he became my manager through a series of multiple re-orgs and my desire to remain an individual contributor, at least temporarily. When asked how I felt about it before I was assigned to his group I told the management I was like a proud papa as I was the one who helped him when there was nobody else around to take care of this intern. I showed him at the time everything I knew. He had hesitation at first but I told him if I'm not performing to his satisfaction he needs to correct it and it is all business. I guess it helps that I was on my way to FI at the time and didn't really feel much ambition to "get ahead" and he was up and coming and on his way to a nice career trajectory. I'm the oldest guy in the group (at least one of them) and I have no qualms reporting to younger people, none at all. They work hard at what they do and so do I. It is just a job and they don't know I plan to retire in 13 months but I don't stop pushing the envelope in terms of work effort as I'm not mailing it in. It helps that I appear 10+ years younger than I am because I'm relatively fit, have a full head of hair with grey only around the edges and I don't dress like an old fart and I never reminisce about the old days. Here in Silicon Valley nobody really cares, anyway.

If you are in a situation where you have resentment because your manager is younger and feistier than you would like it goes both ways as it take two to tango. Just sayin'

 

[skipro33]

When I was in a similar situation, I explained to my hire, now my boss, that I am there for one purpose; to make him look good. He is there for one purpose, to provide me the means of making him look good. Once we were straight on that, that I was not after his job but enjoyed my work outside of management, he came to realize that I really could help him advance. Maybe approach him that way; that you are there still has his mentor to get him to the level he's wanting to achieve.
This is a standard of military ranking with non-coms working in order that their officers in charge look good in their roles. I can't tell you the number of sergeants decades older than their commanding officers make or break their officers careers. It's a lot, and those commanding officers know it.