Hi all,
I'd appreciate advice from those who are in their 50s with decent assets -- and who believe they have been or will be ousted at work because of age or other discriminatory factors. Do you fight/sue or just let it go and move on?
My employer is adding positions, but with job postings that are specifically geared toward persons in their 20s and 30s who are not my demographic. So if I'm fired, it will not be for economic reasons.
I am excellent at what I do. But I've been told straight out that my retention has nothing to do with either my past performance or qualifications. I have not had a single performance review in those four years. Performance feedback is all anecdotal (attaboy emails, etc.) and all excellent. As far as I know, my personnel file is empty except for the initial hiring documents (at-will employment).
I've been at the employer (a nonprofit) for nearly four years, after leaving another secure position (for-profit) with more money but more stress to match. I liked this job because, well, it's one where I can "make a difference." And I have made a difference, in the lives of the people I serve. It's the management that is the problem.
But now, I'm being told my continued retention is based on me applying for and being hired for jobs with postings that describe ideal candidates as persons who are exactly opposite from me. I'm being treated as an external candidate. I've played their game twice so far. The first time, they gave me an interview and I was not hired. The second time, I was was not even selected for an interview.
Now there is another round of hiring and they're sending signals I'm out of a job if not hired this time around.
There are likely grounds for a lawsuit, but ... is it worth it? There will be no "severance"; this is a nonprofit that doesn't do that sort of thing. And in the end ... what does a successful lawsuit really get me?
I'm 53 and my wife is 55. No kids. House is worth $400K and paid off. We have a combined $1.7M in 401(k), IRA, and brokerage, so we are pretty fortunate savings-wise but probably not quite to FIRE territory. I'm definitely interested in thoughts on that though -- monthly expenses probably around 4K, which would allow for some travel, etc.
My wife has what appears to be a secure job ($70K a year) through which I could get health insurance for now. Health insurance is my biggest concern. And I don't want her to have to work while I don't work -- doesn't seem fair.
I likely could get another job, but I don't want to go back to the stressful prior position or one like it. I used to half-joke that I want to work at Costco. In all seriousness, I'd love to do something where I'm on my feet, but COVID is not the time to make such a switch, particularly with health-insurance concerns. (I can do my current job 100% remotely.)
So ... do I fight a firing or just move on? I'd really appreciate thoughts from those who have been in similar situations.
Thanks.
I'd appreciate advice from those who are in their 50s with decent assets -- and who believe they have been or will be ousted at work because of age or other discriminatory factors. Do you fight/sue or just let it go and move on?
My employer is adding positions, but with job postings that are specifically geared toward persons in their 20s and 30s who are not my demographic. So if I'm fired, it will not be for economic reasons.
I am excellent at what I do. But I've been told straight out that my retention has nothing to do with either my past performance or qualifications. I have not had a single performance review in those four years. Performance feedback is all anecdotal (attaboy emails, etc.) and all excellent. As far as I know, my personnel file is empty except for the initial hiring documents (at-will employment).
I've been at the employer (a nonprofit) for nearly four years, after leaving another secure position (for-profit) with more money but more stress to match. I liked this job because, well, it's one where I can "make a difference." And I have made a difference, in the lives of the people I serve. It's the management that is the problem.
But now, I'm being told my continued retention is based on me applying for and being hired for jobs with postings that describe ideal candidates as persons who are exactly opposite from me. I'm being treated as an external candidate. I've played their game twice so far. The first time, they gave me an interview and I was not hired. The second time, I was was not even selected for an interview.
Now there is another round of hiring and they're sending signals I'm out of a job if not hired this time around.
There are likely grounds for a lawsuit, but ... is it worth it? There will be no "severance"; this is a nonprofit that doesn't do that sort of thing. And in the end ... what does a successful lawsuit really get me?
I'm 53 and my wife is 55. No kids. House is worth $400K and paid off. We have a combined $1.7M in 401(k), IRA, and brokerage, so we are pretty fortunate savings-wise but probably not quite to FIRE territory. I'm definitely interested in thoughts on that though -- monthly expenses probably around 4K, which would allow for some travel, etc.
My wife has what appears to be a secure job ($70K a year) through which I could get health insurance for now. Health insurance is my biggest concern. And I don't want her to have to work while I don't work -- doesn't seem fair.
I likely could get another job, but I don't want to go back to the stressful prior position or one like it. I used to half-joke that I want to work at Costco. In all seriousness, I'd love to do something where I'm on my feet, but COVID is not the time to make such a switch, particularly with health-insurance concerns. (I can do my current job 100% remotely.)
So ... do I fight a firing or just move on? I'd really appreciate thoughts from those who have been in similar situations.
Thanks.