I have been an accomplished CEO of a trade association for 25 years. Each year we have a new President to deal with; some good some bad but I usually get through the year with my sanity. Not so much this year! It is only February but I am ready to bail on a career that has for the most part been good to me just because of one woman! I am, by the way, 62 and not quite ready to retire. I don’t know how I went from being an accomplished, trusted, respected CEO to a bumbling idiot who doesn’t know what she is doing; this according to my new President and some of her compadres! We are in the throes of a new Strategic Plan that will encompass new technology in order to build a new communications platform. One of my directors, and my President, of course, thinks that I should have “help” hiring an IT person because maybe this is not my expertise! I have been hiring and firing personnel for 25 years; I think I can handle it. I truly believe that they are trying to push me out because of my age. Any H.R. attorneys out there? Not looking for free advice but I just am not sure how to react to all this. Maybe it is time to get out but I reallly wanted to do it in my timeframe! Help!
| Age Discrimination? |
February 07, 2010
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thank you so much Lisa, that helps a lot. I know he tried to blame me for so much stuff, but like I told all of his family and mine none of that added up to a divorce. I do realize it's his needs, it just hurts so bad to think how many years he's
How funny....i only very recently (within last week) read the coconut oil articles on the web. (100 uses, 80 uses etc.) so i bouht some and ordered some from amazon. (Im a stockpiler.)
Have started trying some of the uses. I tried using it a
Have you considered an exit strategy to include in Strategic Planning this year? The men who founded and built up the firm that I work for enacted an exit strategy about 12 years before any of them started to retire. That way, the younger men who would eventually take their place knew the plan and knew what their place would be in the future. So far, it has worked very smoothy and the company is flourishing even though the last two years have been the most challenging since the late 70′s. I’m just an executive assistant, so I don’t really understand all the ends and outs, but thought I’d pass that idea along.
Do the hiring and firing … hire an IT consultant (probably the pres has a friend in mind).
Don’t let them push you out unless you have a really good retirement package, savings and health insurance because the chances of getting another good position after age 60 are very slim. I have just been told that, despite being well qualified and in good health, the likelihood of my getting a full-time teaching position after age 65 is almost nil.
Ask yourself a few key questions, and answer honestly: Am I open to new ideas, new technologies? Or do I say, “We’ve tried that already–it won’t work.” Do I delegate? Do I ensure that new people have the training to do their assigned jobs. Do I praise, give positive feedback? In short give yourself a leadership questionnaire. Why not hire the IT specialist and diffuse the director’s complaint? Select one who can explain technology innovations to non-techies. Suggestions from the new president may not be criticism–simply suggestions. Let’s face it, at strategic planning meetings, everyone feels obliged to come up with a suggestion–some good some unworkable.
You may have to swallow your pride (pride in your very real accomplishments) and kiss a__ for a while. Maintain your high standards and integrity in your work, try not to give in to anger–because you’ll then give them an excuse to terminate you. You are now in a chilled workplace environment, may not know who to trust– and that’s surely not fun.
Our country needs mature, experienced leaders, The sad thing about age discrimination (and gender bias) is that is deprives our nation of a needed talent pool.
VN caters to women over 50, I’m wondering how many ”members” over 60 have experienced your situation.
I am doing exactly as you said; doing my job as I’ve always done, biding my time until I make the decision to leave this job, not vice-versa! I did put the ad on Craig’s List and Careerbuilder and also they formed a task force to look at the web-based program vs. hiring an IT person. If they decide to go the hiring route, I will be ready with resumes. It’s a shame but 60+ women just can’t rock the boat, or we’re out! I have been progressive but in my situation, any ideas that are implemented have to be at least perceived to be that of the President or the Board of Directors. I may have forgotten that lesson that I learned long ago in my business-we work behind the scenes and they get all the credit!
Thanks for your sage advice!
Just another few words–I like Craig’s List for bargains, but I’m not sure it’s a good site for a job hunt. I know folks who have found jobs through Career-Builder. They signed in and looked over the job ads but did not post their resumes there. Too public. If they saw a suitable job posted, they applied to that job directly.
And if any younger execs are reading this–I hope you’ll remember a lesson from “the movement”–Reach a hand back to pull another woman up. In this case, a talented older sister. You’ll be in her shoes someday.
Well, I’m not a CEO, just a lowly Worker Bee, lol. This past year has brought new management, new supervisors, lots of firings and lots of layoffs. I’m 60 years old and I was recently told by the new bosses that I’m not working fast enough, that I’m not keeping up with my coworkers. I’ve been here for almost 12 years so this was news to me. I was always accustomed to being the Golden Girl every place I’ve ever worked so this was a big blow to my ego. At first I was very insulted and did a lot of angry self-talk. Then I pulled myself out of my “hurt ego” funk and decided to take a really good look at myself. I decided to play the game. I don’t want to look for a new job so I started to study more (I’m doing more of a techie type of job so you’ve got to keep on top of things) and I started to work differently and more effectively. So far, so good. I get the work out faster and I feel more confident. It’s difficult when you’ve worked for over 40 years and all of a sudden someone tells you you’re not cutting it. It’s an ego deflator, that’s for sure. But just remember what you did when you were younger and you were given some criticism by the powers-that-be … you probably swallowed your pride and tried to improve. No matter what our age, we still need to do that. Keep up the good work … at least until you’re ready to retire. Then screw ‘em all, haha!!
I think you are giving her too much power and if the heirarchy changes every year, just play the game. If they are willing to hire an IT, say absolutly, sounds great.
That way you didn’t let her intimidate you, you became a power player with confidence. Then who knows, you might learn something new and move with the bunch or the IT may say, hmmm she’s right on board.
You can do it! Don’t focus on age, focus on ability and wisdom. By offering to help hire and IT for you, she didn’t ask you to go. THEN say to yourself….”they just don’t know who they’re dealing with”…poor things. HA!
I have no advice to give on this one. I just wanted to say that you are certainly not alone in what you are experiencing. My husband was laid off last year (age 51). Both he and I are experiencing the silent age discrimination big time. For some reason, the new crops of workers (often entering the work force in business for the first time!) are coming in with their short attention spans and microwave mentalities, and believe most over the age of 35 have nothing to offer the “new work place”.
I wish you nothing but the best, and hope you stand your ground against the latest round of Clearasil-fragranced expertise…
Hey don’t worry about it and stick with your job. I have been there done that, its organizational change, at first you feel challenged, and you should feel that way after all you have been a super star for a long time and not only worthy of it but proud of it, now they think they can change, and they will so just kick back and agree with everything and you may have the last laugh, its not worth giving your job up. Go with the flow, believe me when this doesn’t work they will try some other idea, and so it goes..Shirley