On Thursday last week I was taken into a room and told by my superior and the employee relations rep (not the owner) that because of the upgraded computer system my job is being dissolved and after 13 yrs I am being let go. I will be given 2 wks vacation and 2 wks severance. I work in a small factory of 95 or so and my job is purchasing assistant. My desk is in a mezzanine and I am the only woman left out there on the computer. I am 54. We had a female scheduler but she was degraded so badly she quit. My only job related to the new system was to make out purchase orders for outsources for our parts (platers, heat treaters, etc.). I have a replacement heart valve but it doesn't slow me down. It does mean my blood has to be monitored tho. They have yet to give me any pink slip or documentation of my end. My yearly review was very positive last month and I don't have an attendance problem. After looking at the unemployment screen I realize I should have begged for another position. I could be denied. I am very quiet and reserved and shy. I have an idea to send to my employer but I would like your input. I am considering sending an email that says: Unless I am incapable of performing any work it is more appropriate to transfer me to another position rather than to discharge me based on the length of my service as primary criterion. Because of my age and medical condition my chances of finding employment are slim. If I am unable to perform any other job than isn't it clearly a case of Age Discrimination based on indivuals over 40? Any lawyers out there or experiences? I should be retained in my current position or trained for other duties. Any advice before I send off my statement to my employer? There is a man with severe short term memory running our assembly dept. that gets paid way more than I do. He is my age with less seniority. It's a touchy situation but if I don't fight I could be on the street in no time. Please give some insight. Peace n luv.
i would check out any resources in EEOP advocacies in your area. call the unemployment office, since i'm sure they deal with this sort of thing at least part of the time.
it's a sign of the times. so sorry. most states are employment at will and companies can do exactly what yours is doing, it's legal. don't be so sure you won't find work somewhere else. try a temp agency, you have skills.
You think because you have a replacement heart valve you won't get another job? Come on now gimme a break here. There are plenty of people that have worse med conditions that you have and are working just fine. I'm not trying to be mean here but what is your reason for a lawyer and legal action? Downsizing is a fact of life. I've faced it twice in my 39 years.
Unfortunately redundancy is a fact of life. Its not fair, and its not always something you can forsee. Having seen many situations in my working life where people 'outstay their welcome' for what ever reason, I would strongly recommend you think long and hard about what the upshot of fighting back will be. If a business really wants you gone, for whatever reason, they will find a way. It may not be above board, and it could leave you feeling quite bad and down in the dumps. They may even find underhanded ways to second guess your performance and make you question yourself. I know one person who 'fought back' and it landed them 9 months of doing nothing... quite literally nothing. This is in an office of corporate high flyers, and this poor person had to sit at their desk every day for 9 months... with nothing to do. Formally a manager of thier department, this was one of the most soul destroying and humiliating things that they could have done. This person is still affected by the poor treatment they received. If you can see that things could work out in the future give it a shot, otherwise, I would look around for something else.. and dont doubt yourself... you never know, you could be a breath of fresh air for a different kind of company.
