The person we had before was fired because the super did not like him

I think you need to go to HR, and lay it all out, and ask for an explanation of your review to be given by your supervisor with her supervisor in attendance.

Of course, it may be that there are some issues and explanations for their actions we are not hearing about because we are seeing this only from your point of view. I don't know what you do, but ordinarily, a hard working, experienced person that gets along is a valuable asset. I feel like they may be grooming the newcomer for your job, but there has to be more to it.

Your supervisor is not behaving in a professional manner and is treating you unfairly, apparently for no good reason. I don't know what you can do as the odds are not in your favor, other than ignore the nonsense best you can, and continue to do your job to the best of your ability.

I have a feeling, given some time, those two will have a falling out.

I feel going to HR with this problem will only create more tension. It can be used to show that you aren't a team player and that you can't take criticism. I think after 25 yrs with the company, your reputation is well known.

Lucille, I feel you may be right. My previous supervisor created this position a few years ago. He requested me for the position. I was an admin, but now I'm a collection person. All I do is call or email clients and ask for a status on payment. Then I document what was said. After he started this, he moved on and I started working for the super I how have. She used to be good to work with, but very wishy washy. She would say one thing and then when I would do it her way, she would say no that's not what she said. Until I forwarded her the email, then she would apologize. This incident with the newbie is just starting. On one occasion, she told me verbally that it was ok to work from home. The new girl and I use to walk out together and she seen me with my laptop. I didn't say anything, but the next day the super called me in and yelled at me for telling the newbie I was working from home. I tried to tell her that I didn't say anything, she was with me when I left. That is when I decided to curtail the conversations with her. I've been documenting everything and I pulled all her emails and saved them to my home computer just in case I need back up. She would also say nasty things about the other supervisor, I'm going to wait until after the new year when I have to sit next to this girl. (Everyone in my building has their own space except for the place I'm being told to sit at). As far as interaction, the newbie calls clients for all places except for the West Coast. That is my area. My super gave me the West because the previous employee was getting numerous complaints about being badgered. So I started doing them and I'm very proud of the fact that not one client or Project Manager has complained about me.

You are in a no-win situation and it may not end well for you. You are going to be miserable for several months, with the possibility your newly hired co-worker either quits or is fired. Or it may be that they are laying the groundwork (the unfavorable review) to terminating you. It depends on how long you are willing to stick it out. You are 66 years old, which is retirement age. If you can afford it, retire and be thankful that you don't have to put up with it anymore.

You sound as if the boss always hates someone and your the newest "hated one". I don't see the mean boss becoming nice any time soon...do you?

Can you ask to transfer elsewhere in the company? I would.

Time to look for a promotion in another division?

Nicole, I don't think that would work. I know that when she got the other coworker fired, she made sure he did not receive unemployment. She was insistent on that because she disliked him so much.. I actually thought of waiting for her to fire me, but if she stops my unemployment I don't know what I'll do. I already signed up for SS so I do have my checks starting soon. My personal problem is we still owe a mortgage and if I quit, we do not have enough to cover everything. We are talking about selling the house and finding a nice apartment so I can quit, but that won't happen until next year some time. I think what I might do is turn the other cheek and start conversing with this girl and see what happens. I can try to play the part. I know my work history is excellent so I at least have that going for me. Plus all my previous reviews were very good and I have been receiving raises. Not this time.

I forgot to add that one person cannot do this job. There are just too many invoices to check on.

Sounds like getting a house sold could be your new year's resolution. Do that and you'll feel free to do what you want, and it might help you to stay at work since it won't matter what they do.

In my state, if you are fired for cause, you are not eligible for unemployment compensation. The company may be making a case for this, beginning with your unfavorable review. You may want to check out your state's unemployment compensation website.

Lucy, I can see being fired because the customers had complaints, which they don't. I'm a little surprised I can be fired for not talking to a coworker.

linda.....the more you do, the more in-control you'll feel. I'd like to recommend you read Dave Ramsey's "The Total Money Makeover."

Your supervisor sounds immature and childish. The perfume is stronger ..geesh! I feel the major complaint is not talking to the newbie, I would talk a blue streak to her, but nothing daming. Also, I wouldn't mention the perfume, not to them anyway .

I'm a little surprised I can be fired for not talking to a coworker.

Linda, depending on what state you live in, you can be fired for any reason or for no reason at all. It is called "employment at will." (I live in such a state.)

ETA: Exceptions are if you have an employment contract or other enforceable agreement or if you are fired in violation of a discrimination law. (You can still be fired, you would just then have some recourse)

Other states are "right to work" states, which is a different standard.

How very weird; so sorry for you. I ended up with an a$$ of a boss and ended up resigning because of it. My life became much better then. Do you wonder if they may be trying to force you to leave? Perhaps because you've been there so long you are making more money than others and they want to cut that back by hiring someone new? If they lay you off (vs firing), you'd get unemployment (at least in my state; no idea about yours).

Y'know, in my opinion, you've worked long and hard and given your all (as evidenced by your promotions and performance reviews). Now this baloney. Do you really want to put up with it?

I think that you are wise to retain all emails and notes of all conversations (even verbal - - - write them down and file them away. Or, even better, if verbal, send an email to the person saying "just following up after our conversation .... this is my understanding .... please let me know if I'm mistaken in any way").

Yuck. I don't envy you in this. Good luck.

A bad review is not the same as a written reprimand and your employer has to follow legal labor law guidelines. It sounds to me as if you are the one being discriminated against. This sounds like a hostile workplace to me.

https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/harassment.cfm

I would try killing the new employee with kindness when you share a space. I've had good luck talking with other employees and asking them if they would mind not wearing scent when at work, because I and others are allergic. I've never had anyone refuse. Making friends with her may be your best tactic, but don't talk with her about your supervisors or the company. Just pleasantries about personal things, plans, weather, books, whatever you talk about with your other friends. Offer to help her if she's stuck on something. Maybe ask for her advice problem solving something with one of your accounts. Look like a team player!

I'd also be sure to document anything that you feel could be used to make a case for age discrimination, if you feel you are being pushed out in favor of a younger person.

sometimes I can them whispering in her cube.

You can try killing with kindness but if they are already whispering, realize that neither of them may tell the truth and if this is already a setup, you might be in for a hard time proving anything as time goes on and more bad reviews are left for you.

A sold house, debt free apartment living. Sounds like a good plan.

Sounds like they're trying to force you out. I've worked for companies that did that, routinely, to older workers.

Suziecue -Or, even better, if verbal, send an email to the person saying "just following up after our conversation .... this is my understanding .... please let me know if I'm mistaken in any way").

I never thought of that. I will do that next time..

I think you may be correct also, about the money. This department is not a high paying job, so yes I do make a lot more, Plus I did receive a raise last year. My super did tell me that I was making a lot more than the one they fired. I'm not sure how much this new one is getting. That's all hush hush.

I wan't to thank everyone for their help and opinions. It really feels good to get this out of my system. This has been ongoing since this past June. Prior to that, everything was very well. And yes I will try to make a effort to talk to her, but not until I see what's happening next year. Then I will be the most talkative person around. LOL.

Hope things go better in the new year, linda! Best of luck to you.

I agree with Suziecue that is happening more and more.

Can you transfer?

I'd be planning on how I could live without this job. It does not look good. These days, companies do not want employees at the top of the salary scale and find any reason possible to let them go.

I can see the writing on the wall. Better get your house ready to sell. You're 66 and you've already filed for SS? Retire ASAP.

Sometimes you just can't fight it.

This is why I've been predominantly self-employed for 30 years. My reviews are public; I've worked very hard for them. Everyone else can kiss my ....

Is it really true that in the business world companies try to push out long term employees??? I mean, i know that it happens but is this normal practices? Seems to me a long-time employee would be highly prized.

Yes, it's definitely true. In my experience, businesses prefer younger workers to reflect an energetic and fast-paced workplace. Older employees are subjected to unfounded negative stereotypes, as being slower or less productive. They also occupy senior positions that prevent younger staff from advancing. Since they typically earn higher salaries and receive far more paid time off for vacations, laying them off or not hiring them in the first place, is a legitimate financial decision. It's not because of their age--they. are just too expensive.

Ageism is alive and well in the work force.

And the stupid thing is, that often older workers have a much better work ethic than millennials and are more likely to stay put in a job rather than flit off at the first sight of a possibly greener pasture or when boredom sets in, whichever comes first.

I agree with all of the above. My sister went through something similar. After rave reviews, all of a sudden there was ridiculous nitpicking. Luckily, she was nearing retirement, but she wanted to end her career WHEN SHE wanted to. Not be pushed out.

She realized that through the years she was very vocal about protocol. Always honest and realized certain things were being overlooked on purpose due to financial reason. She felt that as long as the patients were not in any danger, she would follow the "new" protocol and keep her mouth shut. She too realized they could hire two fresh out of school therapists for the salary she was getting.

It's all business, but you can't help but take it personally. Because we have feelings!

Especially in a place that you have invested 25 years.

But, if you want to stay, you need to find a way to do so. I would document everything as suggested already so if you are unexpectantly pushed out, you can have cause to show discrimination. At the very least, you deserve unemployment.

ok, I'm going to be the best actress around. I just spoke to the co-worker and now I'm going to see what the super is going to do next week. And of course, she didn't know a few things I was told and I didn't know a few things she's been told. The good ole super will have nothing to complain about. Thank you everyone. You really made me feel good about all this and have given me a lot of ideas.

Isn't it odd to have a four-person department with two 'supervisors'? Is this shift work? Who is in charge of this department -- your and their boss? Do you know this person, and does he or she *know* you? Has he or she passed on an order to cut the budget in your department? You can bet your supervisor will not be the one to go as long as she has the power to manipulate you into quitting.