I’ve been retired for a little over a month now. Yesterday I
attended the retirement party for a former co-worker. I was a little
apprehensive about going, I didn’t leave the company under the best
circumstances (in my opinion but more on that later) so I wasn’t sure what to
expect. Two assistants I worked with basically stabbed me in the back and my
boss took their side. I no longer trusted the SOB or had any respect for him,
so I told him I would be taking early retirement. I had witnessed over the past
year and half, a few “older” employees that were advised to either retire or be
fired. Of course, it was subtle but non-the-less gave me much to suspect I was
part of the target for age discrimination. I seriously took legal counsel into
consideration but in the long run, I am not interested in monetary restitution –
just the truth to be acknowledged. For the stress and legal expenses, I figured
just walking away was worth more for my peace of mind than any legal counsel.
Had I been younger, then hell yes I would have taken the company to court. But
then . . . I wouldn’t be looking at the age discrimination issue!
As luck would have it, both assistants and my former boss
were not in attendance. Ironic since one of the issues my boss allegedly had
with me is that I did not attend one of the assistant’s retirement celebrations,
thus not displaying “team behavior”. As I tried to explain to my former boss, I
had committed to dog/house sitting for my sister that weekend while she was out
of the country. I had made the commitment a few weeks prior to the retirement celebration’s
date announcement. Please note, I had also requested PTO for that day and had
it approved by previous boss! Ironically for my retirement shindig, very
low-key drinks after work with my co-workers and officers, NONE of the officers
that reported to my boss including my boss showed up. Even more revealing, my
former boss and any of the officers reporting to him, did not attend yesterday’s
retirement party either. I did note that the president and CEO of our company
and two other officers did show up – more than the upper management attendance
at my retirement soiree. Begs the question WTF?????
Enough of that toxic crap. Don’t have to deal with it
anymore. I have time to spend with my family and friends which I am so grateful
for. LOVE it! I love staying home. And of course, retiring at the beginning of
summer is the BEST. I feel like a kid again. Time for me to reflect on my
blessings.
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