How to cope - moved to a new (difficult) Prj but have 0 enthusiasm on countdown to retirement

RNV · 5 May at 11:27AM

Hello,

Have a bit of a "nasty surprise" - been told they "need my help" on a falling apart Prj. Apparently all have been already decided, so I'm not asked but told….

My problem is, I'm not up for anything like this any more… I desperately want an exit (early retirement) but not there yet - need at least 1 year until next summer when I'm 55 and can access pension. Or, realistically, probably 3 years to get to the DC pension level that (I've convinced myself) will sustain our current life style.

Haven't had a proper conversation with the manager yet, so don't know all details yet.

Would you have a relatively straight conversation with the manager - .i.e "I will do my job but do not expect any "go above and beyond" from me and I would rather stay where I am now (with already a fair share of stress but at least I'm familiar with the scope" ? He is ok, reasonable and smart guy and probably have already figured this out. However, once I say it loudly it will go further up the food chain…

I know, I will not get any magical solutions posting here but may be a few pointers I haven't thought about…

Thanks for listening :)

Marcon · 5 May at 11:57AM

This isn't a pension question much as an employment one. I've asked for it to be moved to a more relevant board where you're likely to get a better response level.

eskbanker · 5 May at 11:59AM

What's a Prj?

leosayer · 5 May at 11:59AM

Prj = Project?

None of us know you, your manager or the company or your relationship with them so it's hard for us to judge what the right approach is. However I would certainly recommend speaking to your manager in more positive terms than you have suggested.

Is there a way of both you and your manager getting what you need? This might be mentoring a more junior member of staff on the project so they're not fully dependent on you anymore. Or covering someone else's job whilst they work on it instead of you.

If you're that close to retirement then there is some satisfaction to be gained from knowing that this might be the last time you have to do a particular task.

Failing all that, what would happen if you just said no?

RNV · 5 May at 12:10PM

Thanks leosayer

I realise this is my problem - as I'm taking it too negatively (somebody dared to "destroy" my status quo I have managed to adapt to).

Yes, another person in the team will definitely help (will try to ask for that at least) - I'm just not able to be always there any more. I'm buying (Sal Sac) my holidays to cope with the job as it is…Well paid, yes; but very stressful as they all are…

I do not think I can say no, they are out of any other solutions (they are robbing a project I'm currently on to try to solve another).

Albermarle · 5 May at 12:10PM

Or, realistically, probably 3 years to get to the DC pension level that (I've convinced myself) will sustain our current life style.

If you want some feedback on whether you have adequate pension provision, then you have come to the right forum, but of course you will have to supply details.

However as already said difficult to comment on the wider issues.

YBR · 5 May at 12:11PM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81987373#Comment_81987373

Basically this!

In my previous role the Head of Department wanted to allocate me and 2 colleagues in a particular way to a couple of projects, whereas we and our line manager knew our various strengths and competence, and thought the HoD's reasoning was rubbish. The 3 of us supported our line manager to change the HoD's mind.

So we don't know your team, but go with a constructive suggestion for who else might do that role and how they might be mentored and supported to do it. The manager probably needs your experience, but if you are on long term wind-down towards retirement, s/he also needs that experience passing on to others.

Not being up for the stress/accountability at this stage meant that many of my older colleagues (with DB pensions) reduced their hours running up to retirement so they couldn't be given lead roles on the projects.

xylophone · 5 May at 12:25PM

I think that your manager could well take a dim view of your less than enthusiastic response.

If you were within months of planned retirement, it might not matter (though the leaving presentation might be a plastic watch 😀) but with anything up to four years to go, you could be viewed as one "unwilling to pull his weight as he coasts quietly to the exit". This could lead to resentment (openly or covertly expressed) on the part of colleagues, and hence an unpleasant working atmosphere.

Are you sure that the satisfaction of bringing a difficult project to a successful conclusion would not restore your zest for the job?

RNV · 5 May at 12:52PM

Are you sure that the satisfaction of bringing a difficult project to a successful conclusion would not restore your zest for the job?

I'm afraid, I'm definitely tired. The new project will run for a few years with many bumps….And I know I will be working on both for a long time to gradually handover (if they find whom to) …

On 1 week planned holiday soon, may be this will help to recharge my batteries…

Just one of those days when everything seems "the end of the world"…

TELLIT01 · 5 May at 12:53PM

Have you really investigated all aspect of retiring at 55? Taking a pension at the earliest opportunity can often mean the amount you get each month is greatly reduced, compared to working full term. You will also probably find that pension annual increases are far less than annual salary increases, so your financial position will become poorer each year.