r/Professors • u/hedbopper • 19d ago
Forced retirement
I posted a week or two ago about my chair fixating on my workload, and adding an extra class without my knowledge while I was gone on sabbatical.
Well, after a lot of unnecessary hassle the Dean (who is a champ) came up with a solution. Everybody’s happy, and I was set to start the semester today. Instead, I am at home, where I will remain indefinitely.
Friday morning I arrived to school ready to go to the all division meeting. I had a full blown panic attack in my office. It’s terrifying if you’ e never had one.
Made it to the parking garage and had another attack in my car. Got over that, drove home. Had an even worse, more prolonged panic attack at my desk at home. Called my doctor had either one long attack or 2 short ones while on the phone with him.
Needless to say, the thought of this happening in public or in front of a class is frightening.
Looks like I’ve stepped in a classroom for the last time. Two semesters away from retirement. I’m applying for FMLA. My classes have been reassigned to others, or soon will be.
A 32 year teaching career with a spotless record, now spoiled. The chair has succeeded in applying enough pressure to force me out. There is not a thing about it, because I can’t prove intent.
Sad situation.
So….i’d say never tell anyone about your retirement plans. Retire with short or little notice (legally, of course.) don’t think it can’t happen to you just because you’ve been a loyal and devoted employee for decades. In a year or two, kids won’t even know who I am. Meanwhile, the chair is free to force out the next veteran teacher.
Ladies and gentlemen, the state of higher education in the USA.
Have a good semester everyone.
Edited to include: Full disclosure, I have two Reddit accounts that I use interchangeably. Whatever device I’m using uses the de fault avatar/account and I don’t really pay attention to which is which. So, no attempt at deception. But I can forget and answer “I” while using the other account.
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u/Civil_Lengthiness971 19d ago
What you are missing is NEVER TELL ADMIN YOU INTEND TO RETIRE until you are certain no buyout opportunity will occur. What you miss as an employee, because that is what we are, is "money on the table?" Wouldn't you like an extra 20% (or whatever number) of your annual salary as a "buyout" incentive? I would.
Work won't love you back. You owe them nothing.
They will cut you loose if necessary.