Age Discrimination Is Here!!!

["Connie J. Newman" <connierun>]

I worked at UD the local University and was there for five years!  I loved my job  -- it 
was my dream job, finally all of my experience - prepared me for this job!  As a single Mom, 
it would also mean free tuition for my three children. I was hired by my 
former Director and I was 42 at the time. Over a year ago, my Director moved over to 
Athletics  -- and we hired a new director.  Also, my direct supervisor -- transferred to 
The Alumni Relations Office and my new supervisor is 30 years old.  Which means... my former 
supervisor gave me my annual evaluation with my new supervisor present.  The evaluation was 
then signed off by the new Director.  I received an above average evaluation.  The next day, 
my new supervisor and director pulled me into the director's office and told me I was 
incompetent and did not have the ability to lead the telemarketing department.  Since 
I had just received an above average evaluation - I was very confused and shocked.  When 
I ask Why, How - did they come to this,  I was told I was being defensive.  After that, 
I was treated harshly, different and constantly received memos complainting about something!  
Everyone in my office (peers) were under 30 years of age and all were hired after the change 
of Management.  Prior to that, we had 40% of our staff over 40 years of age.  Just months 
before I was targeted, two other "older" employees were forced to resign! I was subjected 
to "old age' jokes, lies, new reviews were generated for our department but I was the only 
one who received the "review", false statements were made about me in the review, during 
the review, they decided to change my hours to night hours, they attempted to plan others 
problems on me, each time I could prove that a statement or accusation was false, they came 
up with new ones.  Others were told I was incompetent, to spy on me and not to do things 
I requested.  Before I was fired, they even talked with my replacement - who at the time 
was a senior in college, they hired him as soon as he graduated.  I went to Human Resources, 
Affirmative Action Department and to a Grievance Officer  -- I filed a Grievance, the panel 
claimed that the treatment given by management was caused by poor management training and 
that you do not treat an outstanding employee in such a manner.  Everyone kept ignoring me 
when I said age discrimination.  After I was fired, my hole world changed - I was in a 
depressed state and could not understand why noone would listen to me and see the problems!  
I even had seven management individuals of other areas write a statment about my above 
average abilities when working with them on various projects required for my position.  
I had letters from students explaining my abilities.  When we hired a peer in our office 
(28) we had interviewed an older
 man (54?) and my supervisor said "I would never hire him, he is too old to work in this 
office! Did you see his gray hair?"  After I was fired I wrote to the President of the 
university and told him about my case - I asked that they review my grirvance -
 since the panel was also shocked that I was fired!  NOTHING!!!  I am now in the fight of 
my life - I am taking them to court and I refuse to quit!  I have no money - but I will 
fight this!!!  Older employees can share many good experieinces this should be honored 
not swept under the rug!  I loved my job and now I have to start over!  Because I was too 
old to blend in with them - I am sad - I will win and I will gain my respect back!  
Please write me (Email) if you can share or give me pointers!!