AIBU to think my Manager is setting me up to fail?

[Sunshineandsandybeach]

I work in retail and have been working in my store for 8 years. Previously I was working a 20 hour week (as per my contract) , but for the last 18 months I've been doing 30 hours (doing three particular jobs), although my contract hasn't changed.

We now have a new Manager recently join, and he's made it clear that everyone knows he's the boss and continuously nit picks on people. I understand it's his job to ensure the staff are working well, but there's no need to have a 'you do as I say' attitude.
He's suddenly taken on a few new members of staff (young people), and I've noticed he seems to have 'issues' with one or two of us long time workers, especially me.

I'm in my 50"s and no previous Manager has ever had a problem with my work, but now I'm being given a lot of extra work and the Manager has let it known that he's 'timed' me on a few occasions. The work load is quite physical and the amount of time I'm being given to complete it is unrealistic (and I'm not a slow worker).

I've also had my hours cut to my contracted hours, but others are still being given over time. I'm feeling as if the new Boss wants me gone, in favour of employing new staff members who he can 'mould'.
I'm currently looking elsewhere, but for now I need the hours.

Does overtime become implied (custom and practice) if you do a regular and consistent task in a job?

Do you think my Manager is setting me up to fail? as I can suddenly do no right, I'm not praised for anything (even though I perform my job well and to the best of my ability) yet he makes a point of praising certain others in front of me, making me feel as if I'm inadequate)
Do you think that my age is a factor as to why he's seemingly singling me out?

Are you in an Union? Because they can advise on the contract issues and on any suspected ageism.

No I'm not in one. I should maybe look into joining one though

There's been a lot of legal hoohah recently over overtime. In many fields.

It's impossible to say about the personal stuff, but the contracted hours stuff is fairly logical. More staff are brought in so that existing staff don't have to be paid overtime. Twas ever thus. If overtime hours are needed, then sadly managers generally get to decide who does it.

I'd definitely speak to a union.

Good luck!

A union won’t give you advice about a dispute which existed before you joined and most of them will also have a 3 month period before you can use their services to ensure that this rule is complied with.

if it’s a chain, presumably you have a central HR department? I would flag with them that you have been working a 30 hour week for 18 months, that you regard these as your new hours due to custom and practice and that the manager is taking hours from you and offering them to younger and newer members of staff which you consider to be unlawful age discrimination- do it in writing. I would expect the HR department to take this seriously and speak to your manager and put him straight about what he can and cannot do without putting the company at risk of an unfair dismissal claim.

I didn't realise that regarding the Union unfortunately.

We do have a HR Department, but wonder how I could have a claim for unfair dismissal if I'm still working there?
Do you mean unfair in regards to the Manager cutting my hours?

I would still join a TU and keep looking for other jobs.

I would also start making the odd mention of age discrimination to colleagues within your managers hearing.

@Katrinawaves
If it’s a chain, presumably you have a central HR department? I would flag with them that you have been working a 30 hour week for 18 months, that you regard these as your new hours due to custom and practice and that the manager is taking hours from you and offering them to younger and newer members of staff which you consider to be unlawful age discrimination- do it in writing. I would expect the HR department to take this seriously and speak to your manager and put him straight about what he can and cannot do without putting the company at risk of an unfair dismissal claim.

^^this

Yes exactly. If you end up leaving for a new job because your hours have been cut unlawfully, you have a claim for constructive dismissal based on the illegal age discrimination - you have said you are feeling pushed out and that your manager wants you to leave and he’s not being at all subtle about this! As age is a protected characteristic there is no limit on the damages you could be awarded unlike other forms of unfair dismissal and therefore the HR team will be very lairy about this situation!

You haven't mentioned it but be aware there's also the possibility of sex discrimination if the reduction in tasks is and you being perceived as being slower could be related to menopause?

Keep a diary.

Is there any possibility the manager has been told to cut costs and younger, newer people are cheaper to employ?

Keep a diary and try to get things in writing (so send emails rather than only discuss things verbally).

If this manager is targeting you because of your age and gender for example, you will have a case for possible discrimination and for constructive dismissal if they force you out of the job.

You could speak to ACAS and your local Citizen Advice Bureau.

If you have worked for the company for 8 years and you always had good feedback on your performance it sounds really dodgy that the new manager suddenly starts criticising your work.

I had a similar issue once and the union checked the detail of my contract and told me the questions to ask my manager. I hope you can work it out or find a new job. It's horrible to feel unsettled or unfairly criticised at work, and to be losing income from shifts being cut.

I've just realised though that maybe it isn't age related as he has taken on two other ladies (aside from younger starters) of a similar age to me.
However, those ladies both transferred from another store and work in a different area to me.

Therefore, he would be able to protect himself against age discrimination I guess, as he'd say he did take older people on. Mind you, it does tend to be the younger employees getting the overtime now, so I don't know what to think!

What I am sure about, is that he seems to be finding fault with me in particular, I just need to figure out why.

Everyone is on the same pay grade so that wouldn't be the issue.

It's a horrible feeling isn't it. I've worked there for quite sometime and it's only now that I'm being made to feel as if I'm not 'up to the standard' of working how I should be. I'm second guessing myself all the time and it's knocking my confidence quite a bit.
As I wrote in another post, I can't be sure it's age related as he's took a couple of other people on of similar age to me (transferred from other stores however, and work in a different area)

If it's not age related, I don't know what it is, I'm polite, I work as quickly and thoroughly as I can, I hardly ever call in sick and I get on well with everyone, but he definitely gives me the impression he thinks I'm lacking somehow with his constant criticism and nitpicking.