Boss is refusing to let me take my foot off the gas

[tiredofthisshit21]

I'm retiring at the end of this year, corporate role, mid senior. I gave more than my contracted notice out of courtesy, did everything right. I've only got just over two months to go and I had thought that there might be a bit of easing back of the pressure to ease me gently into retirement. But my manager just keeps piling on the workload and pressure, regardless. I'm trying to care less, I really am, but there's no acceptance whatsoever that I have no incentive to go the extra mile any more. Currently facing into another working week with dread.

If you've been in this situation, how did you handle it?

Slightly different but I got denied a bonus on mat leave, I contacted my union and the union told them
they couldn’t do that. Could you negotiate a partial bonus pro rata?

Lots of people retire in their late 50s. It's not not retirement just because I'm not 67.

Yes, but that doesn't stop the pile on of work or the pressure.

Retirement isn’t always treated the same for incentive plans like cash bonus & equity at retirement, as it’s not a standard resignation - good leaver provisions can sometimes apply. OP has confirmed there aren’t good leaver provisions applicable in this scenario.

It sounds like you have a deferred element to your plan. Each is unique. For example I left a company and received my bonus 3 months after leaving because I was in active employment on the qualifying date. My current company forfeits for resignation before payment date. That’s why I mentioned for OP to check the plan rules (which they stated they have).

There’s nothing to suggest she’s only leaving because she “doesn’t need the money” either?

You did everything correctly, even gave them more notice.

they know they can take the piss as you do the job and give it 125% so lets get the most from you in the next 9 weeks

step off the gas, what exactly are they going to do if you can't keep up and clock off at normal time?

It would be reasonable to not do any overtime unless it is vital. It is not reasonable to expect to do your job to less than your full ability just because you’re retiring in a couple of months.

In my experience most people who are soon to retire are anxious to do a really good job right to the end, for their own self-respect if nothing else.

Do you really want people saying after you’ve left "Phew, thank goodness she’s finally gone. Her replacement does the job much better"?

Definitely don't work the extra hours. They have given you no reason to with no bonus etc for this period.

You should work your contracted hours, as that is what they are paying you for and it wouldn't be reasonable to change that as you are leaving. If it isn't hours stated as such, sticking to 9-5ish would be reasonable.

I would contact your boss and just inform them that as you are in your last couple of months before retirement, you will be sticking to the standard working day and will complete your work as able within those hours. Maybe check if there is a priority with the work they are giving as it isn't possible to complete all the tasks given within the contracted time.

I've learned in the past, by giving too much to an organisation that didn't care, you are just a number. You aren't indispensable. They need to, and will cope without you. If they don't start trying, what will they do when you finally finish? What can they do if you don't work extra now? They can't sack you for that, a poor reference makes no difference to you.

Enjoy your retirement!

Why would I care? I'll never see these people again.

Why would you do less work just because you're leaving in a couple of months?

You are being paid to work fgs

Not your employers job to ease you into retirement. They presumably want a days work for the salary they are continuing to pay you. I guess your replacement isnt in situ yet, so the work is there and still needs to be done.

You're retiring in 8 weeks and there's nothing they can hold over you at this point so what do you care what is expected?
Do the work at a comfortable pace, work your contracted hours and count down the days. What gets done gets done and what doesn't, someone else can do.

Just work your contracted hours. If stuff doesn't get done, tough shit.

But she's not being paid to work long hours and weekends. That has to stop immediately.

While I wouldn't expect to be given less work per se, in every job I've left once you've given in your notice there should be fewer meetings and other ongoing things to go to. If you are still getting pulled into meetings that are pointless now then perhaps you could push back on attending them @tiredofthisshit21

I think OPs problem is they want rather more than a day's work. The bonus used to serve as compensation for the extra hours, now OP doesn't have access to it so the incentive has gone.

This - unless they are tapering off your pay and benefits, why on earth would you expect to taper off your efforts? You work at full capacity until the day you leave. That’s what you are contractually paid to do.

Do your hours. Leave on time. What doesn't get done doesn't get done. If they ask why not tell them they have given you too much and you cannot do it all in your working hours. They will either give you less or bitch at you. Do not fold. Do your job to your usual high standard just don't do it out of hours. They can have good or they can have quick. They can't have both.

All of this plus get a massive piece of chalk and make hash marks on the wall of your office like you are in a prison movie.

I was in this position in my early 40s when I decided to leave to go to uni. Back then (1980s) applying to uni and choosing your uni, course etc was a year long process with no internet to help. The atmosphere in work (local government) was toxic with being expected to do more and more with less staff. I began to dial back and cease all the out of office activities and use the time for my uni application. I had a rather picky appraisal with my boss where he accused me of being "less productive" than in the previous year. I was sitting there with a confirmed offer at my chosen course in a good RG uni. It was with immense satisfaction that I told him that yes I was not working as hard as I did last year and this would be our last appraisal. He assumed i was leaving for another job and made some vague mention of my needing a reference,

What could he do? Nothing.

What can your boss do? Nothing.

Try a bit of quiet quitting - or go off sick for a few weeks./

That’s entirely up to you. I would care, for my own self-respect.

If you really don’t care, slack off as much as you like - but it’s unreasonable to expect your boss or company to want to facilitate this.