Should I report this to my manager

[AntiCreep]

I will start by saying it seems fairly minor but it was deliberate on the part of the other party.

I work in a team with quite a few older people taking partial retirement when they hit 60. I am in my late fifties. I’m not vain and probably look my age.

A male in my team (who doesn’t like me) asked me very pointedly a couple of weeks ago if I would be joining in partial retirement. I just said no, not yet and went about my day.

Today again he asked me if I had already taken partial retirement. I said er no. A woman colleague chimed in and said (jokingly) he shouldn’t refer to a ladies age.

I know he dislikes me because my manager chose me for something over him a few months ago (I volunteered first).

I feel this is targeted bullying to try and humiliate me. Should I report this to my manager? I know he has form for this kind of thing. Another colleague, whom I trust, advised me to be wary of him and said his old team (whom he managed) didn’t have a good word for him.

Next time “No, are you taking it Derek?” Big smile.

Time after that ”Are you okay Derek? You keep asking me the same question” Super concerned face.

I would send an email, so you have a written record, copy your manger and HR, and ask him why he is asking you on multiple occasions if you have taken partial retirement, as your personal circumstances are private.

Point out in the email that if he himself needs further info on how to apply for partial retirement for himself, he should contact HR privately, and you expect that this is the last he will address this to you personally.

He sounds like a twat

Thanks both.
I wish I had thought of that retort at the time. I think I will mention it to my manager. She takes stuff like that seriously.

The great thing about Dereks is they’re predictable, he WILL ask you again and you can be ready with the drawing him into conversation about his plans, fake concern about his memory, or the advice about how he can contact HR as seems appropriate in the moment.

Thanks @Qwerty111 I will have my response ready!!

I can’t see the issue asking anyone in there late 50’s if they’re considering partial retirement that’s the age group that do

very common where I used to work and you can grab your pension at 55

sounds like a few do it at your work

The issue was very pointedly asking me, first off. This was shouting over a bank of desks, when he was in discussion with other people. ‘AC will you be joining in with partial retirement?’ And I said no, not yet.

And then asking me today if I WAS partially retired, just a couple of weeks later. Knowing full well I was not. People in our team do tend to talk about it at great length. It’s quite a small team and he knew absolutely I am not yet at that age! Also as there are relatively few people of my grade in the team, our manager would have mentioned having to reallocate cases.

@Qwerty111 had it spot on. I’m in my 60s and that is what I have done, Two other options, if there are any senior people, board level, approx. your age working full time, Gosh Derek, if you asked AJ that, you might be in trouble! or Derek, people used to ask women if they were planning on having a baby, if you did that nowadays you would end up in an Employment Tribunal; asking people about retirement is similar given there is no longer a retirement age. Big smile.

Yep, this!