Being pushed out of a job- any advice?

I'm looking for some advice for a friend of mine and hoping someone can point her in the right direction. She's been with her current job roughly 2-3 years now and like all businesses, trade isnt what it was.
She was pulled aside by one of the supervisors giving her a heads up that one of the bosses suggested letting her go but nothing has been said to her directly. It was suggested that in her fifties, she didnt fit in with the younger dynamic look they're looking for. Shortly afterwards, she was moved to a more junior position on a trial basis, the trial being up next week and a meeting is due to be held. Is there anything she can do should they tell her the trial didnt work out and they want her to leave even though shes already there a few years? Any help much appreciated.

tabris6ie said:

I'm looking for some advice for a friend of mine and hoping someone can point her in the right direction. She's been with her current job roughly 2-3 years now and like all businesses, trade isnt what it was.
She was pulled aside by one of the supervisors giving her a heads up that one of the bosses suggested letting her go but nothing has been said to her directly. It was suggested that in her fifties, she didnt fit in with the younger dynamic look they're looking for. Shortly afterwards, she was moved to a more junior position on a trial basis, the trial being up next week and a meeting is due to be held. Is there anything she can do should they tell her the trial didnt work out and they want her to leave even though shes already there a few years? Any help much appreciated.

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It would be important at this stage that your friend start keeping a diary of events and incidents - particularly converations about "age and not fitting in". Your friend was moved to a more junior position - why and was this done with consultation and with her agreement - is it a case that her original job no longer exists - and has she received a reduction in salary? Firstly, does your friend have a contract of employment? Is there a grievance proceedings policy in the place of employment. If your friend is a member of a trade union - she should bring this to their attention immediately. In respect to the employers comments about age and not fitting in - this could be grounds for discrimination under the Employment Equality Acts if a situation subsequently occurs that she is made redundant. The move to the more junior position - if without consultation and agreement - and if the working environment is made unbearable by the employer - this can constitute constructive dismissal.... and whatever your friend does dont give up the job - it will put your friend in a much stronger position if she chooses to take a case of discrimination or constructive dismissal as the employer will have to present their case first! She would also be entitled to receive redundancy from the employer after 2 years of work.