Usurped at work by younger person

Hello LB@60
I didn't want to pass by without sending you a kind word of support.
In your shoes I think I'd start keeping a work journal. A physical notebook or something on your computer at home maybe? Without emotion describe what the situation/project is/was that you're presented with and then under a separate heading write How It Made Me Feel.
This might help to distil and calm what's going on in your head and might help as evidence should the need arise? It sounds as if there might be a bit of "constructive dismissal" creeping in here so evidence is key if you need to take it further.
I do hope you can continue with peace if mind. I am sorry it's making you upset.

New bosses tend to do this. They want to build “their team”. It was an unpleasant way to do it and reflected his own inexperience in the management role. Younger colleagues are ambitious and “thrust” into roles they want.

If you can reframe what happened as a statement about them rather than you and your competence it might help your self esteem. What has happened is not about your personal competence, the same thing would have happened to anyone occupying your role. It’s about what they wanted, it just happened to be you that was in the way.

On a practical level you can decide to be helpful, but start stepping back, seeing it as a preparation for eventual retirement. Or if you don’t feel ready for that you could ask for a different role and a new project, as this colleague will now be dealing with your area. That will make life more difficult for them without your experience and expertise, so really it’s how far you can grit your teeth and be supportive to them or whether you’d prefer to leave them to

I really hope you can find a way to still enjoy your final years at work.

I'm with Nonogran and think that's an excellent idea. If you have a smart phone or even camera phone take photos or make pdf s of anything that might be said that is derogatory towards you. I don't think it is professional to not allow you time to read through the new plan and disagree that it is not a union matter. If anything you need to discuss it with a union rep and let them know how bad this has made you feel. There may be room in the new plan for you to take an active role and support the younger colleagues as you head towards retirement. Try not to feel bad and don't listen to rumours. It might in the end be a fresh way of dealing with things.

It's interesting that even friendly work colleagues are avoiding answering your questions. Without wanting to be unkind is it possible that your boss might be doing the right thing? Ie appointing a fresh pair of eyes? While your distress is obvious and very understandable, you clearly have insight which is reflected in your post.
I think some good suggestions have been made especially about keeping a record of what's happened and also how that made you feel. Do you have supervision meetings with your boss or is there a private and formal way to raise how you feel about being so apparently sidelined?
This is an upsetting time for you. Always remember that you won't always feel like this. This too shall pass.

I agree with peasblossom work with them and just wait until they come across a situation. One they cannot resolve but you could with your expertise. You are taking this situation to heart and stressing about about it. Your in the last couple of years of work that you obviously enjoy try to relax more.

Wise words, thank you so much to everyone.

The other colleagues who you regard as friends are probably watching their own back also.

This is a horrible thing to happen and unfortunately is becoming more common as people have to work longer to access their full pension than originally planned, with financial repercussions for management. It is also a strategy encouraged on management courses for the young, ambitious and thrusting, (attack more experienced members of staff) with no regard for whole staff management strategy.
You do need to cover your back so keep a journal, as unemotional as possible and in a safe place, but don't dwell on it. Make sure your work is of its usual high standard and maintain pleasant relations with the newest member, but stand your ground if necessary. Do consult your union rep and register the fact you were not given time to read a proposal concerning you before being outvoted on it, and clarify your position.
This is not about you and your personal competence, this is about two inexperienced but ambitious people seeking self-advancement at your expense. Concentrate on doing your job well and enjoying your last few years of work, and as you say, maintaining your dignity and self-respect.

I disagree. Taking personalities out of it, it's all about the actual work that has to be done. Management will be judged on efficiency rather than causing staff upsets.

I feel for you. I’ve been in that situation and it was horrible. New boss, new colleague who, unlike yours, was only a couple of years younger than me. My advice is to stay strong. I let it get to me and ended up off work for 6 weeks. In my late 50s, I changed jobs and worked in a new organisation till I retired. Keep your head up, appear helpful and be kind to yourself. Lots of love. ?

A similar thing happened to me a few years back. Do document everything, I mean everything! If you are asked to do something send an email confirming what was discussed, this will come in very handy should the very worst happen - good luck.

Nononan and peasblossom are very much on my wavelengh. Plus this happened to me too. I was upset but kept my head down and got on with the work I was provided with way below my capabilities but then the favoured colleague made a lot of rash decisions and I was called back to 'assist'. As irritated as I was I just got on and found a new enjoyment in the work I was set and admit found the new comer left.

This happened to me years ago and fortunately I was in a position to leave them to it and take early retirement but after a few weeks I was asked to go back and help out. I didn’t go back but perhaps you could just sit back and watch what happens, they may well need your expertise but it’s up to you how you pass on your knowledge, we were all young and ambitious once.

Stick with it, do what needs to be done and hard as it is, swallow your pride.
As others have said, the rest of your colleagues may also be very much on edge with having a new boss with "new" ideas.
One thing I will say, is keep a record of all occasions such as this, including any photos, paperwork etc. If you record anything that involves other people, you must ask permission from them to do so.
Further along the line, if needed your evidence can be used at an industrial tribunal , should the worst come to the worst.

Please make sure you're in a union (apologies if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs)

This is a difficult one and my heart goes out to you for the hurt it is causing you. On one hand you have a wealth of experience which is valuable. On the other hand, your young colleague will have fresh ideas and enthusiasm to make her mark on the world. This often causes upset as the experienced member of staff feels like they are be pushed out whilst the less experienced one feels an impatience for progress. This can work badly if both or one party are resistant to cooperation but can be an excellent balance of skills where they can work together.
Is there any way that you can arrange a documented meeting with your colleague to discuss a way forward whereby you can acknowledge her breath of fresh air, listen to her ideas and make any changes which will enhance the way you all work? Maybe recognition of her skills will encourage her to recognise your.
I would probably also craft a carefully thought out email to my boss (copied to my home email so it cannot be lost on the server) which expressed my concerns that I was being sidelined and asking for an assurance that this wasn't so. Any talk of the new colleague having modern ideas can be met with a request for updated training. Document everything and any discussions should be followed up with an email summarising the outcomes.
By all means keep a journal but be careful you are not only focussing on the negative. Maybe reflect on the positive too to show that you are not just nitpicking.

You didn’t say how long you had been in your job and I empathise with you. However as a previous company owner and manager of young staff. I completely embraced all their brilliant ideas and I learnt from them Situations are fluid as are ideas. I also learnt recently - as I’ve been coaching in the latter 10 years of my working life and I’m 66. that as a young person don’t go to person for coaching who is 20 years older than you as their ideas are older! and I’ve really taken the importance of that on. With your situation I would say either come up with your own bright and enthusiastic ideas as things change dramatically in work force places. And look above and beyond the indicators of your job. You could also be displaying unintentionally your unhappiness about having to work longer. I too did not get my pension at 60! Not a nice position you find yourself in and can be embraced and work on by you. You won’t hold youngsters back so learn to swim with them. I loved all the energy that my young team brought to the table. On saying all of this it might have been nice for the OP to run it by you - but if she’s not expected to then why blame her. Just my perspective!

You don’t say how many years you have to work until retirement age but when that time comes the management will need to fill your position. Do you think that they may be easing this junior colleague into your position in readiness for that time?
As you can’t change how things are, it may be helpful to change your thinking.
I would make myself the mentor of this young colleague and help them in any way I could, while mentioning I was doing this to help them and for the smooth transition in the future.
Make a friend of them instead of feeling pushed out and anxious, be an active part of the new plan.

This sounds awful! It shouldn't have happened, but, as you said, nothing much is likely to be done if you raise the matter formally. I hate to say it, but could you honestly not cope financially in the gap before State Pension kicks in? Most people can cope with a lot less than they think they can. One of my brothers did this when new systems were brought in when he was 3 years off retirement. It made him very unhappy. Could you take the occupational pension and get even a part-time job to fill in? Although some sectors have taken a hit, others are taking on staff. I recently met a former Detective Inspector from the Regional Crime Squad working in the local Waitrose. He said he was happy as Larry - a bad day at the office these days was when someone dropped a box of eggs in the aisle! Good luck with whatever you decide.

Ouch that’s not good. I feel for you and have been through something similar. Took early retirement and managed on my occupational pension. I was lucky in that my partner supports me but if he hadn’t I’d have looked for another job. Something less stressful and maybe more fun. Something that you have an interest in.
My knee jerk reaction was to stay, and be an advocate and teacher for the less experienced. But that’ll be tough watching your job being done by someone else. Have they said what they do want you to do in future? They need to find you suitable alternative employment under employment law.
If you really need the cash and can tough it out stay and find yourself a little niche to last you out. If not I’d fly away and find a new life. Good luck. ??. Ps it’s a big world out there. You might be surprised.

This may develop into what is known as "bossing", the boss's version of "mobbing". I agree, make notes of date, time, person, what was said or done, so that you have the details at hand should this go against you. Sad, though, that this is happening. We also have a new boss who is keen on saving money, and the "human factor" is being overlooked. But, in our case, no one is fond of him and his new methods.

Had this all through my working life. So I know where you are coming from and ended up retiring early because it happened yet again. Smile - take your pay- let them do all the grafting. Be ready to jump in with a smile when they need your help. But more importantly plan your retirement. Get ready to go on your terms if and when you want to and not because they forced you. I worked for the NHS and got bullied out of my last two posts. I had years of experience, loads of qualifications and a degree. Yet they were happy to have uneducated youngster with no experience as they were cheaper to employ. Sometimes the only way you can beat them is by retiring.
My old boss was so shocked when I told her and her expression was priceless.

As others have said keep a record of what has been asked of you and how/if you deal with it. If possible I would go to you boss and suggest that in order for them to have free reign to do their thing that you could be utilised in another role, try to make it sound like you could do more good on the suggestion and want to give the new team a clear run. Then it'll be up to you how much 'assistance' you give them.

There are 2 things you can do, share your knowledge to help the younger colleague or keep it to yourself. Choose wisely I didn't ?