Worked for 50 years at one company, 70-year-old manager fired without farewell or severance

A story that began on the social media platform Reddit has brought attention to how long-serving employees are treated by their employers. A former worker shared that his manager, a man in his early 70s who had spent more than 50 years at the same company, was suddenly fired without a farewell event or severance pay, leaving colleagues shocked and disappointed. This account shows that older workers are still worried about job security and how things are done at work. What makes this case notable is the length of service and the lack of formal separation benefits, which many workers expect after decades with a company, highlighting broader concerns about respect and recognition in the workplace.

After 50 years at the company, manager fired following a PIP review

According to the Reddit post shared by a former colleague, the manager had been with the organisation for over 50 years. He held a leadership position and was well known among staff for mentoring and supporting them, including helping with professional development. But after a multinational company bought the company, his job was looked at again.

In early February, the manager was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Employers sometimes use PIPs to set performance goals for workers who may not meet expectations. In this case, the post claimed that the issues cited were not directly related to the manager’s daily responsibilities, but costs attributed to his department triggered the action. Shortly after, the company terminated his employment on the basis that he had not satisfied the PIP criteria.

The Reddit user also noted that during a previous round of layoffs in December, other employees with much shorter tenures received separation packages, but the long-serving manager did not. Staff suggested that documentation from the PIP was used to justify avoiding severance payments.

No severance or farewell

According to the post, the manager was neither given severance pay nor a farewell gathering to mark his departure. A severance package is a form of compensation many workers expect when a company ends their employment, especially after long service. But the terms of employment and severance pay differ from company to company and contract to contract. In this case, the former employee's post said that the manager left without getting paid for his long-time working there.

Public reactions

Several users reacted strongly to the post, sharing similar experiences and concerns. One user commented, “I am so sorry to hear this,” while another added, “Something similar happened to me last year.” Some users expressed frustration with corporate workplaces, with one user writing, “This is exactly why I loathe the corporate club.” Others raised concerns about the company’s next steps, as one comment claimed, “He’ll be replaced by someone completely unsuited.” A few users also suggested legal action, with comments such as, “He should get an attorney” and “He needs a lawyer ASAP.”