This is partly for me to vent, and partly for me to ask advice.
I am 67 years old working in upstate NY. I have been employed at my company for 12 years. Never been written up, reviews have all been above average.
My supervisor has his favorites and I am not in his 'inner circle'.
Over the past year my responsibilities have been slowly assigned to others. I was planning to work for another year, at a minimum, January 2027 to pick up some stock options and corporate bonus.
A month ago, my manager asked me "How long do I plan on keep working?"
I told him another year or two.
He then asked me "Think about what kind of package would it take for you to leave. Write up what you want and I promise to talk to HR and to fight for you"
So I wrote up a list (12 months severance, paid 12 months Cobra, stock options vesting.). I used both what I heard others received, as well as AI.
My boss asked me to send it via non-corporate channels. So I sent the proposal to him via SMS (in hindsight, that was probably a red flag). I sent him my proposal, he wrote (again, on a non-corporate channel), that my request was 'reasonable'
Suddenly, my boss gave notice and resigned. He told me that he spoke to my new supervisor and Human Resources.
I had a meeting with my new manager yesterday, and he stated "So I was told you approached your old boss about a package."
Needless to say, my jaw hit the floor! I corrected him, and stated that no, *HE* initiated the conversation.
[EDIT] - _My new boss suggested that I set up a meeting with Human Resources, which I did._
I now have a meeting on Monday with Human Resources, but I fully expect that they were also told incorrect or misleading information as well.
My question is, how much did that reduce my bargaining?
Should I contact a lawyer?
Again, nothing was on corporate channels. I don't want to deal with a 'he said' situation. I could would just work there until January, pick up some stock options and corporate bonus, and then leave, but I was under the impression that my 'package' would be greater than that.
Questions:
Is there anything specific I should tell HR in my meeting on Monday?
Should I seek legal representation?
Any other advice?