CAREER COACH

I am over 40 and was laid off, but I received the same severance package as a younger person with the same tenure as me. Am I not protected because of my age, and shouldn’t I be entitled to more severance? Can I try to negotiate or should I get a lawyer?

First of all, I am sorry that you’ve lost your job — that isn’t easy for anyone — and it is common to feel aggrieved and look for some injustice in the decision. Age discrimination laws apply to people 40 and over. It just goes to show how old and outdated the law is when you think that a 40-year-old needs protection from being fired because they are considered old. The age discrimination laws don’t entitle you to more severance, however. They may entitle you to more disclosure about who else was laid off and their ages, and it may require you to have more time to consider the severance terms, which is determined by the company’s policy and usually takes into account tenure and level within the organization, not age. But if you have questions about your termination, the circumstances and whether you have a claim, then I do suggest you speak to a lawyer.

I left a job in a small business where I was very unhappy. What was promised in the interview was vastly different than the actual job. I left an honest review on Glassdoor and the owner of the business contacted me to take down the review. I complied but am left feeling that I caved under pressure. I am tempted to rewrite it and post again. I feel I have a duty to warn others. What do you think?

I think you have to do what you feel is right. I’m not sure what the owner said to get you to take it down. Was there an honest misunderstanding about the role? Is it possible that you contributed by making assumptions or not asking the questions you should have in the interview? I’m not trying to blame you, I’m just wondering how big the problem was and how much prospective employees need to be warned. Glassdoor is considered by many as a place for aggrieved employees to vent so its impact is usually limited. But, if what you have to say is objective, factual and fair, then what’s to debate? Just post it and move on.