I have been working at the same company for 24 years.  A former collegue at my same level is now the #2 person in the company, mostly by sleeping with the boss.  She's got a personal vendetta against me and is trying every way she can to get me fired.  I was recently out on vacation and she trumped up some charges against me which got me transferred to another department with twice the workload, where I'm being set up for failure.  My immediate boss seems to be sympathetic with me but can do very little since the monster is over her also.  I have a heart problem and the stress is getting to me.  Please help.

Unfortunately it sounds like your employment there may be in jeopardy.  Employment in California is generally considered at-will.  Which means that the employer can terminate you for just about any reason.  There are federal laws that prohibit discrimination by age, sex, religion, national origin, or disability.  You may have cause for litigation but you need to sit down with an attorney that specializes in employment law to make that determination.

You are 60 and have been there 24 years, so one avenue I would explore is age discrimination.  Does your company routinely get rid of older workers?  Are there any pension issues here?  Like if they fire you before 25 years do they save a boat load of money?  You may also have cause for good faith dealing, like did they imply you had some measure of job security.  Either way an attorney presented with all the details will be able to tell you for sure.

Remember employment law is complex and like being a doctor there are specialties in law and employment law is a specialty.  In order to know if you have a case you need to get a consultation.  This should be free.  If you have an organized case file it will really help them determine if you have a case. Before you go you should start preparing.  The better you organize your claim the more likely the attorney can give you a good idea as to your chances of success. What you need to do is to compile evidence and see an attorney.  When I say compile evidence you have to put together in great detail as much as possible.  Including:

1) Your employee handbook. Did you sign one? Do you have that copy?

2) Anything related to your pension / retirement benefits.

3) A list of people that have been terminated and why.  This is good to see if there is a pattern.  Get as much detail as possible.

4) Get copies of all communication, like Email to and from you or Memos to the employees. Make an organized folder.

5) Start keeping a journal of your work day.  Keeping note of any particular activities that seem wrong or hostile.  Note who said what and who was there including witnesses.

6) Organize a copy of any work evaluations.

While you are preparing your case keep yourself out of trouble.  Do not argue or otherwise give them a reason to fire you.  Do not surf on the internet or send resumes while at work.  Get your information ready as soon as possible and see the attorney.

If you have a legal case the attorney will tell you what you need to do.  If you don't have a case then your options are really limited.  You can either stay on the job there or look for new employment.  If you decide to stay on the job and want to try to make it better reply back with much more detail as to why this woman hates you so much.  People generally have reasons to be mad at someone even if they are not good reasons.  Maybe there is a way to get her off your back.

Good luck and please write back with any feedback or updates. ^__^