Dear Abby: It has been five years since I finished my position as a professor at a small graduate school. After 30 years of teaching, I was forced to retire with two years to go before my announced retirement date. I didn’t do anything wrong. The reasons given were vague. I was deeply hurt by being deprived of a solid explanation.
There was no severance pay or benefits. I lost a significant amount of income at a critical time in my life and no one seemed to think about it. For a long time, I was heartbroken. I still cannot forgive the dean and the president. But somehow I feel like I should. How can I get out of this impasse? Actually, I’ve made progress in many ways, but I just can’t forgive myself.
— still hurts
For those who are hurt: Here’s how to resolve the issue. Find a competent wrongful termination lawyer and discuss what was done to you. If you follow your lawyer’s advice and receive proper compensation, you will feel much more forgiving than you are now.
Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
