Amen: you need to just go! I don't know why, if you stopped to think about it, you'd think it was worth any kind of fight to stay in a situation with such a bunch of dummies running the place. Granted, your next employer's board won't likely all be Mensa members, but it still seems finding a new job is less trouble and more likely to succeed than fighting. But do the documentation as a fallback, in case they act before you're ready to. Ideally, you can negotiate a nice lump sum, then start your new job very soon. And think seriously about drafting a really nice letter of recommendation for your boss to sign.

I agree completely with the first commenter. Well written. I myself had this happen. A co-worker of mine got the bosses' ear. I was new to the company on top of it. She pumped a lot of misinformation into him. I went out with my head high. I wrote an information letter to HR to defend myself. We settled for a lump sum. And guess what? 3 yrs later, the whole division was closed (merger mania)and 450 people laid off, including my boss and co-worker.

Moral: what goes around comes around and while I feel sorry for the 448 other people who got the ax
I think my boss and co-worker received their just rewards.

All of the advice given thus far has been great. This is why it is extremely critical to build up a personal network *before* you have a specific need, as Bob hints at the end of his remarks.

Too many people shy away from this because they see it as time-wasting politics, but if they recognized that there are significant benefits from building and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships, they would see more value in pursing network-building as a regular activity.

This is a critical component of a successful professional career, as it facilitates progress in collaborative projects, and also mitigates some of the backstabbing that can occur with your less upstanding colleagues.

The company described in this situation certainly falls into the category of a bad one to work for. Have they ever heard the term 'governance'? Very shoddy to have employees and board members discussing other employees. The board has no business having any say about hiring and firing employees other than the ones that report directly to them (president or senior VPs, etc.) In other words, you shouldn't feel bad at all about getting out of there.

Another possible avenue: Consider the indirect, unofficial sabotage of simply doing your work. As in: Do what needs to be done, but don't be pro-active at teaching anyone else how to do what you do, and if there are arcane ways that things must be done, keep that to yourself, too. If someone else is brought in before you are let go, assume he or she's your replacement and teach them only what's required to get their existing job done, not yours. Sometimes, it's hard to draw lines, but if you've ever operated on a "need to know" basis, then treat everything you know in that light. It's especially useful if your IT role has any responsibility for payroll - nothing makes people panic more than thinking they won't be able to get checks out on time.

When & if you're let go, if you're lucky, all hell will break loose. It's not unlikely someone will call you asking "How do we...." to which the proper response is "My contractor rate is $125/hour (or whatever) billed in one-hour increments. I'll be happy to assist on that basis; I just need approval from for the charges and I'll be glad to start the clock running."

Either they'll give in and pay, or they'll suffer through and try to figure it out on their own. Either way there will be a cost to the company, and your ex-boss will be able to say "I was opposed to firing someone of his experience and value. Frankly, I think considering the way he was pushed out, we're lucky he's even willing to help at any cost." If he's really on your side, that is.

I'm having the same problem and I too am in the IT field. Best thing to do prepare to defend yourself with your achievements. More importantly, get out there and really give it 101% looking for a new role.

Ensure you stay positive, this will reflect when interviewing but will also confuse the people who are back stabbing you. Don't react to them, listen, breath deep, thing of a calm and positive response and say it with a smile.

"I am surmising that the co-workers mentioned are threatened by me because they lack technical knowledge, something I have demonstrated to them multiple times in the past."

Perhaps you're being fired for being a know-it-all prick.

---JRE---

I have so many stab marks in my back from previous jobs that I look like a porcupine walking down the halls.

With a lot of experience on this subject I can tell you to document all instances of "defamation of character" (basically, anything said about you and your work that's not true).

Also write down the behavior and comments of the 2 coworkers causing you problems. Their behavior has definitely caused a "hostile work environment". Their attitude can make them careless and say things that can get them in legal trouble if it's documented.

I did the same when I realized my butt was on the block and went to H/R pro-actively with my notes. Of course they knew nothing of any inappropriate behavior by a few co-workers and managers, but were floored when I showed them my documentation.

Getting to H/R first can make a HUGE difference. The H/R people actually blurted out a few things I also documented because they admitted I had a case.

Now the back-stabbing bastards leave me alone. I can do my work in peace while looking for a new position.

If you find a better job - don't bother bringing this up in your exit interview. Businesses don't care about comments made from exiting employees.

Use your notes only if needed. However you could always e-mail this information to anyone just before you leave.

Just remember that backstabbers are insecure and usually not competent at their own jobs and have to make themselves look good.

The people who are responsible for this childish behavior are the decision-makers who believe what some people say about others without checking it out for themselves. They're the one's who should be shit-canned.

I think I will try the suggestions of drafting an employee evaluation and give it to my boss to fill out. He said he would help me in a job search; I guess we'll find out if he's trustworthy or not.
The employer is in a very small town and the stabbers have a good foothold in the community, where as I am an outsider. As far as being a know-it-all, my last job had a couple of those and after enduring their drivel, I committed myself to not be that guy. The stabbers are in roles that teach computer usage to others, and I have shown them up in private dealings or through email - never in public.