It often happens that retired tenured professors like to come back to teach part-time as lecturers. I have hired several such retired colleagues over the years and it’s been a massive mistake every time. These are all great people, I love them but they can’t process the change in status and adapt. The behave like incredible divas, and it’s just not worth the relentless drama.
One example. Part-time lecturers don’t get their own offices. They have to share. But people who haven’t shared an office in 30 years can’t suddenly learn to do it. They feel slighted, humiliated, persecuted.
It got to the point where on Friday one such individual used the fact that I was out sick and tried to break into the office of a colleague who’s on leave, throw away her stuff and occupy her office.
Yes, this is the kind of stuff I have to deal with.
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