I think it was a round about way of saying there's nothing you can do. In normal circumstances, an employer can terminate your employment within one year and there's nothing you can do. However, I notice that you've said something about others being younger?? Could this be age discrimination? If it is you need to seek professional advice as you could well be on to a winner! Having said that, it is very frustrating when you're working alongside someone who is nearing retirement (not suggesting that you are) and who clearly works at half the speed of everyone else - it's not very productive, so I often sit on the fence over this age discrimination thing - not sure if it's good or bad.