Happened to me. I had a permanent position lined up as head of department when the current one retired. Decent position in a job I enjoyed and was good at.

He retired as the company was bought up by an “equal opportunity employer” ( read racial quota type affirmative action) and there were not enough “minority” employees to make 2 for the 1 of lil ol honky me.

Front office was trying to find a “minority” individual with a “handicap” to qualify as 2 so I could be retained.