I've been searching for so long...
It was by a Russian writer, or maybe it was set in Russia, I'm not sure.
I don't remember the exact story, but it centers around this man who works a menial job, I think for the government. I think maybe he was a hack writer? Not sure. Well one day, after years and years of doing the same job, he gets promoted. But he was so used to his old job that he couldn't handle the new job and went back to his old job. All the newer younger workers who got hired always made fun of this guy.
I don't remember every detail, but that's roughly how the story goes. Help! I'm desperate! Anything would help.