I've got the blues

[greysangel]

It's a really good thing that I sort of had my eye on a plan b in terms of career. Over the past couple of weeks it has become pretty obvious that with three groups (including mine) merging into one consolidated group, there are going to be lay offs and shifts around. My boss has already asked me if I would consider going back to admin in our dept if it meant me being able to stay employed here. I said yes, but inside I am SCREAMING about this as I am basically where I started four years ago now. The same thing happened at my other job..I started as admin, just became a junior facilities manager and then BOOM reorg. Now I'm an office manager who was due for a much deserved title and promotion at the end of this year and now that's not going to happen.

I refuse to walk away as I am 7 months away from being vested with both 401 and pension. I really don't want to be an admin for the legal group because 1)I have my pride and 2)I am still going to be stuck doing the stuff I'm doing now..just no hope of advancement and junior title.

So I'm looking within the bank, but it stinks :( The bottom line is chances are I will have to admin just because there are a lot more open spots for something like that than office managing but I just feel like I am CONSTANTLY let down when it comes to work.

:( I know I should keep things in perspective as I was planning to hightail it out of here in time, but it just stinks because I know I am a great employee and work really hard.

j

[avariell]

I am really sorry you are going through this rough patch. I know from personal experience working for the large companies that don't seem to care about the workerbees can be really frustrating.

I don't have much advice, just wanted to say I empathize with what you are going through. I am finally fully vested in my 401k as of May, and I would be lying if I said that I am not contemplating my options now :o

[BarbaraL]

That stinks! I don't blame you for being upset. It's so discouraging when these corporate things happen. Twice in the past, I was essentially demoted when, after having received a promotion, the company restructured and consolidated the position I'd had with the position I was promoted to. Even though I didn't lose any salary, people at the lower level received raises, while those of us at the higher position did not -- so I was essentially back where I started!
I hope you can find an acceptable position, get your vesting, then find a fabulous job somewhere else.

[applecrisp]

Wish I could say something to make yourself feel better. I don't think 7 months is that long (although if you don't like what is going on with your job, it can feel soooo much longer). Hopefully it will go go rather fast. So just a thought --- speind that time really looking for a new position, polish up the resume, make a list of all the contacts you can reach out to when the time gets a bit closer. Do research, any agencies that handle your type of work... that type of thing. Just get all your ducks in a row and see if something comes up that you like better. And, if it does, you can decide weigh the pros and cons and make your decision from there. Maybe try to bank a few vacation days to save for possible interviews etc as the time comes closer -- in case you need to take the day off etc.

Good luck!

[Robyn1007]

I don't have much advice, just pure empathy. Last year, when everything fell apart at my job it was so discouraging and demeaning as I had thought it was going to be a wonderful start to my real career. Little did I know that in 3 months I would be so miserable that I couldn't stand going to work each day. I hope that you are able to stick it out so you're fully vested and then move on to much better things. At the time everything looked miserable to me and now I've been at a great job working for and with great people for a year (my anniversary is 9/11) and it feels like it's been so much shorter than that cause I love my job. I hope that gives you some hope that there are better things out there. (((JeAnne)))

[MrsReber]

Jeanne, I'm sorry to hear about the job situation. 7 months can seem like forever when you're doing something you don't enjoy. I think your plan is good, though, to stick it out. I wouldn't have dreamed of leaving my last job until I was fully vested in my 401 and pension plan. I'm very glad I waited as I left with a considerable chunk of change for retirement (and our good friend is managing that now :) )

Hopefully the time will go by very quickly and I agree that it gives you some time to plan and get the resume together. Or, who knows, maybe some interesting opportunities may open up within. When my last company was going to merge (it was actually bought) a ton employees jumped ship, leaving the company with 10% fewer employees. Then the merger fell through and now there are many, many open positions. Those who stuck it out are very happy they didn't walk away from the accrued benefits. So there may be an upside, you just never know.

[Chefzhat]

(((((hugs)))))) JeAnne. Reorganizations are so rough, and do more to stunt career growth than anything else. :( Hopefully the time will go fast and either another opportunity will open up, or your "dream" will come true.

xo
Debie

[newtricks]

JeAnne - that does stink. Call me crazy though - is there a chance that you could negotiate a good package? Maybe you could ask to be vested in the 401k and pension even. I just feel like if you're screaming inside about going back to admin, then the answer to your boss is actually "no". I know from working in hr that the first thing they are doing is looking for some easy ways to shift around and it doesn't mean that they don't value you. They really are feeling out the situation. Great employees who actually work really hard are not that easy to come by and you deserve better treatment. Think about giving the message of "look, I worked hard to get here. I deserve to stay here. And if you're going to let me go, then you need to make it worth my while to leave" That way you leave with your title and level and go into that level at your next job too.

I'm really sorry this is happening.

[greysangel]

Barbara - I actually thought about doing this, but I don't think I'm in position to do that...or I'm too scared to do that. And plus my boss is worried about her position as she is going to be reporting to a new person. To me it seems like she would be doing what you suggest, not me. I'm the low man on the totem pole in terms of seniority (she's been here like 17 years) and title (she's a director and I'm non officer titled with only a functional title...and yet we do the same job :mad: :mad: :mad: )

JeAnne - that does stink. Call me crazy though - is there a chance that you could negotiate a good package? Maybe you could ask to be vested in the 401k and pension even. I just feel like if you're screaming inside about going back to admin, then the answer to your boss is actually "no". I know from working in hr that the first thing they are doing is looking for some easy ways to shift around and it doesn't mean that they don't value you. They really are feeling out the situation. Great employees who actually work really hard are not that easy to come by and you deserve better treatment. Think about giving the message of "look, I worked hard to get here. I deserve to stay here. And if you're going to let me go, then you need to make it worth my while to leave" That way you leave with your title and level and go into that level at your next job too.

I'm really sorry this is happening.

[TKay]

Oh, that is such a bummer. I'm so sorry. I got bumped out of my very first job outta college--a job I loved and was so proud of--because the company was bought out. That wasn't my only lay-off either. So I know how cruddy it can be. And to be asked to do a job you're overqualified for, ugh!
I think if you can somehow hang in there for the next 7 months, get vested and then look for something else, that would be best. In the meantime, I'm so sorry.

[jmarie]

but it just stinks because I know I am a great employee and work really hard.

And this is what really hurts. It just isn't corporations that are blind to this. there are NO rewards for being a GREAT employee who works really hard. Self satisfaction, sure....but every once in awhile, one would like to be noticed instead of being shuffled around.:(

My best to you, in a situation that just sucks.

[wallycat]

Nothing to add work wise, just sending virtual hugs and hopeful things will improve.

I agree that the vested part is important if it means sticking it out less than a year, but I also know how frustrating that is!!

[buffygirl]

JeAnne, one thought is to possibly negotiate a management role *of* the admin group they are sending you back to. Hugs, and here's to hoping you come out on top.

Kim

[newtricks]

Barbara - I actually thought about doing this, but I don't think I'm in position to do that...or I'm too scared to do that. And plus my boss is worried about her position as she is going to be reporting to a new person. To me it seems like she would be doing what you suggest, not me. I'm the low man on the totem pole in terms of seniority (she's been here like 17 years) and title (she's a director and I'm non officer titled with only a functional title...and yet we do the same job :mad: :mad: :mad: )

Uh, yeah, your boss should be going to bat for you (and probably is as much as she feels able to? I hope so). You certainly deserve another conversation with her to find out what she knows exactly, what she thinks all your options are, and for you to tell her how you honestly feel about going back to admin. I don't know what your relationship is like with your boss so maybe this isn't possible. But I say stand up for yourself. Believe me, other people are fighting for themselves and you're gonna be pissed if someone who doesn't work as hard as you do (and may I mention is not a TV star!) comes out better just because they spoke up.

Rah Rah - I'm trying to be your empowering cheerleader ;)