So I sent my boss and his boss an email stating that I felt overwhelmed and in over my head. I requested a talk to go over my options and assured them that I was still committed to the company and my mission.
HUGE MISTAKE.
If you’ve ever been in a situation where you think you’ll be able to count on the basic decency and humanity of people you’ve worked your ass off for for years… don’t.
I found out the following:
-despite the company’s EBITDA rising exponentially year over year, the “company isn’t doing too well” (but they do have budget to outright buy out our competitors in order to create a quasi-monopoly) and all teams’ budgets are under strain this year (read: no raises no matter your performance)
-my direct superior, whom I’ve begged for extra guidance/trainings for the past three years, is apparently completely fed up with me and these requests and has wanted to fire me for over a year now.
-only reason I haven’t been fired yet is simply because no one else wants to do this job. But they are still looking for a (cheaper) replacement
-his superior is slightly more amenable and, although a few years ago he called me “the absolute best of his CSR’s”, feels like “I’ve grown apart from the company”. Yeah, no shit sherlock. That’s what I’m trying to address here
-They feel it would be best if I went looking for employment elsewhere as they “don’t really see a future for me in the current company structure”.
All in all, the tall grass stands out (for mowing).
Regardless, it’s crystal clear that I’ve now painted a(n extra) target on my back, and would’ve been much better off stewing on my own rather than call attention to myself in any way. Lesson learned. Don’t make my mistake, just STFU, act like all’s well and look for other employment in silence.
If they haven’t fired you, it’s because they can’t, for one or several of three reasons:
- They have nobody else.
- They legally can’t because if you didn’t do anything wrong and they haven’t addressed your concerns, and didn’t document meticulously why they fired you, you can take them to court for wrongful termination.
- They have to give you a severance pay and they don’t want to pay up.
That’s why they’re trying to get you to quit on your own: if you do, they’re off the hook.
I know that because the previous company I worked for, where I was a manager, tried to get me to offboard a member of my team whom they deemed troublesome that way and I refused.
So my advice is: don’t quit!
Instead, behave impeccably and document the reasonable requests that you asked your manager. If you feel overwhelmed, tell your manager and don’t do extra work that would hurt you. Go see a shrink and tell them you don’t feel well because your work is putting extra demands on you. Document your having to see a shrink because of your job, and any prescription pills they might give you.
Build arguments in your favor and don’t let them off easy. If / when they finally fire you, show them the file and ask them if they’re willing to go to court over it.
And of course, if you’re in a union, go see your union rep. That’s what unions are for.
Or do the bare minimum and find another job. He doesn’t owe these people anything and if his job is so shit and impacting him so badly then get out as quickly as possible.
If there is not a realistic option of moving careers (e.g. close to retirement) then maybe what youre suggesting is worthwhile for him. But otherwise gearing up for a fight over a job he doesn’t even want isn’t worth it.
The costs on his mental health and well being and the continued opportunity cost of being in a job he hates when he could be in one he likes isn’t worth it.
I’d do the bare minimum and spend every effort on getting a new job. Its been made clear his company doesn’t want him, and they can’t fire him for whatever reason - so make use of that window.
What he said. Also record meetings if you can. And last but not least archive, print or forward emails to a personal account if they don’t check. It can be a good proof in the future.
Be careful doing this, as it could be construed as data exfiltration.
Read whatever user agreement you signed to gain access to a computer, read it thoroughly. Theres probably a digital equivalent of “miranda rights” telling you what data they monitor and what ways it can be used as justification to revoke access or fire you.
I know. If it’s a big company, they would have serious IT I guess, but most small to medium companies I worked with had one IT guy that didn’t care about anything. The point is not to show the proof, it’s to say that you have everything should they decide to fire you.
I don’t know your exact situation, but I do have a degree in HR and I have worked in talent management now for a few years. Here are some things to consider.
- Your employer should be giving you feedback, at least quarterly, but even better if it’s ongoing dialogue. It’s unfortunate that the one time you do reach out, you got shut down.
- It sounds to me that your company is not doing a good job with Talent Management and succession planning. No wonder they’re “not doing too well.”
- The hard truth is you have the obligation to yourself. Your employer can only go so far. Don’t become the victim here. There is no loyalty anymore and the market compensates for that. Job changes are by far the best way to get a pay increase.
- Moreover, every job has an optimal wage. A CSR can only be paid so much before it no longer makes sense for the company financially. If you enjoy being a CSR, great, but unless you are willing to take on more responsibility (e.g. being a Sr. or lead) or more technical skills, expect that you will eventually hit a wage limit.
- It sounds like your former boss, now the manager above your direct report, thinks highly of you. So perhaps part of the issue is a personality one between you and your direct supervisor. It does seem like you have utility here. If you do want to stay employed there, then see if you can talk to the manager alone about how you can perhaps transfer teams or departments. Don’t let one joker above you be your gatekeeper. If the manager isn’t willing to talk with you directly, then I think that gives you a lot of information about the company and the culture.
I hope any of that is helpful. Don’t let the corporate world get you down. Businesses exist to make money as priority number 1, they’re not there to be your friend. You choose to be employed to achieve your own objectives in life. And you as a person are a whole hell of a lot more than just a worker bee.
Also, another piece of advice:
So I sent my boss and his boss an email
Do not ever EVER go over your direct manager’s head. They hate it and they’ll hate you for it. If you feel you absolutely must email above them in the hierarchy, at the very least copy your manager on it. Or better, email your manager first and inform them that you feel you need to email their hierarchy if your issue isn’t resolved.
I realize this and was prepared for the fallout, but I’ve tried with only my direct superior for over a year while being mostly ignored, so I didn’t really see another possibility.
Then print out the emails proving your manager failed you and you felt you had to go over their head and file them for potential evidence later.
Right, you’re reckoning with the ultimate truth of the capitalist workforce: keep your head down and don’t stir shit, else you’ll find yourself out of a job. Unless you provide an absolutely critical, niche function (luckily, that is the case for me). Remember, the people above you only give a fuck about having a relatively peaceful day and their compensation. You fuck with their peace, they will shitcan you. This is inherent to the system. Those managers who did better in their heyday are old and tired, having been ground to dust. They no longer care about people. Your recourse here is simple: you are but a whore (nearly all of us are), so sell your time to the highest bidder. Find a new customer.
