Sorry if I haven't been my usual fun self in the past day or so but I got some difficult news yesterday at work and for some reason I don't deal very well with things like this.Some background, I have a great job that I like and I do well at. I am an outside vendor servicing a major insurance company. I'm sort of a local go between for two companies that have a quarter of a billion dollar yearly account. I enjoy what I do and think that I do it very well. My operation has been used as a model for others across the country. In fact my job was one of the few spared during the restructuring of our department during the recession. My point is this, I have a vested interest in making sure that my job stays the same and right where it is.
Yesterday I found out that my manager since 2004 took a different job in the company. I know that he had been looking at doing something but I was shocked that this seems to have been a demotion not a promotion. This creates the worry. I hate when this happens because I have this terrible internal worry mechanism that I can't seem to turn off that makes me run over all the worst case scenarios when something like this happens. I hate it and intellectually I know it's irrational but I still worry. Why would my manager take a demotion to move elsewhere? Why wouldn't he tell me? Is our department being disbanded? What will happen to me and my customers? What will happen to all I have built here? Why this? Why now? Why me? I can't control any of this but yet I worry.
I hate it but I just can't seem to stop it. Arrrrghhhh!
-Doc
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15 comments:
Worrying is awful. I worry about pretty much anything and everything myself, though I try not to. You're probably just overthinking things and it's possible that the new position is just something this person would rather be doing. Can you ask and find out what's up?
Look him in the eye.....and ask.
(easy for me to say huh?)
I am one hell of a worrier. I often view it as one of my hobbies.
You really only have two choices though. You can talk to him, which probably wouldn't be as difficult as you think. Or you can wait and see, which would be tough.
Try having your boss (AKA the owner of the company) come in your office and say I hope we get enough money to cover payroll this week.
Is he taking this job because it is in a different location? Maybe there are more opportunities for his family. Is this a different department but in the city? Maybe he needed less stress? Maybe he reached the top of his current area and the only way to continue to move up is to take a "demotion" for a short period of time inturn to get promoted even higher.
Best thing to do is ask him. Tell him you find this interesting and you are wondering why, because you will miss him as your manager.
I worry too, but worry is often intuition talking when it comes to work. I have been through several different jobs because of restructuring and reorganization. It sucks but there is always a new opportunity around the corner.
But you will likely be fine and laugh about this worry in a few weeks.
As a boss, I am amazed how people panic with all major changes. You really do need to ask. I have had conversations with people that are convinced that the company is doing a major layoff and is headed for bankruptcy simply by letting go of one crappy employee.
Your head will torture you until you find out. Go ask and get back to us :-)
Where do I send my resume to fill this now open manager position? ;-)
Hang in there buddy.
Work worries are the worst. Even though I'm a stay at home mom, I worry about the Evil Twin's job (one income family). If you're close to your manager as a friend, just ask!
Wow. That is a pretty heavy post for you. I know how things are at your company and can only imagine your stress. Know it will work out for the best. It is so hard not to worry over things that are out of our control and yet, really can affect us, but try to know you cannot control this.
Hang in there!
I think most people would worry in that situation, especially with the economy and job market as they've been lately. But I have to wonder why you wouldn't have had some idea of something going on, if that is what's happening. Maybe he took this job for personal reasons and it has nothing to do with restructuring.
Try not to worry too much. Because the thing is, IF there is something going on, all the worry in the world isn't going to do a thing to change it. Do what you can. Ask the questions you can and I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything turns out okay for you.
I run thru worst case scenarios all the time
much as I try not to, I do
maybe he wanted this change
I'd ask if that's possible
the actual is almost always better than the worry
hang in there
I have faith in you :)
I hope it all works out for you. Maybe there was a reason for the change. I know my good friend (also in the insurance biz) was sick of traveling all the time and wanted to be home with his family. He asked for the demotion and is super happy now. Less money and perks, but he gets his family.
I'm a big fan of the worst-case scenario. When something like this comes up for me, I look at it from every disastrous angle and cook up my plan of attack. I like to be prepared:)
But I like being pleasantly surprised even more...so when all I worried about never comes to pass, it's awesome:)
Keeping my fingers crossed that your job is secure and you're worrying needlessly!
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