Let me give you some background on how I just took it up the poop chute. I was a project manager (but not a group manager or anything) at a company. The company moved about an hour away and I really didn't want to do the drive. I found a closer job opening for a manager job (of an entire group) and applied. I interviewed and got the job, but they said they wouldn't make me manager (because I hadn't been one) right away. They wanted to see me fit in with the staff first. I agreed to take the job because I knew I would fit in well.

3 months have passed, so I requested a meeting to make sure I was still on track and doing what they expect so there won't be any surprises in a few months. In the mean time one of my co-workers has been trying to convince the company to make her the manager. She's been here a few years so she has more experience here, but I have a more diverse background (we have the same degree). In fact I am training her on some software now. So, she requested a bunch of meetings and I found out today that she weaseled her way in as the manager.

She is qualified, so I don't have a problem with that. I also don't blame her for her efforts (I would do the same). But, I don't understand why my employer even had the manager opening in the first place. Obviously they didn't plan on giving it to her or they would not have had that opening. And if they considered it an open competition when they hired me, I feel they should have said so. My impression was that it was my job to loose. And considering they made this choice 3 months in, I never had the chance to loose it. They told me they are very happy with how I've done but she has more experience here.

I think it's unfair because that was not presented to me when I chose to leave my last company. The problem now is that I don't know what to do. I really like the company, I'm just pissed about her leading the group now. Another thing that pisses me off is that she gossips all day and I don't trust her. I don't feel I could go to her with any problem because she's a weasel. My other co-worker (that she'll be supervising) agrees too.

My thoughts are that I should let the next 3 months play out and revisit the topic at my evaluation. Perhaps in that time they'll feel I have enough experience and/or she isn't getting the job done as well as I could. Or maybe she'll take her new role too far and piss them off. i don't know. All I know is I can't go back to my old job right now (fucking winter coming and that long ass drive).

Any thoughts? (helpful ones I should specify)

Chris, I'd say you have your answer there in the last paragraph. You're going to have to squash your anger down in your belly until your next evaluation. Until then continue the good work you're doing and wait for it to pan out.

It sounds to me like you lose nothing giving yourself some time to see how everything plays out while you're calmly assessing what your options really are.

Yeah, I think that is right. Suppose I get to my 6 months and nothing changes. What do I say to them then?

Why did you say I had 6 months to earn the job and not give me 6 months?

They said I could still become a manager, but not of that group. Basically, we have two parts of this group...GIS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIS) and CAD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_design) (if you don't know what they are, click the links). The position I applied for was GIS/CAD manager. They said I could still become CAD manager (and hire people below me), but I went to school for GIS, not CAD (I learned that on the side). How would I do GIS work as the CAD manager when she's the GIS manager? We manage each other? BTW, she has no CAD experience at all.

This whole thing is all fucked up right now.

I obviously don't know your particular situation nor what they had in mind, but it could be possible that they were more or less genuine in hiring you for manager. However, the name of the game in the corporate world is to do what it takes to keep your options open (the best way to succeed and/or cover your ass). They hired you but gave themselves outs in case they wanted to put someone else into that position.

Again, I can't pretend to know your situation, but once you know that it's the nature of the game and that for some reason the other person was hired because it was in someone's best interest (and of course that can genuinely include the best interest of the company), you are left with leaving speculation behind, reassessing and seeing what options are open that are best for you.

Where's Taymelo, counsel to the stars, when you need him most?

Sorry to hear that you got boned, Chris.

I don't have anything to add other than suggest that you choke a bitch.

Helpful thoughts only?

*crickets*

Well, we got some surreal news today. They had to lay off 3 people because their work loads were very light. The company said that people who are crossed trained and can jump from project to project are the key. Since I have the multiple skill sets I'm in good shape. Hopefully that will be a feather in my cap going forward.

Also good in this big personnel meeting was they did not announce this promotion for my co-worker (even though they said they would when I found out). So, I suspect this is simply a new role for her and not a full blown promotion...otherwise I would have thought an announcement would have been made.

Sorry, I don't choke bitches. Maybe I'll buy a Flip Murray poster and put it on my dart board.

It's bad form to announce promotions on the same day as layoffs.

Given the economy, unless you feel options that are good for you, then you probably don't have 'em. It sucks that you have bait & switch wishy-washy indecisive management, but it'd suck worse to not have a job.

I've rejected the three "bait and switch" job offers I can recall receiving. But, they've all been about location, location, location: "We don't want you here, but the job is yours if you work at one of our faraway locations." It was easy to say "fuck that noise" with some level of conviction. One of those times, I have minor regrets. I might've made out like a bandit if I moved, but it might have totally sucked, too.

I have gotten burned by "bait and switch" moves within a company, where I'm told "it's ok to move from my current position to some new one", then I find out my direct management is sandbagging me because I'm a valuable asset and they can't easily replace me I bailed out of those two situations, and it worked out for the best (though it sucked at the time). I like doing a lot of different things, but there's only so many different things that make sense to do in one job. I liked the jobs I was in, but I didn't like the prospects.

Well, most of the meeting was in fact positive. They did say this was our most profitable year ever. It was actually the firing announcements that seemed the weird part. I think they are using the uncertain economy as a good reason to trim some fat basically.

At any rate, I definitely thought they'd announce the promotion (if that is what it really is) given the tone of the meeting. After thinking about it more, they told me we were still reporting to the same manager as before. I really think this is just a temporary role defining moment and I still have a chance.

unfortunately unless you have something in writing, you can't really complain. i mean, you CAN. but that's why i've never trusted verbal promises or any BS talk in meetings until i see something in writing.

i feel your pain though. keep in mind every work environment will present obstacles and negative things.

my advice as someone who has been in management for a number of years: bust your butt and be the model employee even in the midst of it all. bitch and complain all you want when you're at home. i wouldn't trust ANY other co-workers when it comes to griping because that can lead you down a slippery slope, trust me. sometimes people who you trust and get along great with can use that against you some day. might not see it that way NOW but it could turn around later. you never want anyone to have any ammo against you, know what i mean?

even in your evaluation, i would be very careful how i bring up the topic. i'm sure you're a professional and abright enough guy, but sometimes people let emotions and personal feelings come out in situations when they should strictly remain professional. be positive and 'happy' in the meeting but let them know how badly you want what you want. you need to present yourself as 'the man' for the job and any negativity or sense of 'hurt feelings' on your part could reflect poorly on you.

people respond to people they like. it's corny and an old cliche.....but true. if you're able to finesse the situation you can use it to your advantage and gain their favor.

things won't always work in your favor but you have a much better chance of them doing so if you project positivity and refuse to allow a bad situation to get the better of you. like i said, moan and bitch all you want OUTSIDE of work. but also realise that life is not fair and the workplace isn't either.

i've had some CRAZY shit happen to me over the years- from people making up things about me to try and further their career, to a top level manager (when i was asst. GM) doing all kinds of crazy things to try and destroy my career. basically i refused to partake in some shady deals he made and i was labelled the 'troublemaker' because i did not go along with it. i didn't rat him out or anything, i simply refused to take part in some things and did things MY way. and he had a guilty conscience and always feared the dirt that i had on him.

so he went out of his way to try and destroy me. it was over 2 years of hell. but i refused to budge and leave the job because i loved all other aspects of the job and my staff. i ended up learning so much from it and gained a TON of respect from the B.O.D. and others in my industry for the way i handled all the trials and tribulations i went through.

OK i'm rambling on aimlessly. but just remember 'the godfather': it's never personal- it's strictly business. be a professional through whatever is thrown at you and you'll be better for it in the end. corny but true, trust me.

but at the same time you can't be a pushover and you should, tactfully, raise concerns about certain situations in your evaluation meetings. that shows leadership and that you care about the company.

I Googled "WTFChris", and got this as the first entry:

http://www.ratemybody.com/mainPics/w/wt/WTFchris.jpg


From the looks of things (champagne, happy co-worker), looks like you smoked that bitch. Nice action.

It's bad form to announce promotions on the same day as layoffs.



Yeah, hey Mxy Whats happening? I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with you on that.

Work issues are a bitch, no matter what.

Yeah, hey Mxy Whats happening? I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with you on that.
Yeah, I got the memo.