Need advice, please

[Anna Low]

Hi all,

I work in a very small group of people. We all had job-specific duties, but we also all knew what was going on and in a pinch, each of us could support the other positions. We have 2 secretarial positions that support our group. Due to recent changes, all of our roles and responsibilities have changed - some more dramatically than others. My own job function changed a little, but not a great deal. One secretary reports to me and the other to our manager. Our whole group ultimately answers to the head of the company.

Today, my manager called me in for our weekly meeting. We chatted for quite a while and then she told me that she was feeling very overwhelmed and felt she had so much to keep up with. In order to cut down on her workload, she wanted to know how I felt about me reporting to one of my co-workers and my secretary (now both secretaries) reporting to my boss.

In other words, I would now be the only person in our group reporting to a coworker. Said it had nothing to do with me---but that she wanted to pursue this as a management opportunity for my coworker. I believe it has nothing to do with my work, as all of my performance reviews have been glowing. But, my coworker at one point had an an entire staff---in other words, managing people would be nothing new. But what about MY development?

I am very hurt, very confused and seriously upset about this. I feel like this is a demotion. Am I right to be upset or should I just suck it up and continue on? Pay, duties and title are unaffected.

[nettreefrog]

I can completely understand your feeling demoralized by this situation. If I were you in your shoes, I would feel very much the same. Based on what you have said, I would push to find out more about the situation. However, a lot depends on the details... how long have you been at this job? How much experience, in general, do you have in this field? Has your boss done similar things in the past? Are there other extenuating circumstances? Do you sense "writing on the wall" for other reasons? Are you thinking about leaving the company? ...

There may be more questions that answers--but I don't want to give you bad advice...just advise you to look at all the other information before making any decision.

[AusMarchBride]

I understand your concerns and I think I'd feel the same way.

It seems weird to me that she wants your secretary (who you presumably are superior to and give instructions to), reporting to your boss and you reporting to a co-worker. That seems like your secretary would then sort of outrank you. It would make more sense (and in your shoes I would be more "ok" with it) if she had you and the 2 secretaries reporting to your co-worker.

I understand they wish to use this as a management opportunity for your co-worker. Is this something that you would wish to take on, or are you not interested in the management side of things? Maybe you could suggest that it could be a management opportunity for you instead.

I'm sorry that this is upsetting you and I think you really need to tell your manager that you're not comfortable with it, that it feels like a demotion etc. Your manager may still go ahead with this new arrangement but at least you'll have put your feelings/objections on record.

Good luck and I hope that a resolution can be found that you're happy with.

[Anna Low]

Thanks for the responses. Demoralized really does sum up how I feel.

I very nicely said that while I would totally support whatever happened, I would also feel very strange about it. And that I felt I was being demoted for no reason. She appeared to be stunned that I didn't find this to be the best idea ever. Said she would now have to think about this. But, knowing her, the decision has already been made and paperwork is in process. My suggestion would be to have both secretaries report to my co-worker. I'm not all that thrilled about one of the secretaries reporting to me, but my specific duties kind of require it.

As far as time in the department, I have been there for a little over a year, as has one other coworker. One secretary has been there quite a while and the other is brand new. My possible new boss has been around about 6 months. I have been with the company far longer than anyone else in the group and have worked in other areas. The group tends to have a lot of turnover---previous have all been promoted or just left. I didn't have any intentions of leaving the department this soon or the company, but now I'm not so sure.

If I knew of something specific I did (or didn't do), it would be a little easier to understand. I actually have more responsibility than ever before.

Thanks again for listening/reading. I am just sad and it is comforting to chat about it.

[KarenS]

I think I would feel differently about it if my co-worker was being promoted rather than just having a change of reporting. To me the change of reporting, as you and everyone else has said, sounds like you're being demoted.

I think you handled it well, but it does sound like it's a done deal regardles sof how you feel. Bleah. I'm so sorry. It must be very frustrating.

Karen