When we had our all-hands meeting explaining the purchase of our division by a new company, one of our leaders apparently misspoke and said that the new company was very interested in all of the people in our division and we would all have jobs at the new company. A week or so later we got an email from the former company's head of HR wherein he made the statement that some people may not be offered positions with the new company. This immediately took the feeling of lightness and relief that had finally permeated the offices after weeks of not knowing what was going on and turned it on its ear.
Yesterday we had an all-hands with the leads of the new company. They gave a presentation, an overview of the company, and answered a lot of our HR questions. One person asked the inevitable question: "Will we all be offered positions?" The same lead of our division stood and said frankly that, while most would, some would not. They were working on a final roster during this week and everyone should know before the next meeting on Tuesday when people are offered jobs with the new company and must provide proof of job eligibility and fill out the new paperwork for W-2s, etc.
So, of course, today the mood is absolutely bleak at work. No one is talking, the cloud is back, and people are ducking around. People are talking more about the what-ifs and what-fors than work-related issues. People are, frankly, scared.
My boss and I have a slightly different perspective. We don't wrap ourselves up in our job as much as most people; we define ourselves by internal drives and external motivations that are not job-related. She has a huge bank of vacation time that the company would have to pay her if they let her go, the equivalent of a number of months worth of pay, plus has the severance package to look forward. I am not as set financially, but my plans are all about moving to Canada and a decision on that should be made soon, so being fired may give me the opportunity to head that way even sooner. We both like our jobs, and like the people we work with, but because it does not define us, we can look past the current issues and see positives from both remaining and being let go.
This week is going to be a real winner now. People are walking on egg shells and worrying over everything. Until the emails, phone calls, or HR visits start, people will not get much done. All the positives from the previous meeting have been undone for the vast majority of workers as they are all now afraid for their jobs. There is at least one person at work who is not sleeping hardly at all.
There has to be a better way to do these things.
Imagine, if you will, that everyone is assured that initially they will continue with the company, with decisions to be made about positions coming within the next 3 months based on employment history, seniority, viability with the new company/concept, etc. That would at least provide everyone a smooth transition and push those who aren't working to capacity to step it up--or move on of their own accord.
ReplyDeleteThere is no need for a power position in this situation as all the powers that be do is create disharmony, discontent, and disloyalty--none of which is going to benefit the take-over or the transition.
You never know if it's going to be better or worse, but it can always be done differently!
John, I'm sorry to hear about your tenuous situation. You know I was just there with my prior employer, though at least they were up front about everything the moment the news was delivered. The uncertainty about it all is the most unsettling thing to deal with, and I sympathize with you and your co-workers. It's good that you have other options and your priorities are not tied to your job. May all go well during this difficult period at your employer. - Daralee
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