Worker Caught In Trickle-Down
Q: I have worked for a major national communications company for one year. In that time, I’ve had three different managers and four different job descriptions, some which were completely different from what I was hired to do and had never been shown to me.
Only one month after my third manager began working, the new senior manager (her boss) called me into his office to tell me that she said I seemed aloof. He told me to have lunch with her and that she whanted to be a friend.
I was not aware there was even a problem between the two of us. He also asked me if I would be interested in doing a different job. I said no. One month later, I was given the job anyway. I have had no formal training here and I often have no clue as to what I am doing.
Recently, I’ve been off work due to stress (headaches, backaches, nausea, acne and carpal tunel). My managaer said she knows I’m not happy and is trying to get me transferred to another department. I fell like I’m being sabotaged. What can I do?
A: It’s easy to see why you feel like you’re being set up to fail, but the likelihood is that while upper management is undergoing continual change, you are experiencing the trickle-down effect.
Your current manager’s style is lacking since she was not able to talk to you directly, which is clearly a managerial requirement. And the senior manager’s advice sounds even stranger, since initiating a friendship is partly up to your manager. Theses two poor management styles may be indicative of the flaws of upper management.
Once you pull yourself together mentally, emotionally and physically (seek counseling as well as medical advice) and you return to work, decide whether you can work in an environment where continual change seems to be the rule, not the exception. A small company may offer you a more stable setting.
Secretive employee less likely to get empathy
Q: I am scheduled to have surgery in three months, which will require about seven weeks off. Our office has only 10 people, so I have acommodated them by delaying my surgery. I do not want to divulge the nature of the surgery and would like to know of any guidelines for confidentiality and medical leave.
A: The Family Medical Leave Act covers employers with 50 or more employees, so you only have your employer’s policy and boss’ understanding to rely on. Because your surgery sounds optional, it would be in your best interest to discuss it openly with your boss, even if just to say that it’s something you have always wanted to do, but don’t feel comfortable explaining the particulars. You want your employer on your side, and it’s difficult for people to empathize with someone who is guarded.
No raise in 10 years, but worker’s pay is still too high
Q: I’m a union employee working for a major company. When our company merged with another company and my department was eliminated, I was forced into a different department. I was told that my salary was far more than the other employees in that department and I wouldn’t be given a raise until they caught up with me. I’m glad to have a job, but it has been 10 years now without a raise. My union has not assisted me in any way. Can I recoup lost wages?
A: You are bound by your union contract. If the company is not violating any part of that contract, your only option is to find a higher paying job and leave the company. It may be hard not to have a raise in 10 years, but if your co-workers are still making less than you, think how it’s been for them.