How Would You Navigate This Work Situation?

[jmattbassplaya]

Hi TB,

About three months ago, I started a new job as an operations manager for a company. It has been a big step up from my previous job in a number of ways: I now work normal hours, the job is around thirty to forty minutes closer to home, I was promoted into a manager role (I was formally a supervisor), and I make more money than I previously did.

Overall, the job has been an improvement, but I still find myself lacking interest in my field. I had doubts that this was what I wanted my career path to be at my previous job, but many friends and family members insisted that I at least try another job in my field before moving on to something else. I've tried that, and I now know that I need to find a new career. However, I was not expecting to do so as suddenly as I now feel I do.

About a month ago our VP of Finance left the job without warning. He was one of the co-founders of the company and, from what I knew and had heard from others, was a really good, honest, and straight-forward guy. It seemed bizarre that he left to me and everyone else at the company, but I didn't pry as to why he left as I was (and still am) quite new.

Two weeks ago the whole building got called into an impromptu all-building meeting. At this meeting, our relatively new CEO announced that our VP of Finance left to pursue other opportunities. He then announced that our VP of Sales (another co-founder) had his official last day with the company just the day before this meeting. This bewildered everyone. He then announced that our VP of Technology (yet another co-founder) would be working out another three months with the company before calling it quits.

The VP of Tech was at this meeting, and the look on his face wasn't one of gratitude or happiness. The CEO went on to say that the company was doing more than fine (which we are), and that it's a good thing when a company gets to a point where the original owners no longer have to work for the company as it means it can finally sustain itself. I didn't disagree with this notion in my head, but I also didn't completely buy it. My supervisor (the guy directly under me and who has been with the company for close to four years) didn't buy it either as we discussed later that day.

A few days after this all-building meeting, I had my weekly operations meeting with my boss, my supervisor, and the lead associate over the Customer Service department. In this meeting, my boss, the VP of Operations, assured us that the company was fine and that there was nothing to worry about. He assured my supervisor and the CS rep that their jobs were safe, but, as he was doing this, I noticed that he never made eye contact with me or even looked towards me as he was saying this. This made me concerned.

I knew something was amiss, but I didn't want to talk directly to my boss about my concerns just yet. My supervisor and I talked some on the floor, and he said he felt like something was way off because there was no way all the co-founders would have left like that, and he told me that during what communications he had with them since the all-building meeting he knew something wasn't right. The VP of Tech ended up leaving not even a week after the all-building meeting.

For whatever reason, I decided to check out the company webpage last week, and I ended up checking out the "We're Hiring" page. Sure enough, I saw my boss's position (the VP of Ops, who isn't a co-founder but has been friends with all the co-founders since college) listed. I was stunned, but I also almost knew to expect it. The next day I told my supervisor to check it out, and he had the same feelings that I had. My supervisor said he'd talk to him as they had worked together for almost four years, and my supervisor felt like he'd open up to him more. Well, that discussion happened today.

From what he could gather, the co-founders have essentially been forced out after losing their majority share. This caused them to, understandably, get upset, which incited them to leave as abruptly as they did. The CEO is now cleaning house and is replacing the senior members with his own people. My boss supposedly isn't being forced out, but he made it known to my supervisor that he's going to be pursuing opportunities and plans to be out by mid-November.

Although I'm not senior management, I am beginning to really question my job security at this company. I've been very successful in my field and I have experience leading much larger and more complex operations, but I'm still fairly young and relatively inexperienced in the grand scheme of things. Even though my job isn't posted, I can't help but feel like it's only a matter of time before they start working their way down to the mid-management level.

So my question to you all is - what would you do in this situation?

Thank you.

 

[Grumry]

Stay there while actively looking for a new/better/more secure gig.

 

[blastoff99]

Stay there while actively looking for a new/better/more secure gig.

This, but it's also possible (not likely, I'll grant) that your job is relatively safe. Whether you want it or not is another matter, especially given the 'lacking interest' part that you came in with. Companies can have huge changes at the top, but they still need people to do the work and managers like you to make sure the work gets done in an efficient, safe, and profitable manner. Getting rid of a whole bunch of people at once on the operations side is not generally smart. They almost have to keep certain people just for continuity of getting work done. You may have plenty of time to see what else is available. It's also possible (again, not likely) that the new management will appreciate your good work and keep you and keep you happy.

Don't burn bridges yet. You never know.

 

[Selta]

I'd stay for a bit to see how things shake out. But, not too long, especially if you're already gearing up for a career change.

In my early IT career, I was in a similar boat. In my cases, buyouts (I was on both sides - the company being bought, and the company doing the buying). I've also worked at places shortly after a buyout.

The first couple of times, I bought into the FUD that goes around in those situations. In each and every case, except one, things panned out pretty much how executive leadership wanted it to, and near the messages they delivered along the way. The one that didn't work out ended up mostly collapsing (the company was sold a 2nd time), but the job I had would've still been mostly safe.

I've since also figured out that engaging those leaders for their thoughts is rarely a bad thing. Sit down with your boss. Then sit down with his/her boss. Then skip another level.

In any case, keep your eyes and ears open to opportunities. Try to network with the VPs who left - see where they all end up.

 

[two fingers]

I would stick it out. The new guy is getting rid of the old guard. Maybe with good reason. But there's no logical reason to get rid of a new guy who isn't well versed in the old guard's way of doing things.

I know someonewho had to do this. She joined an existing firm as a partner. The original owner had let the employees make their own schedules, go to lunch whenever, make the dress code, and basically all but ruin the company. They had been with the original owner for ten years.....since day one. The new partner had a meeting with them and told things things would "tighten up" with regard to scheduling and rules. Things had simply gotten out of hand. They resented it, of course. It was not until the last of them was sent packing that moral improved. The rules weren't harsh. They were simply normal for a business environment.

Anyway, unless you have professed some kind of loyalty to the old guard you'll be fine. The founders who left are probably getting paid still anyway. They just have no control.

 

[MJ5150]

Since you're unsure of your future in this field, discreetly crank up your professional network. Let people like your peers and former co-workers know you're still around and doing good things. Get your name on peoples minds who can help you if need be.
In the meantime, be supportive of the changes the new CEO implements and avoid gossip around the water cooler.
If you have legitimate concerns, voice them privately to upper management as previously suggested. Loose cannons are low hanging fruit in transitions like this one.
Best wishes bro. By my recollection of our time together in TBOT, you're a good guy.

-Mike

 

[48thStreetCustom]

I agree with all above. Start sending out resumes but don't tell anyone.

If the founders left quickly, they did it as a big FU and are hoping the company sinks without them. I doubt they left things nice and easy for their replacements. And honestly, the entire situation would scare off any good jobs candidates. Why would someone step into that situation if they had other options?

So make like a rat and get off the sinking ship.

 

[RattleSnack]

I doubt you will be on a shooting list. Replacing high-managers is seldom done with replacing mid-management, it sends too much waves troughout company.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Thank you for your responses, everyone.

My family echoed the thoughts that I should be fine considering my level, my position, and my short tenure with the company. I was brought on to help mature the operations and our team, so I should fit in the new guards mold fairly well. However, when things like this begin to happen and happen as quick as they are you sometimes can't help but get concerned

I was originally planning on sticking with the company for a couple years. I might continue with this plan as I now need to figure out what I want to do next. Perhaps I'll consider grade school to gain some new skills and re-position myself for a new career path without having to completely start over.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

It is not uncommon for a new CEO to bring in his own management team when he takes over. There are multiple reasons for that. One is that he wants people he knows, that understand his vision and will help him get there.
The other is a bit more political. When a new boss comes in, there are always those who were loyal to the old boss and will try to sabotage the new boss. A new boss will get rid of the old team to avoid this.
It seldom gets down to your level, but were I you, I would polish my resume and key an eye on the wind.

 

[Gaolee]

You are new there, so you are the new guard. Remember that. You aren't the people being swept out. I don't know if you want it or not, but it sounds like there could be a vacuum above you, and you may have the opportunity to move up fairly quickly if you do well at your job. Then again, it's going to be a question of whether you want it or not, too. It's a pretty good time to be looking for work, or so it seems. I'm not sure what will happen in a couple years, but I don't expect the economy to abruptly hit a wall for a while. If you are concerned, there's no harm in letting people know you exist, even if you don't specifically say you are looking for work. It sounds like you may be getting to a place where recruiters will actively seek you out fairly soon, too.

 

[JohnMCA72]

I'd expect the new VP Ops to bring in at least some of "his people". I'd also expect one of them to be taking your job soon. He probably already has somebody lined up & ready.

Expect & prepare for the worst. If it doesn't happen, you're not out much & will have gained at least an updated resume & some more outside contacts.

 

[Funky Ghost]

Gaolee echoed my thoughts perfectly. Nicely done sir

I am in the midst of a similar ( though not to nearly the scale of you ) right now. A changing of the guard as new rules with the way we can operate as a company start to be implement continuing on until full implementation by 1st quarter of '17. So far the VP and several others have jumped ship before those restriction have hit fully.

If you are thinking of a career more, perhaps explore what that might be, figure if you need any school to properly enter the position and if not get night school to shore up those needs. I'm in that boat right now. I've been enjoying the school experience again. There is certain satisfaction with moving forward, or at least preparing to, I've found.

 

[Biggbass]

Sounds like you are on a sinking ship. I would start hunting now.

 

[Pilgrim]

To the OP: get resumes out on the street. Now. You may or may not have a problem there, but it pays to be looking, especially since you're not married to that job anyway.

If you can get an offer and the situation at work has turned good, you can always say "no thanks."

Gaolee is right that there may be room for advancement, but in order for that to be a plus, the positions that might open up must be things that you want to do.

The longer I'm in the workplace, the more I realize that every job comes with pluses and with headaches. You have to choose the set of headaches you want to live with before you say yes to a new position. I have turned down a number of nibbles in the past couple of years because they involve headaches I'm not interested in dealing with.

 

[Gaolee]

With the economy what it is, I have turned down a whole lot of nibbles and a few hard bites over the last couple years. The field I'm in is cyclical, so when it's going good, I'm worth a lot. When it goes down, I'm absolutely worthless. The job I currently do isn't nearly as cyclical, so I'm not at all tempted to go back to the cyclical side of things, even for a whole lot more money. That may or may not apply, but it is also something to think about.

 

[slobake]

Overall, the job has been an improvement, but I still find myself lacking interest in my field. I had doubts that this was what I wanted my career path to be at my previous job, but many friends and family members insisted that I at least try another job in my field before moving on to something else. I've tried that, and I now know that I need to find a new career. However, I was not expecting to do so as suddenly as I now feel I do.

The part about finding a new career jumped out at me. Sometimes as we get older it becomes more difficult to change careers. There are various reasons for that. You may have and family that depends on you or a mortgage to pay.
I decided to change careers in my 50's. I went back to college and studied journalism. I applied for a few internships and sent examples of my portfolio. People liked my writing but as soon as they met me they lost interest. My guess is they thought they couldn't work a 56 year-old intern to exhaustion and pay him little or no money.
No worries, I have moved on and the experience of going back to college was great. It learned a lot about writing although you might not think that reading my posts here.
If you want to change careers I might be easier to do when you are young. Of course just like picking out a new bass the decision is yours alone.

 

[INTP]

It's hard to say exactly what is going on in this situation, but my guess is that the style and direction are about to change considerably. I'd look for more work, more pressure to perform, and more emphasis on the bottom line. I could be wrong, but it might soon be a lot less fun to work there. It's no fun to be a manager under those circumstances, either.

My guess for a manager in this situation is they will expect you to be a good soldier and implement their new, stricter policies. If you're willing to do this and help them make more money, then your job is probably safe. If not, then look to be replaced.

But that's mostly speculation on my part.

 

[fdeck]

A couple questions: When was the company bought? Sometimes a merger of a start-up includes an "earn out" provision, where the founders have to stick with the company for a time (typically a year) and prove that it can make its projected earnings before they actually get paid. The departure of the founders may simply coincide with that time period.

Where is the parent company located? Is there a risk that they will consolidate operations to another location?

Is the company public? If so, then in practical terms they can't tell you anything significant that they haven't disclosed to the public.

You're probably far enough below the higher-ups that you're as safe as anybody else, and don't forget that any other employer will also have risks that you don't know about.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

A couple questions: When was the company bought? Sometimes a merger of a start-up includes an "earn out" provision, where the founders have to stick with the company for a time (typically a year) and prove that it can make its projected earnings before they actually get paid. The departure of the founders may simply coincide with that time period.

Where is the parent company located? Is there a risk that they will consolidate operations to another location?

Is the company public? If so, then in practical terms they can't tell you anything significant that they haven't disclosed to the public.

You're probably far enough below the higher-ups that you're as safe as anybody else, and don't forget that any other employer will also have risks that you don't know about.

The company is still private, but there is a parent, holdings group for it that is located somewhere up north. My understanding is that it is for liability and tax purposes, and this entity has been around since the birth of the company.

There is no other location, and there isn't any risk of moving unless the operational side of the business demands it, which actually might as soon as six months from now. However, this again will be dictated by operational need. It is also unlikely that we would move from our current city for a number of logistical reasons.