So the group of people I work with is moving to another floor...someone is taking my office

[Honeycombe8]

I was informed on Friday that the group of people I work with is moving to an identical space on another floor. I was told that for those with my job title, the bosses aren't getting involved & letting us work out who sits where. But not really. When the HR person told me that, she'd already talked to the other two, and they had picked their spaces. In the office where I am now, she told me that another person who works with another group (but also works a bit for one person on our group) is going to be taking the office in the place that I now have. But she smiles & says I have all these other choices! She points to the floor plan to a series of the smaller offices, or if I want to stick with a larger office, there are some on other floors.

I am not having any problems with the group (we all get along great), I've been with them for 7 or 8 years, I have a good reputation and am a respected worker in my job title group. This is political and was manipuated by the person who is taking what should be my office.

I was crushed, heartbroken, and felt betrayed. How could the guys I've worked so hard for for years either treat me this way, or not care enough that they let it happen? I told HR I'd take an office on another floor because I couldn't take the smaller office...not that I have a problem with that office, per se. But it wouldn't be so much an office to me as a slap in the face. I said that even though this is a new space, that is my office, and I know what it means when a worker is pushed out of an office and someone else is put in. I was pretty upset.

She said she wasn't sure how the decision was made (yeah, right), that she'd go back & tell the group, etc. I told her I don't want to make waves but that I thought I'd better resign. Ever since my boss died several years ago, it's been a difficult row to hoe on that group. Others have tried it, and come and gone. But I made it work. Then to get this...it's too much. A person has to draw the line somewhere and have some self respect. The HR lady said she wouldn't take my resignation, to think about it over the weekend.

I'm in my late 50's. I have paid off my house and built up my 401K. I can't afford to "retire," but I could get by with temporary work and such, so I have that option.

I could take the smaller office, and be humiliated at the company.

I could take the office on another floor....but out of sight is out of mind. I would probably get less and less work from that team, if I did that.

THEN the HR person says, "Really...we have some things that are going to be going on here, so I really want you to think about this." That could mean anything.

I've cried and cried and thought about it all weekend, talked to friends and family. I'm in the middle of a project...part of me wants to resign and leave tomorrow, which would leave my group in a pickle to do that project (it has a deadline). They'd get it done; it would just be difficult. Or I could give 2 weeks notice, which would mean I'm stuck working on that project for that group for 2 weeks. Or I could suck it up and stick it out at the company and see what happens (I've been doing that for several years, since my boss died).

My career seems over, no matter what I do. What the hell happened. I've never had anything but great evaluations, no problems with personnel, etc.

Any advice?

My best friend's advice: Take the hall office, suck it up, and just do your job for another year or two,until you save more money.

My brother: Screw 'em. Alternatively, go in for a week or two, and if you can't handle the emotional turmoil, give your notice.

My sister: Take the hall office, put a smile on your face, and pretend you are totally okay with it.

I am concerned it will only get worse with the group, if they'd treat me this way. Maybe I'll get upset & say things I regret, if I stay. I'm so hurt and feel so betrayed. They like me, I like them. I thought. What the hell happened.

[kaitcat]

1. Do you have any allies/sources/spies?

What's the real skinny at the water-cooler? Who instigated this, who's behind it from the higher levels? Do you have a mentor or someone who's looked after you/sponsored you in upper management who you could ask?

Aside from that, it really sounds like you've taken this personally. That's a sure way to get your head handed to you in office politics. You can't count on people to do the right thing just because it's the right thing. You may be right that you've been treated horribly, but that never matters.

I vote with your sister and your best friend. Don't do anything out of hurt/anger where you're cutting off your own nose to spite your face.

Good luck.

[Honeycombe8]

4. I have no one to protect me. It was instigated by the woman who's taking my office.

The deal on her is....

Our group took on another V.P. from another group couple of years ago. She worked for that VP & was offered option to move to our group. She refused & said she'd quit, if they officially moved her to our group. BUT she moved to our floor, continued to work for the OTHER group, and got bits & pieces of our new VP's work, and has tried to steal projects from me. In other words, she doesn't want to have to work hard (which is how our group operates...like late nights, etc.). But she has arranged a deal where she continues to work for her old group, but can get filler work from our group, without having to be "assigned" to our group & stay late, if she doesn't want to.

She not been successful at stealing my projects. But now she has stolen my office. I suspect she whispered in her VP's ear, who said "okay," and SHE passed that along to the HR person, who believes her. She's not always truthful, so it's hard to know if her atty really backs her up on that.

I, OTOH, have made my job on this group work, when others have been unable to. I'm also highly skilled, well liked, and I have some unique skills. I've also had to work late hours and do unpleasant things, because I'm "assigned" to the group.

There is no reason someone NOT in our group should get my office, esp when she refused to be assigned to the group.

Yes, I'm taking it personally. It is personal. You can believe that if that VP found that he didn't have an office on the new floor with the rest of us...that the group had brought in a VP from another group to take his office...he sure as heck would care. And of course, that wouldn't happen.

This has happened because I have no VP to protect me. He passed away.

[kaitcat]

6. Ah. That explains a lot.

That's what you have to fix right away if you're going to survive her machinations. You know she won't stop with just your office if she wins this cleanly. The power imbalance is because she has someone's ear who has decision-making authority. Did your VP have any friends who might be willing to help you? More cynically, do you have any dirt on anybody that will make them take a meeting with you?

It may be personal, but if you react that way, however justifiably, you're playing into the creature's hands.

[Honeycombe8]

7. Thank you so much.

You have nailed it, I think. I couldn't quite figure out what was going on or how to handle it...but that's it. I felt instinctively that if I let it happen, then things would get bad for me. It wouldn't stop there.

I'll have to give this some thought. It is quite possible I have a card to play. Not dirt, but it is possible that if I request the office officially, make the reasonable case that it is, after, our group's space, of which I am a member, and that I will leave if I'm pushed out of it....it's possible that the request will get to someone in authority, at least, and I'll get to keep it. That's just a possibility. That possibility exists because of how long I've been there and my reputation, etc. It would be hard to replace me, but of course, everyone is replaceable. Her work is respected, too, and she has a VP. So it's not a sure thing.

But the HR person looked scared when I tried to quit on Friday.

It could backfire, but then I'd have to leave, which I'm thinking of doing anyway.

But you're right...being emotional is not the way to go (I'm of French ancestry, so that's kind of hard for me).

Of course, they could tell me I could keep the office, just to make sure I finish the project, and then reverse their decision afterwards.

Thanks for your input.

[kaitcat]

9. You're quite welcome.

It's always good to have a plan of action that's objective, rational, and lethal.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

26. In this economy, at your age

you have a job. Keep that job. If you feel like leaving, get another job first. Life sucks when you don't have a job. You HAVE a job. You can hang in there and maybe something will change. Or won't. But you'll still have a job right?

[Honeycombe8]

27. That's what the consensus seems to be. Today was my 1st day back. I managed to do my work & keep

a pleasant face on. I suppose I can do that for awhile.

[cyglet]

2. Oh office politics, how I do not miss thee

I'd stay and finish, but then I need to do that. If I'm given work, I have to finish it.

But I've never had an office, just cubicles/workspaces in a room with everyone else.

I've decided the work space I'm given isn't that important to me. Maybe it used to be, but the way companies treat you these days (you're just an expense or liability) it's just not a big issue. I work for a paycheck and some benefits/health insurance. Everything else is window dressing.

[Honeycombe8]

8. I told myself that. But it's a taking away of something...

It's personal. It means something. To fail to recognize that the company regards me that way would be failing to realize what else might be coming my way (not good things). It's not the office, per se. If they had a good reason for it, like if it had gone to another person on our team, I'd understand that. But if someone slaps me in the face, I notice. This is a slap in the face, to me.

You're right about the insurance, though. Wish we had Medicare for all.

It's not healthy for me to stay somewhere where I'm not treated well.

Decisions are always tough for me, esp when my emotions are involved.

[Evoman]

3. I'd take the smaller office, cozy it up, and put a mini bar in it.

If you are gonna leave anyways, stick around and have some fun.

Might sound like I'm taking your problem lightly, but I was REALLY bullied at my last job. I let it take over my whole life and shatter my self esteem.

Then I got colon cancer. Just had my operation and am now getting chemo.

I realized how fucking unimportant office bullshit is. Who really gives a shit. Hug your partner, kiss the kids, make money and live your fucking life. If it's that bad, leave. If its not, stick around and have some fun.

Life is too short. It's too fucking short. I'm only 32....and though I hate what I'm going through, I'm glad I learned this lesson early.

[Honeycombe8]

5. Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your cancer.

You know, that does really put things in perspective.

I don't think you're making light of the situation at all. I see what you're saying. That's what my sister said...make the little space your own, and be happy, or at least appear to be happy.

No, I'm not going to be there much longer, esp after this. Two years max, I hope.
.
Did you catch your colon cancer early? Have the drs been able to give your a prognosis or anything? I've known a couple of people with colon cancer. That's a bad one to get. Does it run in your family? Reason I ask is that you seem so young to get that kind of cancer; it's usually older people, isn't it?

You are right that life is too short for this mess. It really is. That actually makes me want to just quit the place, because I really don't think I can be happy there any longer. Working temp jobs isn't fun, and it doesn't pay well, but I would meet new people and might have a better chance of being happy going to work (when I can get it).

Thank you so much for your insight.

[Evoman]

11. Caught it late, unfortunately

Stage 3, spread to lymph nodes. I'm fighting, and so far things are looking ok. I got very aggressive chemo and rads, and had the Tumour removed last month. I have two more months of chemo, and then I'm done. Chances of it coming back are about 50 50.

You are right... I'm way to young for this, and although my family has a strong history of colon cancer, it's unusual to get it this early. Doctors think it may have been around for 4 or 5 years too...it was very big.

I actually was in a similar dilemma...sick of work, sick of my career. I decided to go back to school. A week before I started classes (pharmacy) I was diagnosed. Almost quit....then decided, fuck it. It's been tough....but it's life. Life changes, circumstances change, YOU change.....and sometimes, you get a smaller office. But as long as you've got life in you, you can Handle it.

Whatever choice you make, you have to trust you will be okay. And trust me on the mini bar...you'll be the coolest peron around.

[Honeycombe8]

19. LOL on the minibar. It would be cool. But my booze would get stolen, I'm sure.

I could put fake booze in the bottles.

If you read this thread again, would you mind saying how you discovered your cancer? Through a physical symptom, or had you had a colonoscopy? The reason I ask is...a friend and I have an ongoing "discussion" about the need for colonoscopies.

There seems to be more and more cases of colon cancer in recent years. I wonder why that is. And brain tumors. I wonder why that is.

[Dorian Gray]

36. Oh Evoman

My best to you. I truly hope that you kick cancer's ass.

[emilyg]

37. Colon cancer surgery past

November. I like your attitude. Decided pretty much what you just posted. Hug.

[quakerboy]

10. It is a monitary decision, pure and simple

Are you willing to do what they want of you for the amount of money they are offering?

I know that seems simplistic, but rented servants are essentially what we workers are anymore. During the time we are paid to be there, the time is not our own. We have sold that time to the boss, and it is his/hers. If the money is no longer enough to justify subjecting yourself to the things that happen in that time, then you either demand change or leave.

Just for curiosity, whats the downside of going to a different floor? Less work with a group you do not seem to feel comfortable in does not seem like a bad thing. Would that mean you had more freedom to join other groups, or that you would just be eased out when there was no longer enough work to justify keeping you in the company?

[Honeycombe8]

14. You caught on to something, Quakerboy.

When you ask what the downside is of going to a different floor, yes, getting less work from this team I'm now disenchanted with is the big thing....plus just being separate from the team. Closer to the exit door, so to speak.

But you're right, it would give me more of a chance to get work from others. Except business is bad at my company. The other groups have their own mid-level workerbees, so they wouldn't need me.

The HR person mentioned, when I said I'd go to one of the other offices on another floor, & that they'd give me less work that way, she mentioned that maybe those people by my new office would give me some.

I would end up going to an office on anothr floor every day, sitting there surrounded by people I don't work with, staring at a computer waiting for an email from my old group with some work to do. If it doesn't come, trying to do some software training, internet shopping, whatever. The days would become very long, as I wait fro work, or for the eventual layoff, because I would not be producing. Being laid off would be okay, except it would be a long, painful process,while the firm gives me a chance to get work (that may not come).

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. Stop and think...

Business is bad at your company...
If you move to another floor your production will decrease...
and you are nowhere close to retirement in an economy with severe employment problems.

Unless you have a source of independent wealth and health insurance,
or
can easily get another job,
quitting or giving them an excuse to be pushed out makes no sense whatsoever.

I'd take the smaller office on the original floor, smile and act happy as a clam, "fake it till you make it"
and plot revenge down the road, but I would NOT give the company enough rope to hang me.


FWIW...I had a similar situation where the head honcho seriously secrewed me over, and I immediately started re-writing my resume, kept my mouth shut and acted normal until I found a much better job within 6 months.
Then I waited until a staff meeting at my old job, stood up, announced I was quitting effective that day, and walked out.
But..that was when jobs in my field were more available.

[Major Nikon]

12. There is no faster way to get employees stirred up than to start fucking around with their space

I'm actually starting to think that it's easier to take away and employee's pay than their space.

If your management actually thought throwing this issue to the employees to sort out for themselves was a good idea, they will most likely learn the hard way.

[HeiressofBickworth]

13. Oh, dear, oh dear

I've seen stuff like this before. You said you're in your late 50's. I'd be watching for signs of age discrimination. The overlords may be thinking they are moving you closer to the door. I've seen cases where they make a person's work environment so difficult that it forces them to quit. And there's, of course, a monetary reason for doing so. If your state is like ours, unemployment insurance taxes are rated on an "experience rating"; i.e, the more people they lay off or fire, the higher the taxes. If, however, you quit -- no impact on their experience ratings. At your age (pre-medicare/social security), I'd take whatever shit they hand out and if they really want you gone, make them lay you off so you can collect unemployment insurance. I would consider this a warning that the employer may be up to something. In this day and age, there is no such thing as an employer loyal to their employees. If they figure they can replace you with someone younger who would accept less money, they'll figure a way to do just that. And, as they say, forewarned is forearmed.

In one job, they took away my office and gave it to another employee. They offered me a desk in an open bay with the secretaries or a storage closet without a window. I took the storage closet. Enough room for a desk, a book case and a visitor chair. And, it had a door. They though I was suffering, little did they know that I loved the privacy and quiet. Two years later, we moved to another building and I had a private office again -- with windows. I was there for a total of 13 years. When I was 62 1/2 I retired.

[Phentex]

15. I'd take this advice: don't quit

but be warned and stay on your toes. They may be looking for a reason to fire you.

You can look for work elsewhere while you have this job.

[Honeycombe8]

17. Thank you. I checked the posts this morning before going to work. Baby Boom comes to mind.

My situation reminds me of the movie Baby Boom (great movie), with Diane Keaton. She has a young guy assigned to her. She's missing more & more work because of the baby she inherited, and her assistant moves in. Before long he's forwarding his calls to her office, sitting at her desk in her absence, working on her projects. Finally, the Big Boss tells her he's taking the beefy big account from her & giving it to her assistant (there are always supposed good reasons stated for such things), and he's giving her the low level Dog Chow account. She looks at the big boss & says tearfully that she can't go out to the front & say that she's now working on the Dog Chow account. The big boss tells her, "Well, you've gotta do what you've gotta do."

I have a gut reaction that says that when they start taking things from you, things get continually worse after that. It's a step toward the exit door.

Did Diane Keaton do the right thing when she quit her job in Baby Boom? Some would say she should've stayed, taken it, and worked her way back to where she had been before. I think she made the right choice, when she left. Who wants to work with people who treat you like crap and don't appreciate you (in a big way...not small slights, but big things).

But yours is un uplifting story. That is the positive picture in my mind, when I think of simply taking an office on another floor. My brother said I could give it a try....I can always quit later, if it doesn't work out for me.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate the objective opinions I've gotten here. They're pretty much consistent: take the crap and collect my paycheck, since I don't have long to go there.

[kaitcat]

18. One more thing. This last post about the age discrimination reminded me of this book.

In it you will find a step-by-step guide to letting them push you out the door on your terms -- with a severance package and glowing recommendations. Seriously. And it works. I used some of their advice -- set up a daily log of insults, abuse, et cetera, that was on a shared drive that the shift supervisor had access to -- that got me a lack-of-work layoff from which I drew unemployment for two years until I got my work-from-home business going. I haven't had a commute longer than to my computer in the den ever since.

[Honeycombe8]

20. Thank you! I'll get it. nt

[hedgehog]

21. You're chances of getting another job (maybe even a better job?)

are much better if you're already working. At the very least, if they push you out, at least you're eligible for unemployment. Get your resume together and send it out. Haunt the job listing sites to see what's out there that you'd really like to do. Depending on your circumstances, there are a lot of low wage volunteer jobs that really need experienced people.

And let us know how things are going - there are a lot of sympathetic ears here.

I went through 6 1/2 years of job hell before I got laid off. I kept being put on to back shift, then was brought back to days long enough to get a department straightened out, then back to nights. I was good at my job, terrible at politics. I think I had PTSD for ten years after that.

I'll never prove it, but the executives at the places that can use my skills all know each other. I suspect that I missed out on some job offers and lost another job because of a wink and a nudge from the VP who had it in for me. So I know how gut wrenching it is to work with scum. Don't let them knock you down. Leave when you have some place better to go!

[Honeycombe8]

23. Thank you for your kind words and advice.

I would never last 6 1/2 years at a job where I'm not treated right. I don't see how you did it. I think it would make me physically ill.

I may end up quitting, even though everyone says hang in there. I went to work today and worked on my project. HR didn't call me, which is good. But all day my stomache was in a knot because I'm so unhappy. I'm just miserable. And I'm worried about getting laid off or fired. True, I'd get unemployment, but I've never been fired before. I don't know how I'd take it. And I'm afraid I'm going to say something inappropriate to someone because I'm so bitter and hurt. The personality that gives me a great sense of humor unfortunately also gives me a sleeve with a heart on it. There's no hiding what I feel. I tend to say what I feel and think, with reasonable precaution and being kind.

I'll see how tomorrow goes. I know it's a bummer for others for me to be there; they all know about the office thing. I can tell by the way they're acting. It's always uncomfortable when there's a "problem" with a co-worker.

Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts.

[Mopar151]

45. One of the things that sucks about these situations

Is that, somehow, being skilled and able to get along with your peers works against you. I swear, it's all like high school - the people that are supposed to be in charge (aka the grownups) seem to be trying to join the bully cliques' instead.

And I hear you about getting the blackball put on you - all part of FKEA - Failure to Kiss Executive Ass. How dare you have stature in the world outside work, or fail to live your life the way they think you should?

[hobbit709]

22. Take the hall office and put a sign on the door

"Welcome to Siberia"

[Honeycombe8]

24. Hmmmm. I'm not sure that would go over well. nt

[hobbit709]

25. My attitude has always been

If you're going to be charged, tried, convicted and sentenced anyhow, might as well go for it.

[Honeycombe8]

28. Update - Day 4 since I was handed the bad news

I have been awake all night and now have to go to work and do technical, tedious electronic work. It's unlike me to have insomnia. I'm one of those who falls asleep quickly, stays asleep, then wakes up and gets right up.

My stomache is upset all the time.

Maybe some people just can't handle this "stick with it" thing?

Something else happened to compound my woes. Not a huge thing, but something. The vultures are circling. I realize how vulnerable I am without a VP to protect me.

I still have friends there, thank goodness.

I think constantly about resigning. Or staying. Or applying for a new job. Or going into the temporary job field.

I have lost about 6 pounds in 4 days (very unlike me!).

There is a side of me that is cool & tough. I've made it this far on my own, with little help. I've been around. Where has that cool, tough person gone? I think maybe it's because I recognize a losing situation, when I see it?

I have to decide what to do. I have two weeks until I finish my project, and another month before the horrid move of the offices. Are they waiting for me to find another job? I guess so.

I must decide. Time's a wastin'.

[raccoon]

29. You can’t hurt your employer. That’s true 99.9% of the time.

You could quit right now and….it won’t hurt them. As you said, they’ll still get the project done.

I know that sucks, but that’s the way things are. Talk like “Take this job and shove it” is just talk. When you leave, it’s like when someone takes their hand out of a bucket of water…there’s no difference.

I agree with your friend and your sister.

In the meantime:

--find out the names of good employment lawyers in your area. Just in case you may have need of one, is all.

--TRUST NO ONE

--Watch your back

--Document, document, document,….and keep it somewhere other than work.

One.day.at.a.time.

[Honeycombe8]

32. Thanks for the practical suggestions. I needed to be reminded/told of these things.

I'm too open and trusting. Thanks.

[hedgehog]

30. One day at a time - and remember its them, not you.

You're being bullied by people who think of themselves as the nicest folks in the world. You have two sets of problems - the pain of being bullied and the need to support yourself. If you were independently wealthy, I'd tell you to walk away from the bullying today.

I don't know how to respond to the bullying, all I can tell you is to look for other work.

Do something nice for yourself.

Maybe have a secret token on your desk or on your person that you can look at and remind yourself that you'll be working at a better job soon?

[Honeycombe8]

33. Thank you. I WILL do something nice for myself. I DID remind myself today...

that it's them, not me, as you suggested. It really helped. Thank you.

[hedgehog]

31. Here's a link from the empress of all:

http://www.workplacebullying.org/


I posted about workplace bullying in GD - just to get more input :

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002573888

[Honeycombe8]

34. Like a miracle, the angst and trauma and drama broke today like a fever. And I'm staying.

I hope this helps any others going through a bad time, if they read this. I guess I worried and fretted & sunk so low that I hit a point where I just bounced back today. The sun came out. I did my work, had interactions with a couple of supervisors (who were very nice to me), had lunch with friends. One of the vultures SORT of turned around. The world went around, and the clouds cleared. The shock is over.

And in addition to that, after getting no sleep last night, I managed to work a full day on a computer & keep my eyes open.

I've decided to stay at my job for the time being. I'm curious to see what will be going on at the company. I can always leave later. In the meantime, I have a little time to make plans. I may even decide to leave next week. But the clouds have cleared, and I'm feeling okay about things.

Things do get better.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR HELP. It is really helpful to get objective insight into a situation. I try to give an opinion here, when others ask. I don't know how good it is, but I give my 2 cents. It was amazing to me how many others had experienced a similar thing. Thank you all.

[Dorian Gray]

35. I know that this is going to sound naive

but it's just an office space. Really, does it mean all that much? I've never had to deal with office politics as I was a teacher for years and then worked in a non profit that I run from home.

[Honeycombe8]

38. Yes. It's a demotion, possibly. It means something. It's not just space. It's like...

you work for a school, right? You have a class you go to every day, like the other teachers. Then the school decides that you will be teaching in the old storage room at the end of the hall, now, and Becky Sue will be moving into your classroom. They'll fix the storage room up nice, don't worry.

The other teachers will not regard you the same. You have been demoted. Doesn't matter why. You can pretty up the storage room all you want, but everyone in the school knows that you are not like the others. No one else has been demoted. You will have absolutely no power whatsoever once that happens. You want new pencils? You will have to wait forever for them. Whatever. You have been demoted. Everyone knows it.

Not only that, the person in your classroom will start getting more of the work. Location is everything.

It really is a slap in the face and humiliating. Something like that doesn't happen for no reason. But they won't tell you what it means. You have to guess. Are you telling you to leave? Trying to force you out? Or do they really just want to make Becky Sue happy?

Once something uncomfortable happens, people are uncomfortable around you. The secretaries try not to look at you in the eyes because they don't know how you feel about things; it's uncomfortable. The bosses will feel uncomfortable approaching you in your storage room, when you used to be in a classroom down the hall, like the other teachers.

In my business, we mid-level workers attach to a VP. They are the ones with the work. They are the ones that control things. If I don't have a VP (and I'm the only one), then I'm like an injured bird. It's only a matter of time. First they push you here, then they'll take your work because there's no one standing behind you to stop it. When work is low, there's no one to give you work (no mama bird to feed you).

It's been this way for several years, but it was working because we were so busy, and I have unique skills. We aren't busy anymore, so vultures got together and decided to manipulate their bosses into pushing me out. The bosses don't know, exactly, that's what they are doing....maybe.

So, no. It's not just an office. I don't care about the office. It means something that they are MOVING me out of an office to put someone in who isn't even assigned to our group. Or is she, and they aren't saying that? They will never tell me. I will have to wait and see what the oust really means.

I still am tempted to chuck it in. I'm not wealthy, but I do have savings. I can get by. There's a lot to be said for self-respect and demanding being treated decently. Trust me...when we make the move and people see what has happened...she's in my office, and I'm, well, somewhere else...the whole company will assume I've been ousted. They may even assume it was my work (which is not true). People are already avoiding making eye contact with me.

[Dorian Gray]

43. Obviously this is important to you

and it means a lot to you that you're being moved to another office.

My only advice is that I would try not to make any decisions based upon instinct in this case. Employment is a gift when so many people are unable to find it. Really give yourself a week or two to think about this as logically as possible. If at the end of that time, you are unhappy, you can still leave. Your self respect isn't dependent on a decision NOW. Give yourself a time limit and reevaluate.

I do wish you the best and I'm sorry that you feel underappreciated. That sucks.

[avebury]

48. Can you ask to be asigned to a VP?

If your last VP is gone and was not replaced I am not sure why they didn't assign you to work for a different one.

[Honeycombe8]

49. Well, I couldn't ask, exactly. We're not assigned. The VPs either want & need an asst or they don't.

Not all of them have enough work to warrant that. My VP passed away, and his independent work was waning, anyway. He was replaced with a new up and coming very young VP who has very little work. So all the VPs would give me a project here and there, and genuinely liked me. But they didn't have enough work, or didn't want the responsibility, of having an asst assigned to them full time.

The VPs aren't employees. They are actually partners of the company and are owners.

Thanks for your thoughts and taking the time to respond, though.

[TuxedoKat]

39. Sorry this happened to you

and I hope things work out whatever you decide to do. I don't have much advice but I remember reading Carolyn Kepcher's book on office politics a few years back (Caroyln 101) and thought it had some good advice. She worked for Donald Trump before he fired her and put his daughter in her place.

[Dead_Parrot]

40. Take the hall office and start firing your CV off

I had a similar situation - a sort of sideways, sort of downwards re-org, - and after kicking the cat a few times decided to suck it for now (it paid the bills) but started shopping around as well. 2 months later I was making an extra 20% & partly working from home.

Granted, this was ~10 years ago when people weren't queuing round the block for a job flipping burgers, but if it pans out you can keep getting paid then tell them to stick their office in their orifice. If it doesn't, hey - you still got a job.

Good luck, whatever you choose.

[Honeycombe8]

41. I couldn't make it, or take it. I QUIT MY JOB. Actually...

I quit last Friday. HR told me to re-think that and get back with her. I just couldn't decide. So she "accepted my resignation" today. Decision made.

I hate that it ended this way. But I was miserable. I just couldn't take it anymore.

I'll get by. I'm already signed up with an agency that I signed up with last month.

[kaitcat]

42. No, you didn't quit. For unemployment insurance benefit purposes I mean.

You didn't take the final action. The employer did. That means you're probably eligible to draw your unemployment. It's fuzzy, so you should probably go and talk to a lawyer so when/if your employer protests your claim and you request a hearing, your representative can make that argument for you.

You just have to protect yourself.

I'm sorry that it went down this way.

[HeiressofBickworth]

44. I'm sorry to hear it ended this way.

It's difficult to stay once you realize that the employer no longer has any respect for you. The signs were all there.

I'm one who advocated that you stay until you were forced out so you could collect unemployment. I agree you should seek advice of an attorney but since you tendered your resignation, you indicated your intent to leave which may be what your employer uses as defense of an unemployment claim. OTOH, if you've documented enough evidence, due to your age, you might try for an age discrimination claim. They may offer you a settlement in lieu of any EEOC claim or civil litigation.

I hope you find something else soon. I did temp work for a while and found it really satisfying. You go in as a hero solving a staffing problem, and you get to leave before the office politics can get to you.

Good luck and let us know how things turn out.

P.S. don't get concerned about their wanting you to reconsider, etc. It only signals that you were leaving before THEIR projected time frame.

[Mopar151]

46. Sorry it happened to you. F'n imbeciles.....

In some states, unwarranted demotions and pay cuts are justification for leaving employment voluntarily. And I've had a termination for "cause" converted on appeal to a layoff, 'cuz the "setup" for my firing involved changing my terms of employment without notice.

[kaitcat]

47. Please listen to this person.

They're telling you what I'm trying to tell you. You can draw benefits with what happened. You really can.