Office Move / Reshuffle

[gee4]

Over the past few months we have been informed our building will be refurbished and in addition, there will be a company re-organisation.

I just assumed that each phase, when informed, would pack up, move to a temporary location and once the work was complete, return to our original area.  

However just as I am beginning to settle here, I find that is not the case.  I asked my boss yesterday if we were moving because some have begun to pack and move while others know they will be moving in due course.  His reply was that he could not confirm or deny it and my big worry is that I won't be working for him at all ie. with the company re-org he could be taking on another role.

This is a bit of a shock for me and although now permanent, I still feel like an outsider.  I understand his position is delicate and he cannot reveal all of what is going to happen but that just makes me feel he does not trust me.

I was just beginning to accept my surroundings when this happens and I am not sure what to think.  To top it all, if I am moved, I will end up in amongst a bunch  of secretaries that are extremely clicky and stand-offish.

Like I said, every day something new.

[JessW]

Gee

Don't panic.  That is the worst thing you can do.

Is the move round / reshuffle general knowledge?  If so, even in part, talk to someone from HR or whoever it was that 'recruited' you in the first place.  Tell them that you realise that the full picture is probably sensetive information but as you are new and have not had an easy employment history in recent years you feel concerned for your position and what you will be doing/where you will be moving etc and could they give you some idea how the changes (if any) will affect you - emphasise the need for job security and that you would not divulge anything to anyone, but that you really would like some sort of comfort for peace of mind.

That is what I would do, personally, and most people will understand this.

Hope this helps!

Jess

[gee4]

Yes it's a re-org / shuffle happening in my building but having a company-wide impact.

To be honest since I already posed the question to my boss I would hate him to think I was going over his head by asking HR as they could relay that back to him, so I have to be careful.

It's difficult for me as the last time this happened there were a lot of changes which I believe led to my redundancy.  I have no idea if it is on the cards again but I have real doubts if he can't tell me if we are moving or not.  Surely I need to know eventually in terms of packing, shredding and archiving.

(trying not to panic....1, 2, 3....)

[Katie G]

Gee,

As far as a potential office move is concerned, the best thing to do with the knowledge (or lack thereof) you have is to just make sure you have everything over which you have any control shipshape and ready to go at a moment's notice.  Any purging, filing, general cleanup, that sort of thing.  I know you've only been in the position a short time, so most of that will probably be from your predecessor(s).  Probably good practice anyway.  (I had friends in a department who came back from a meeting to find a moving crew waiting at their door!  They had no idea!  They bargained with the crew to give them two hours to box everything up -- didn't have a chance to go through anything -- just loaded everything in boxes and headed over to their new digs.  After hearing that, I decided I should be ready to pick up and go!)

As far as the status of your job, well, I'm sitting here in limbo myself lately and the best piece of advice I've gotten is "stay loose."  Which for me, is far easier said than done!  In fact, I too am facing the possiblity of being moved to another division that's kind of cliquish too and I'm not relishing that idea -- AT ALL.

I'm trying VERY hard  not to fret too much, to just keep doing my job to the best of my ability.   On the other hand, my resume is polished and posted on the internet, and I've been quietly networking just putting the word out that I'm "open to new oppoortunities."  I don't want to leave, but it may not be my choice, right?  The current economic situation has kind of turned everything topsy-turvy (heck, I'm in one of those fields which was supposed to be recession-proof!) which is very disconcerting to people like me (and, I suspect, you, Gee) who like to be informed so we can "plan our work and work our plan".  

So, "stay loose".  You are a smart, talented, woman with a lot to offer any organization.  We may not like where we end up in the short term, but long term, we'll be okay.....

[gee4]

Well Did I hope things work out for you in your situation too - it's not easy huh?

I think I was more disappointed with my boss because he wouldn't share any information with me, not because it might mean bad news.  I guess I will be informed when I need to know.

[peaches2160]

Ah yes, sounds similar to the office re-org underway at our place too.  End of the fiscal year always brings changes.  However, I am lucky in the respect that my boss and I keep each other informed.  He tells me what I "need to know", which is the best way.  Sometimes, it's better that way.  There are times when he can't tell me right awy, but when he has word that something big is going down, he makes every effort to let me know so I am not blindsided and I do the same.  We call it the "rumble in the jungle".  Right now, I am waiting for facilities to show up with the moving tubs:)  A couple folks have already taken home their personal items, fearing the worst.  I don't have that attitude though.  Can't worry about things you can't change.  Sometimes your mindset can set your destiny.  We know we are moving within the building, it is just a matter of when.  We are anxious to get the ball rolling though.

[Katie G]

"Need to know" seems to be the name of the game everywhere these days.  Rumors abound and they change on a moment's notice.

Peaches, I laughed out loud when I read your "rumble in the jungle"!  And then there's the flip side out of the old movies where one character (usually at night somewhere outside in the middle of nowhere) says to the other, "It's quiet" and the other guy says, "Too quiet".  We've been having some spates of "too quiet" as well as the "rumble in the jungle."  

Sigh I've been hitting the chocolate pretty hard lately.....

[peaches2160]

Ah yes.....Chocolate:)  It has been disappearing rapidly at our place too.  Alot of covert phone calls, people shutting doors so no one can hear, taling outside on their cell, etc.   I just keep my nose down and do my job.  

[gee4]

One thing I hate is not being informed of developments eg. coming in dressed for work only to find it's packing up boxes time.  Not a good idea when you could have come in dressed to pack!

Some organisation and planning that is.

Thanks heaven's it's Friday - I just want out of here!

[itsme_calista]

Going through it here too  Lots of good people disappearing from offices around the country.

[Katie G]

"Alot of covert phone calls, people shutting doors so no one can hear, taling outside on their cell, etc. "

We have that here too.  It's all very "cloak and dagger".

[peaches2160]

Not sure where you are located, but our company is really cutting costs to save jobs right now.  I appreciate what they are doing.  Hopefully it will work.

[gee4]

Bang, bang, bang.....drill, drill, drill.....how on earth can anyone work in that kind of atmosphere?

Surely it has to be a health and safety issue for employees?

[itsme_calista]

Sigh found out today that our office will be relocating, I knew it was on the cards, so not surprised, but where they are relocating too has annoyed me

I work half a mile from my house, and the current offices are located next to my son's school, I share a car with hubby although I have it 90% of the time.  I made the decision to work so close to home a few years back as I hate travelling through rush hour.

Found out the new offices are 20 - 30 minutes drive away in a smallish village/suburb the other side of town, not on a direct bus route either   I know this won't be of concern to my bosses but grrr, my hours will have to change, my travel costs will rise, I'll need to find childcare, all at a time where money is tight.

They have done this to appease a client we have in the current building, and of course the new offices are right on their own doorstep.

I know I should be grateful to be in a job right now, however, my work life balance has been something that's very important to me and I've worked so hard at and finally achieved. This will have a big impact on my family

On the plus side, a reshuffle means that it's likely I will reporting to 3 Directors in the near future so my workload and job interest should pick up over the next 3 - 6 months.

[gee4]

Callie I do sympathise especially as you took the role knowing it fitted in with location and hours etc.

Things seem to be rocky all round at the moment.