PA and Secretary Community - Deskdemon.com

At the moment we are going through the final stages of our company re-org.  Staff are being phased in to newly refurbed areas leaving my boss and his department the only ones in this building.

As a result one director has thrown his toys out of the pram and while reluctant to move, now wants his secretary to take back control of travel for his business development team who are currently co-located with their business areas.

This would mean work being taken away from me and 2 other secretaries.  My boss spoke to me briefly about it yesterday and said it would not happen, being in a different building it does not make sense for another secretary to support the guys who sit near me.

During the conversation he threw in that it was mentioned that I would support an additional group of people who currently fall under Operations and are currently not part of my boss's remit.  This threw me altogether because it was random and totally out of the blue.  Am I to believe that because other secretaries and departments are vacating this building that I just take on the workload of those who are left?

Questions arising from this are -

- Which Director are this team going to report to?
- How many are in the department?
- Which secretary currently supports them?
- Why can't that secretary continue supporting them?
- How much impact will this have on my existing work?
- Is it too much to ask for remuneration given no pay rises this year?

Have any of you had to deal with this?  How have you managed your current workload on top of an additional department?  Do management have any idea of what admin staff actually do or do they just expect the work to get done?

Whilst it may seem that I am able to do a good job and am reliable and efficient, it would be professional if these things were discussed rather than assumed.  I don't think my boss realises the impact this could have on him.

Gee,


I have just started a new post and knew when I was recruited that I would be taking on extra duties in the coming months that will entail longer hours.  I will be paid for those hours and eventually my current post will be "refurbished" and reassessed.  My colleagues have had pay cuts for the past two years and are facing no pay increases in 2011 as well as having to take on new tasks because our company is being reorganised.  These are very difficult times and many companies are seeking to cut costs or to manage work without recruiting too many new personnel.  One feels fortunate to have a job, but at the same time it shouldn't mean that one is just used as a doormat.   The effect of a workload that is too heavy combined with no increase in pay is a decrease in morale and motivation and an increase in sick leave. 

Being a newby I am not sure precisely what you do or what level you are at in your team.  On the face of it this looks like a completely new job.  You are asking some very pertinent questions and probably need to explore them with your manager and personnel department.

Asking for a pay rise may not win you any favours at this stage.  I would wait and see what the reorganisation brings and negotiate from there for a reassessment. 

I really feel for you and hope all these changes are not the prelude to redundancy.

Regards,

Celeste

LOL no nothing to do with redundancy, more to do with a director throwing the head up, trying to get back work that his secretary couldn't cope with in the past and now because I do such a good job and it's being noticed, I am being given the additional work while others either claim they are too busy or it's "just not my job".

I don't think there is any harm in asking.  I mean do you think my boss would take on additional duties without being paid for it...??

Gee,

You have a good list of important, reasonable questions that deserve straightforward answers from your higher-ups.  It may well be that they're not entirely sure how it's all going to shake out and don't want to pass on bad information.  (A common problem where I work!  One day you're told ABC and next week you're told XYZ.  You really can't tell what's going on until it's actually happening!)  ???

Regarding a pay increase, however, over the past few years, I've seen plenty of people at all levels - from mail room clerks to vice-presidents - being assigned more duties with no increase in pay.  In one case there was actually a pay CUT, but the choice was that, or lose the job entirely.  Of course, I don't know how UK laws with employement contracts would factor into this, since I'm in the US in an "at will" state.

Not much help, I know. 

But thanks for my morning laugh!  The image of a manager "throwing his toys out of the pram" - priceless!  :D

Oh Katie that's probably a very "norn iron" saying...we use it all the time or alternatively, he/she has thrown their teddy bear out of the pram... :D

You are spot on though - we do go bounce from ABC to XYZ in the blink of an eye.  The thing is once you've said something you can't retract it, so bossie has now sown the seed if you get my drift.

We shall see what materialises but my guess is, the secretarial function in general is being looked at, not just one particular role.

Well it's official but unoffficial and rather disgusting in my book.

I was asked this morning about "a list" indicating revised secretarial support within the company.  It seems the changes are now official, but I am the only one not to have had this discussion with my boss.

In light of the fact my boss has now gone on holiday for 2 weeks, I think it would have been appropriate for him to have AT LEAST called me on Friday to update me (he called other members of his team about other issues) or have HR speak to me on his behalf.

Once again, in yet another company, I am in limbo with little or no communication between individuals or departments.

It may even have been more appropriate for HR to gather the secretaries in one room, update us all together, make us feel like a team, instead of finding these things out from others.  Apparently one secretary was informed 2 weeks ago and let the cat out of the bag when speaking to another colleague.  That is just so unprofessional and creates a very bad atmosphere for everyone involved.

I took the bull by the horns yesterday and contacted our HR Director.  She was able to clarify my new duties are now official but apologised that my boss didn't get to update me before he went on holiday.

That aside a few of the secretaries have kicked off discussions with their union rep about ways of working and grading.  Unfortunately as is the case, union business cannot be discussed with non-members so myself and one or two others have not attended their meeting this morning.

To be honest as long as I have had my new duties confirmed and I have informed the team in question that I will be supporting them, I am happy with things.  Having only been here a few weeks short of 2 years I don't feel I have any reason to question ways or working or grading.  The other secretaries have obviously had to put up with the situation for longer than I have so perhaps have more of a case.

Anyway my weekend starts at lunchtime today and so far the sun is shining.

Well the saga continues...the union did not get much in the way of a response (favourable or otherwise) from HR as regards the questions raised  by the secretaries last week and obviously this didn't go down well.

However, this morning we have received an invite to a brief next week with our Deputy MD.  That should be interesting to say the least, as there doesn't seem to be any formal agenda.

A meeting on this subject without an HR representative, doesn't seem favourable.

I have to ask myself sometimes how companies operate.

Our secretarial brief was very revealing...Deputy MD spoke first, outlining why the meeting was called and apologised for the bad communication.

The "list" of secretaries and associated depts is an interim solution and not permanent.  This is Phase 1.  Phase 2 will look at roles within the organisation and address gaps that need filled.

It was clear HR have stepped out of the loop to allow senior management to steer this exercise.

Let's face it in 20 years I think people need their knuckles rapped if things have gone on this long.  Any wonder some individuals are disgruntled.

The worst thing is with no timeframe it could drag on for ages but it was agreed no one wants that.  So for now we carry on with our interim duties until the next phase is implemented.

 >:(

And then at interviews HR/Management have the nerve to ask us where we want to be in, say, 5 years?

Answer: "well, hmm, up the proverbial creek working for bosses who couldn't organise a ..." (please insert preferred comical situation to suit!).

Jess

Exactly!

If management have no timeframe on this exercise and cannot ascertain (as yet) what their admin needs are for the next X years, how on earth can we as individuals plan career progression or aspire to greater things?

Ok I realise some things are out of my control, but when there is an action upon you from a meeting you attended, you action it, right?

Today we had our second meeting with management, the union and a representative from HR.  The action upon all of the secretaries from last month's meeting was to draft a list of tasks and daily duties as a starting point to re-writing job descriptions and ascertaining what the company needs as regards future secretarial support.

I was shocked that management started off the meeting by repeating a lot of what they had discussed previously.  It was only when they began asking us for assistance by outlining our duties, did I point out an action had been bestowed upon us to do just that.  It was clear looking round the table I was the only one who had done what was asked of me.

At first I was a little embarrassed and several individuals jibed about not having time, trying to make out I must have had too much time on my hands.  I got angry and couldn't believe everyone was making a joke.  Here I was, only in the company 2 years, with other secretaries who have been here 20 years, moaning about their workload, having engaged the union to act on their behalf, yet they had done nothing to help themselves.  Not only that, but they were all still griping about the "list" and still seemed unclear as to what "secretarial support" actually meant.  Some seemed to think it only referred to booking travel.

I seriously couldn't believe what I was hearing and made a point of saying that I clearly understood my duties and was carrying them out.  I highlighted that not only do I provide secretarial support for my boss, but also for other programme managers.  It seems whilst I am carrying on with my job, others are still griping about certain aspects.

In the end an action was taken by management to draft a "template" for the secretaries to complete based on headings they would provide.  I had no problem with that but felt that since I complied the first time round, I was now having to reproduce work I had already done.  The timeframe for this was set at 3 weeks which I found bizarre.  Why would it take anyone 3 weeks to complete a template/questionnaire based on what they do on a daily basis.  Not only that, but it is going to take management a further 2 weeks to collate the findings.

All in all this has resulted in a total of 5 weeks work which, in my opinion, could have been avoided if the other secretaries had carried out the task they were actioned with in the first place.

My question to those of you reading this is, why did only 1 person out of 13 complete the task asked of them, and why did 12 other secretaries not bother to find the time to help themselves in this situation when they are the ones who have engaged the union to sort this out?

Had I chaired this meeting myself I would have abandoned it and demanded the secretaries completed the action bestowed upon them within 48 hours.

I felt it was a complete waste of time and we are now 5 weeks behind instead of ahead.  Given our next meeting is 5 weeks away, it's clear there will be nothing done on this subject before Christmas or the new year.

Gee

It sounds like bone idleness to me, or perhaps (and I may be being quite cruel) ignorance at what an action point is and that it requires, well, actionning on the relevant attendees' part (ie theirs).

I too would be quite miffed if I did my job to the best of my ability, kept to timeframes etc, and then had it thrown in my face like I had done something wrong.

As to the practicalities, I cannot suggest a tactic to cope (as each place is totally different from any other and each situation is different etc!), but rest assured, so long as you did it during your work time and not in your home time, then they can pay for as much repeated tasks as they chose!  It is their dime, their loss and their lack of management skills that has allowed the repeated work to be necessary in the first place.

My thoughts are with you during this trying time!

Jess

Oh Jess thank you for some sanity!

It seems "many of the girls are sceptical about what will happen....largely because of the way they have been treated in the past."  Whilst I understand that, there was still an action on all of us from the last meeting if this exercise is to progress and an end result achieved.

Can you believe I have had to suggest the meeting is minuted and actions circulated?  Surely the Deputy CEO who chairs the meetings should engage his secretary to minute the meetings??

Someone pinch me because I don't believe this is actually happening!

I think it is a common problem when too many people get involved in a process and it ultimately indicates a lack of organization on the part of the manager of the meeting.

Were minutes sent out from the meeting?

As organizer, they should have sent out a note a week in advance to remind people of what they were expected to bring to the meeting.

It is one of my great frustrations when I get involved in a committee that works that way. Such a waste of time and effort.

No Marie.  No agenda for the first meeting because I'm guessing no one knew or planned the structure, and no minutes from the first meeting hence me being the only one to carry out an action.

I suggested future meetings are minuted and an action list circulated and was informed it will be raised at the next meeting.  So you can assume no minutes for yesterday's meeting either.

It was agreed yesterday that a template would be devised and circulated to each of the secretaries to complete.  We have been asked to break down our tasks into average hours which the tool will then automatically calculate into a percentage.  It should have been done that way in the first place instead of me wasting my time on an action no one else bothered about.

I couldn't agree more...there is a total lack of organisation.  When my boss saw the email about the template today he was surprised and asked me what it was about.  I began to explain to him what happened at yesterday's meeting and how I was the only one who had actioned a request.  He agrees with me that it's nonsense and that HR should have been driving this from the start.  At least as his secretary I did what was asked of me.

It is clear I have a completely different attitude to this exercise than the other secretaries.  Is that because I am the newest member of the group and haven't been around too long or because they have been stuck in a rut and are disgruntled with management?

I was chatting with one of the Secretaries yesterday following last week's meeting.

Not only did this individual not carry out the action from the first meeting, but she informed me she isn't going to complete the template either.

What is wrong with these people that they can just blantly refuse to do something?  How can a situation be resolved if others will not contribute or do what is asked of them?  Is she afraid of having her workload laid bare?! 

Again I was totally shocked at her attitude and the games that are being played by others.

Too enamoured of their own greatness and status within the firm.  I get it here too! >:(

I hear others are dithering about completing the template also.

I understand this exercise may not resolve the underlying issues, but surely everyone's workload alters on a daily basis and grading cannot be measured upon workload alone.

Gee, you would have thought so, but bear in mind the ones that complain the most probably have the least work to do and what work they do do is substandard or foisted onto some other poor soul who never gets the recognition or rewards - hail to the unsung heros who we all know but very few say thank you to! You know who you are and you all deserve better! :)

There is even a person here who is supposed to be the secretarial supervisor for the ML team who takes great delight in 'managing the TL team's work when they (and we) don't have enough bottle washers - even her boss hit the roof when it was my turn to lumbered (I was doing the entire ML team monthly billing exercise as well as my ordinary work at the time too, plus my additional credit control!) >:(

It's quite annoying to say the least.

I'm beginning to think they all just want upgraded and a huge pay rise without doing any work to justify it.

They also may not have heard that good, hardworking better people than them are losing their jobs because of the 'age of austerity' and the recession!

god help us, come the revolution (as my mum says!)   8)

I agree Jess.  They have been too well looked after in this company to know what losing their job is all about.

I have seen it happen too many times over the course of the years, it eventually catches up.  This too shall pass:)

Well 2 months on from submitting the "template" there has been no feedback so I asked for an update on where we are, next steps etc.

It seems there was a 2 hour meeting scheduled this week, a further meeting to review data, from what I can gather.  Makes you wonder how many meetings there have been to "review data".

Instead of being informed of what is going on, we have to do the chasing, but then I find that quite typical.  It's always the PA who is pro-active in these situations.

Gee, please don't tell me you are surprised by the goings on!  It is, after all, their reason for being - attending endless meetings that produce no final decision/result.

As my earlier post on this stated, god help us come the revolution (which incidentally is starting in Tunisia and Algeria from what I hear from DH's family who live in Algiers!)  ::)

I guess I'm still learning.

What's the point in starting an exercise when you can't keep those concerned informed?  It's not my way so I find it odd.

Can you think of any other reasonable reason why anyone would want to employ them other than to attend meetings and discuss stuff?

Exactly!

It's very unmotivating...is what it is!

No incentive to do well or perform if there's no opportunity to better oneself.

I cannot believe I am posting this...

Today is 21 Apr.  Bearing in mind we close next week for Easter and do not re-open until 3 May, there has been no update, no correspondence and no feedback re this exercise.

How can management expect us to take them seriously when they cannot even communicate with us?

If this was the other way round, they wouldn't stand for it.  I find it appalling behaviour from a company of this size.  Is it any wonder the other admins have lost heart.  I am just beginning to realise how they feel.

I vote youj put a stink bomb in the exec loos!  That will get them off their backsides  :o.

Failing that, I propose you respond with the answer you want to hear compete with a tick box to show they approve.  Keep it simple (bullet points are always good) and colourful (they obviously have the concentration span of a pre-kindergarten child), and you will have a winning formular  ;D

Happy Easter!

Well pay rise offer confirmed this morning.  Not much to speak of really, but better than nothing.

No more news on secretarial issue but an update could be imminent.

Bizarre question I know, but I take it you all know the process as regards moving up the salary scale for your job?  Here it seems admin staff have no career progression despite an annual and mid-year review.  To me that doesn't make sense.  Why reward only those who make sales when we all have targets to meet.

Anyway glad to have a job so will see what happens in due course.  It's been one long drawn out process with little or no communication in between.

 ;D Congratulations on the success so far as well as your perseverance!  :o

Jammie dodgers all round? ???

Thanks Jess. 

I think I''ll bite the head off another Caramel Bunny this avo to celebrate my tolerance and perseverance! ;)

Exactly the same over here ... the reason given is that the sales team brings in money, but the admins spend it.  :-\

Any caramel bunnies left?  ::)

Oh Duque, so glad to know I'm not the only one!

Do the survey and the Bunnies will be yours!

Opps nearly missed that!

Just done it but .... do you think they will send me the bunnies to Mallorca?

Sugar ... I'm craving now ;)

Enviamos los conejos con sabor del chocolate....si or no?  :P

Siiiiiii, siiiii, siiii  ;D

I'll let you know if I get them  ;)

Union members have rejected pay offer...that's put the cat among the pigeons!!

 ;D Here's some extra work I just spotted on the home page ("100 free giveaways!") - aaggggggggggghhhhhhh (drool!) chocolate!

Something weird going on...could be an announcement of some sort.

Holiday time is when I always get made redundant so nothing would surprise me.

Oh I hope it's nothing like that gee...

Employee sessions this morning, first one for management and second one for non-management.

Not looking good... :(

Well, my head is pickled.  No work has been done here today.

Another very big change is about to happen within my company which means my department will no longer exist and my boss will lose his job title and role.

We don't know any more at this stage until things develop but I am told I have no need to worry.  However my boss is considering his options and to be honest I am not surprised.

At least I heard it all first hand and can go on holiday next week without wondering this or that.

 ::) I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Gee

Jess

Gee, hope everything works out for you.  Enjoy your holiday and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you too.

Oh gee my goodness I'm so sorry. I hope it all works ok for your job. I've got my fingers crossed too.

Well my boss informed me yesterday, ahead of a manager brief this morning, he has decided to take early retirement.  I have been assured I have nothing to worry about.

This morning's brief will outline the next level of management roles and appointments within the latest re-organisation.

While I am not unduly worried, it is a shame that through no fault of my own, I will end up with yet my third boss in as many years.

I am guessing the secretarial issue remains at the bottom of the pecking order until this is all sorted out.

Brief delivered and new org charts circulated to all staff.

It's all out in the open now that my boss is retiring, so since all the other secretaries and their bosses still have a role, just call me 'billy no job'.

I have emailed HR to get a clearer picture on what is happening with me.  As usual that will probably fall on deaf ears.

Another mess!

gee, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well and you are simply slotted with a new boss that you like and work well with.

Well that's the waiting game isn't it and as usual I wil get told at the last minute.

No one seems to have faith in HR but I feel they need to engage more with employees in these circumstances.  One of my team is on holiday at the moment but called me when he heard the news.  It's reassuring he's as concerned for his job as much as I am about mine.

The other secretaries have been here 20 years working for the same bosses, so they can't begin to understand how I feel as they haven't been through this.

It's as if I'm applying for a new job all over again.  I just wonder when it will stop.

Well I am pleased to report that one of my team has also requested a 1:1 with HR.  He has also proposed to our existing boss that we add the topic to our weekly team brief and use this slot to discuss progress on the changes ahead and how it will affect us in our daily work.

It makes me feel I am not the only one out on a limb as regards recent announcements, but that we as a group, want feedback and interaction from HR as well as regular updates as to where we will fit within the new structure.

Surely if a manager from the same department as me is requesting a meeting with HR, some kind of action has to be taken now?

Gee, the more you tell us, to me it sounds like the PTB have not made any plans/decisions and therefore doubtful if HR have been told anything (never mind being able to keep people informed).

I will keep my fingers crossed that I am wrong!

Jess

That is possibly true Jess.

However as I pointed out this "re-org" is not the same as the last one where people just changed job titles or moved from one department to another.

1. We have no boss as he will be retiring
2. We have no department due to the re-org
3. We have no job at present

HR have to be involved if roles no longer exist within the company, even more so since the department no longer exists.

What we want is for HR to engage/consult with us as a group or as individuals on where this leaves us.  I will not be told in an email via an org chart, or as was the last time, verbally by a Director on the hop going from one meeting to the next...unprofessional and unfair.

I communicate with my boss and team, the least I can expect is the same in return, especially when my future is uncertain and my job is on the line.  To have had no reassurance from HR or not to have been offered any assistance or advice, is in my opinion, extremely poor.

I had lunch with a work colleague yesterday and we discussed, amongst other things, the recent changes which are affecting us both.

Whilst she was singing my praises about my work ethic and approach, it was very interesting that she wasn't dissing the ability of the other secretaries, but instead addressed their attitude in going about their daily work.

It is clear attitude plays a huge part and is certainly noticed by others.

OMG, the logic of this place, or lack of it.

Now there is talk union members will vote again to accept the pay offer which will of course be backdated once agreed.  Members think if they do that, any redundancies would therefore be based on the increased salary. ::)

 :o Their Union Leaders are obviously not doing their job properly (would I be right in thinking they are volunteers who have no training and very little understanding of how things work in the real world?).

 ::)

A third person in my team has now contacted HR - so far none of us have received a response.

I have many questions I want answers to, but without divulging how the re-org is shaping up, I can't really pose those questions on a public forum.

Suffice to say, there is now much unrest within camp.

After pressing this issue, I now have a slot with HR next week. 

Whilst this may only be a session for HR to "capture" my concerns, it will be a note to self, that 3 years on I still can't get all the information I have been asking for.

Well I had a 45 mins session - interesting but at least I made some progress.

Further updates re jobs to be confirmed in due course.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that things go well for you gee.

Well it's a mixed bag of tricks...other secretaries telling me one thing, HR telling me something else.

Apparently there is NO salary scale for secretaries, yet if that is true, how did they arrive at xx point in zz band as my starting point?

I asked what the annual and mid year review process fed into if not an increment in salary eg. what is the incentive if no reward at the end of it.  Response...well sure what incentive is there in any company?

It's a dead end and not much incentive if you have to be Miss Perfect to gain the rewards. I just wonder why objectives are set if there is no reward once achieved.   ???

It will be interesting to see what role they come up with for me!

Dug out my letter of offer and it clearly states, this post commences on point xx in band zz of the current salary scales.

What do I do?  Ask for clarification?  This is conflicting information and contradictory in terms.

It seems the entry point I was brought in on is the top of the scale.  Slap in the face for those in the company who have been here 20+ years who have been at the top of that scale for some time.

* * *

On the same topic why do individuals feel the need to "get one up" on others?  I came in this morning to an email from someone at the end of an email trail yesterday, indicating that I would be moving with a certain team as "there is a desk allocated for you".  I am livid.  Even if this is a joke, no one bar HR or my boss should be hinting as to what my new role will be.

This person has no right to make such suggestions so I have forwarded his email to HR this morning making a complaint and asking for clarification.  Even if this team have been informed I am moving with them, it is not up to team members to hint at what they might know.

So far HR have not responded.  It's totally out of order so why do individuals feel the need to do this??

It seems the new HR Director doesn't know very much at all.  One of her team finally confirmed after 3 years there is a salary scale and it seems I was brought in at the mid point where all of the other secretaries have remained.

Bizarre to say the least.  Now asking for clarification on what it takes to move up the scale.  Information not forthcoming so far.

* * *

Oh and the individual who suggested I was moving with his team, has been reprimanded.  Progress?

Gee, you should tell your boss that his constant contradictory messages are confusing.  If he is coming in, fine.  If he says he is then doesn't, he should let you know.

May be better that he doesn't say and then if he appears, bingo.  If he doesn't, no sweat.

The other thing that comes to mind is that he's acting a little out of kilter?  Is he suffering from anything?

Only his upcoming retirement which now couldn't come soon enough!!

Another org chart circulated, one of my current team not on it.

Yikes! :(

I was going to say I've had the morning from hell, but in reality I guess it's been 2 weeks to hell and back.

Remember this, stand up for what you believe in and never allow anyone to bully you.  If they do, confront them so they understand what they have done.

Life is too short, don't waste time and energy on people who wouldn't waste time and energy on you.

I am going to start posting thoughts/sayings for the day so watch this space!

With briefs expected w/c 26 Sept and go live w/c 3 Oct, it seems those affected by recent events should know this week.

I asked my boss earlier if he had heard anything and he sheepishly said he was waiting on final clarification on something, then we will have a chat.

Personally speaking that does not give anyone enough time to weigh up their options.  It seems this company just want employees to go along with whatever they decide.

I would welcome your comments on this and the timeframe involved.

Well I found out today I still have a job.  My boss was going to talk to me tomorrow, but since he indicated he had the details, I kinda wanted to know.

Basically I will be working for one of the programme managers who has just taken over one of his existing programmes.  I will continue to work for my current boss until he retires which he is hoping to get clarification on tomorrow.  Eventually I will be relocated back in the building I started in which was refurbished after I move out.
 
I'm happy enough however some of the other secretaries will be shifted round due to some of their bosses taking on new roles.  Not sure how well that will go down, as some have worked for the same boss for many years.

Now I just have to figure out a way to whip these boys into shape.  Since they already know me they should be shaking in their boots!  ;)

Yeah! I am so happy for you gee. I know how wearing the uncertainty is.

Thanks.  I was concerned as to what role would they would offer me and expressed this to my boss today.

Thankfully, all seems to be ok.  I'm just curious about the others.

Well done!  I am really pleased for you - way to go and scare the little beggars witless!

Jess,

I don't know who will be more surprised, them or me!

They will be punished, I'm sure we had a pact...tell them Gee is rubbish at her job and we don't want her back! :D

Well the cracks are beginning to show.

More than a week after I was spoken to by my boss, we are no further on.  Several individuals have yet to be spoken to and in the meantime I am being ask to book travel for individuals I don't know.

You would think all those affected would be spoken to on the same day, so changes for everyone would come into play on the same date.  My understanding was that changes were to come into effect from next Monday, now it seems half the company have implemented the changes, while the other half struggle to understand what is going on.

Gee

Sounds about right.  I have direct reports across 2 different buildings (1 in Central London and 1 in Croydon) with 1 building being across 2 different non-consecutive floors.  Am just waiting for some of them to be put onto the first floor then I can run around 3 different floors AND 2 different buildings with at least 30mins  travel between each building!

C'est la vie!  >:(

It's not just me then! :D

Great!  I found out yesterday, only by asking, it was originally intended that new re-org changes would come into effect next week, however that looks unlikely now.

Why can't anyone communicate this?  What is the hold up?

Any wonder my boss cannot wait to retire.  I might go with him!

Well the jigsaw is now finally being pieced together, with some changes to be implemented next week.

At least the secretaries now know who they are supporting and where they fit into the overall structure.

That really is crazy the way they are rolling out your changes. I can see why you find it frustrating. Hope they get it all sorted out soon.

Gee,

Who is in charge of all these changes at your place of work.  Sounds like they should be FIRED!  When you reorg, they WHOLE org should get the communication from the CEO down to the janitors (not to put janitors on the end of the list, they provide a much needed service and very important roles).  Communication is lacking here.  You need to find out through the grapevine who you are supporting?  It is assine. 

Yep I hear ya, preaching to the choir here! :D

I asked my boss if the information would be cascaded down through the teams and he assures me all will be done by Friday.

And then of course all hell will break loose trying to get bums on seats on Monday morning.  Thankfully bossie and I are staying put until the end of the month.  Three weeks to so, retirement do to organise, collection to sort, pressie to buy and I still have to pack up and move! :o

I was in a similar situatation about 10-years ago.  Been with the company 20+ years.  No communication.  I left for better pastures.  I really feel for you.  You spend a 1/3 of your life working, another 1/3 sleeping, and hopefully 1/3 with friends and family.  But it is 1/3 working, that drives you.  Why is that?  Because you care about the people you work with, love the job, etc. Who knows what drives us to stay at a crazy situation

Well while I was off on Fri an email was circulated from HR confirming new secretarial reporting duties.

From the feedback HR have provided, or not provided, it's clear my new boss and I need to sit down and finalise the details and discuss the way ahead.

We have scheduled that for later this morning, so hopefully I will get a clearer picture on things, including how he operates on a daily basis.

Hi Gee

How was the meeting?  Hope you get everything sorted out as soon as possible for you.
Chatham.

All went well thank you and it seems my new location will be with one of the existing programmes who I already support.

However I was shocked to hear that one admin "refused to move" in order to accommodate one of our Directors and his PA, so instead they are being relocated in a quieter area near me.

I thought it was very childish and instead of being allowed to do as she pleases, she should have been made to move.  Awkward or what?! :o

How does one refuse to move?  I want to learn that skill set!

Me too Atlanta!  Maybe Marie can add it to her seminar programme!!

Actually the refusing to move is the easy part. I'm more interested in the rest of the sentence "without getting in trouble!".

It's final.  The company re-org is now complete, bar the relocation of some individuals by the end of the month.  The main thing is, these changes have now been communicated to all employees, together with supporting information and org charts.

I will relocate at the end of the month when my boss retires, so a busy couple of weeks ahead.

No extra remuneration in sight but at least we still have jobs for the time being.

Mmm did I speak too soon? :o

It has been communicated to managers today that redundancy nos are to be announced next week.  I hate the thought of going through this again, but at least we have been told officially.

Gee - so sorry to hear your news.  Fingers crossed for you.

 >:(!

Big hug coming your way!

PS you can have my job, but I bagsy my days off in advance (pps seriously, you can ....!)  ;D

Fingers are crossed that you keep your job Gee. That stress is so horrible to go through.

Thanks all.  Not sure if having been through it before helps.

Anyway depending on the nos to go, will determine the process eg. 90 day consultation.  At least it was communicated quickly.  We should know more on Monday.

Well just in case, it's probably a good idea to update the CV and make sure your references are up to date. Never hurts to have that stuff ready to go, even if it isn't needed.

Mmm not good news. 

Without going into detail, my company will commence a voluntary redundancy programme.  Those individuals who submit an expression of interest for voluntary redundancy will be considered, but if numbers are not reached, then other individuals and departments will be at risk.

At this stage only departments/job families have been identified.

Interesting the mix of people who put in for voluntary redundancy and got it.  We haven't officially been informed of the details yet, but hopefully this should put us in a better position for 2012.

I imagine there will another minor reshuffle in the meantime.

Hope they got enough that they don't need more cuts!