Is it politcal suicide to look for new job within same company?

[sparkles_95130]

I ask this because I work for a high level, fairly visible exec in favor with the CEO, who is chartered with a key company deliverable for this year. It is the number one initiative for my division so I’m concerned about how it would look to leave my boss – and the possible repercussions. However, I’ve now put in 6 months with new boss who I at first thought a driving work ethic and incredible pace was going to be something that would last only a few months. I now see the unreasonable pace may be permanent and am trying to think through next steps. I would really value your thoughts.

I got the flu mid-November and because of the long hours without rest just before Christmas was diagnosed with pneumonia. I told bossie I could no longer come in the office and needed to take a few sick days – which it seemed meant, work from home days to bossie as I continued to get emails, phone calls, and action items. Finally it took doctor putting me on medical leave last week to get it all to stop: on one hand I’m told I can’t work overtime and on the other told I won’t be given project work till 5pm that is due by 9am the next day, weekly staff meetings are now 9-10:30pm, had to set-up major 2-day offsite meeting W/Thursday for executives that could only be set-up during holiday shutdown due to last minute notice, “homework” given last day of work that was due day we returned from holiday, had to set-up 2-day offsite team meeting Fri/Saturday with all newly created materials for all … and that was just a few things from last week. Oh and to top it off payroll sent me an email and cc’ed boss that because I was out sick the day before Christmas I would not get paid for the holiday – and boss knows full well I had been doing work from home at boss' request, which felt a bit like getting coal in my stocking. I am the 3rd person to go on medical leave since new boss came. Four people quit, two were let go, two sat down this week with boss to say the pace is too much (3 if you count me), and the rest are all new. BUT new boss is looking great and getting things done in the eyes of the execs, but it’s killing those of us who work there. I knew the problem wasn’t good when boss kept giving me work after I told them I had pneumonia, but was sure when I came in the office to tell boss I needed medical leave and was asked, “well aren’t you planning to work the rest of the week?” Hello? I have pneumonia (and it's because of you)! Making sure everything got done even though I was visibly very sick and before I left didn't even get me a thank you. I’m not sure there is any real way to work with this type of passive aggressive manager in the long term. Even a close friend bossie hired broke down under the pressure.

I really like this company and have been there almost 5 years. Not as young as I used to be, I’m concerned about trying to change jobs in this economy and becoming someone with no seniority when it comes to layoffs that might happen in a new company. Also, if I talk to HR about a looking for something new it *would* get back to my boss.

Any thoughts, insight, or advice?

[gee4]

Firstly, I think you need to slow down, relax and concentrate on the main issues here.

We are all expected to be flexible as regards working hours but once you start staying in the office after 5 or 6pm, there will be repercussions on your personal life and obviously your health as you have mentioned.  Personally I could not keep up that pace.  I like to be busy but not put under that kind of pressure.  My health is extremely important to me.

I just wonder how individuals were able to contact while you were off sick?  and more to the point, if you were off sick, why did you respond?  Lessons to be learned.

Forget looking for another job for now, you have to focus on what you can do to get your health back and then ascertain what can be done to alleviate your heavy workload.  A doctor's line outlining your illness should have alerted HR and your boss as to how your health has deteriorated, which I hope improves soon.

Pneumonia is not something you recover from in a week so consider a further sick line from your doctor until you have fully recovered.  In my company we have a "return to work" interview if we have been off sick and this is conducted by a line manager.  I would suggest on your return you seek a meeting with HR and/or your line manager to discuss your situation - that cannot and must not be ignored.  Only then will your line manager be able to delegate work accordingly.

I am of the opinion if your workload continues at the current rate, you are always going to feel under pressure and your health will suffer.  You also have to learn to say no, sorry I can't get to that today, but I can do it for you tomorrow.  If you are not paid overtime or contracted to work flexi time, then just work your normal hours.  This should be acceptable during your "return to work" period and should be re-assessed on a regular basis by HR and/or your line manager so that your health does not suffer again.

I am sure others will add their comments but you must deal with this in steps to achieve the end result.

[msmarieh]

I think it would be wise to have a nice long chat with HR, even if it could get back to your boss. Of particular concern to me would be scheduling a meeting at 9:00 at night. That is absolutely unacceptable (even with overtime!). I think you should look for something else within the company. Having been there five years, I think it is perfectly acceptable.

However, I also agree with gee that your primary directive at this exact moment is to get your health back to full 100 percent. Take care of that before all else.

Good luck.

[Atlanta Z3]

To answer your question - no.  I know of many admins who have transferred to different departments.  One admin at a previous company who supported the president was the current facilities manager.  (It should be noted the company was bought out and her president resigned.)
I agree health first.
Second before going to HR I would block out time very shortly after coming back off sick leave (without duties at home) to discuss the needs of the current president.  It sounds like you need an assistant or he needs more than one assistant.  Before giving up the ship are there any responsibilites that can be off loaded to another admin?  For example if there is a sales and marketing admin can s/he be responsible for scheduling meetings and you handle the agendas and handouts?  Can any of your functions be automated?
Third: I would also set very definite time limits on the use of my time.  If I can not work over time but am expected to answer his calls at 9:00 at night - something has to give.
Fourth and last: I would also learn how to push back.  Make the boss set the priorities. When a new assignment comes along. let hime know what tasks you are working on approximate time to complete and would he set the priorities.
Good luck and let us know what happens.

[Atlanta Z3]

PS thought.  Somewhere on this site or the admin prof site there was an explanation on how to keep a job journal of tasks.  You may want to track your job for a few weeks and then go to the boss with what was completed and what it took to complete.  He may be clueless and need his expectations readjusted.
Susan do you remember the task journaling?

[peaches2160]

It does sound as if you need an assistant or your boss needs two. 
Your health is your number one priority. 
I told a boss once, I have priorities. 
1.  My Family 
2.  My health 
3.  My job responsibilities. 
The first two I can not replace.  However, I can always find another job.  It may not be the ideal job, and it may take time to find it, but I will always find another job.  He respected me for that and we ended up working well together for a few years.

You should not be asked to work while out sick.  I would propose getting additional resources within the department to meet the demands of the increased workload required to meet the goals and objectives of your boss and the organization.  Whether  it be temps to assist, or a permenant placement.  You should not work when you are sick and on leave.  Pneumonia is not caused by a person, but obviously your system was worn down which weakened your immune system.  I recommend you propose the additional resources.  If that request is not granted, then you are well within your right to interview within the company for other jobs.  Does your company have an internal job posting system?  Check it out to see what jobs are available. 

You may want to consult with HR if you feel you can not come to agreement with your boss.  I too work for a "work- aholic"  he admits it.  But he does not expect me to do the same.  Yes, I have to put in extra time and be flexible to keep up and stay 2 steps ahead....within reason.   

Keep us posted and let us all know how it works out. 

[sparkles_95130]

FYI, my boss does know the workload is heavy and originally said it would blow over after they were settled into new job, but that isn't turning out to the case. I always make boss aware of everything I'm working on and have pushed back, but for example boss was calling me with work while I was home sick (not now that I'm on leave as legally can't). It wasn't that I wasn't saying no, it was that I answered my personal phone. In the past I've also sat down with boss documenting I have over 300 emails daily with almost all containing action items and of course that is just email. This doesn't include my review of boss's email which because sometimes boss forgets to copy me on actions so I must review incoming, sent, and deleted emails, because if boss forgets something I'm sure to be blamed in an email copied to all. However, to be fair I also am touted as "my fabulous assistant" will take care of xyz in emails.

I don't actually think overtime would be a problem (for my boss) except I know upper management gets a report when overtime exceeds a certain number and I'm sure they've spoken to my boss because of it, hence the reason telling me no overtime. It's not just me, everyone in the dept is treated this way and I have already made mention of certain things to our HR rep. However my group is actually within the HR org so this makes it more difficult. Also there isn't anyone I can share the workload with and hiring someone isn't an option.

To clarify I do say no but am mostly ignored. When I did push back, and actually stopped working overtime, boss sent me an email telling me I wasn't completing my duties. I don't see a way to win here, in fact the day I went out on leave saw where boss created/published job descriptions for all, including me with new (time heavy) duties we'd never discussed. Of course I will need to address this upon my return, which I have no problem doing. I just doubt the outcome based on my experience, peers, and comments from boss' previous asst at another company. Boss is not a workaholic, boss overcommits, dumps on dept and goes home. However is certainly a wicked type A. Thanks for letting me vent; right now they are looking for a temp to fill in and another EA, a good friend, offered my boss limited help so the phone calls/emails have stopped. I spoke to her today and she is drowning in work so hopefully a temp will be hired soon.

Now that I'm on leave and had a chance to step back, I think the best thing I could do is change jobs, but as I mentioned my boss is high profile right now. If I can find something it would mean most likely taking a job with a lower level manager which would make the reason for my leaving obvious to both higher ups, who all know me, and anyone I'd interview with. If I leave dept it will reflect poorly on my boss so possibly me too. I'm concerned with the impact of that on me and wonder if because of company politics if the best thing I can do for myself is just look outside the company for a new position. What does your political savvy instinct tell you?

[Atlanta Z3]

I'm not sure I undestand why stepping down from a position reflects badly on your boss.  My first instinct is maybe it needs to, part of being a good boss manager is know the capability (quality and quantity) your team and admin can perform.  If he over committs and misses deadlines, "forgets" to include you that is just poor management.  I feel for you, I've been in situations where my boss did not communicate - but that's another post!

My instinct is telling me to look outside the company.  Even if you go to work for another manager who is to say the current boss will not continue to ask you to work for him, particularly while the new admin is coming up to speed.  Trying to learn a new department, manager etc while still drowning from the old boss is difficult.  I transferred in one company really a sideways move but more challenging.  The old VP put restrictions on the transfer that I had to be available for special projects for his team.  The new department was a start up department for the company and needed every thing from furniture, computers and staff training.  It wasn't impossible but I put in many long hours to fulfill the needs of all the managers.

Just because your boss is high profile, doesn't mean it will reflect badly on you.  I would be honest that the position is more than you "want" to handle right now.  It has affected your health and a less demanding position albeit a challenging one would be better for all at the present time.

[peaches2160]

I agree with Atlanta on her comments.  Looking for a position outside of the company would probably be best if additional resources, prem or temp are not an option.  By the way, not sure where you are working, but in the US if you are non exempt, your employer is required to pay you overtime for every hour worked over 40 in a work week. 

[Atlanta Z3]

It's not true about the over time.  It depends on the job classification.  Strickly speaking yes administrative assistants fall under the 40 hour rule, but many employers get around that by putting them on 'salary' and changing the title for tax purposes.

[peaches2160]

If the position is classed as non exempt and paid hourly, OT is required to be paid for every hour over 40 worked.  However, if the position is classed as Exempt, salary is paid and the employer can work you as many hours as they want.  I believe there is caviat at 60 hours within a given week though.  Below is a link to the US Dept of Labor Website.  This website is full of information that may be of value.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/overtime.htm