I was a bit reluctant to post anything about this but since I spend more time "talking" to you guys than anyone else I thought what the hell.

First a bit of background. Barbara and I work for a home health, durable medical equipment, and retail pharmacy company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the largest hospital in Chattanooga. She will have been with them for 14 years next week. I've been there 4 years but previously worked for them in a consulting capacity since the early '90s. I am and have been the only IT staff the company employs.

On Monday of this week Barb was informed she had to relinquish her office and move to a cubicle by the end of the week to make room for an employee who has been with the company for less than a year. Her biggest contribution to the company as far as I can tell is an amazing willingness to kiss ass.

Barb only works 3 days a week now but handles all the banking as well as purchasing office supplies and various other duties.

There is another office 60 feet away that has been unoccupied for over a year.

My problem (and hers as well) is not what has been decided but how it was presented. It was crass and uncouth. You guys should be proud of me - 5 years ago I would have walked whether she stayed or not.

The real kicker in all of this is I found out that back in the spring during budget time the administrator of the company suggested her job be eliminated completely and she's kinfolk! That's the most hurtful part of all.

Is this the way it is in business today? Am I overreacting? It's really tough to see someone you love go through something like this knowing there's nothing you can do.

For now I'm just looking to get out by the most expedient way.

 

It is hard to justify an office for someone who works 3 days a week. Business today is all about the bottom line. Nothing you posted here is unusual at all. If you do decide to leave, be careful of where you go. It may be worse. I heard a story the other day about a large company that fired 300 or so employees by e-mail and gave them all 1/2 hour to clear out.

 

So it's all as callous as I thought. Well I may just go anyway. I'm pretty sure they're going to need a high priced consultant for a while.

Thanks LB. Still wish you could make it here next month.

 

Sounds like most companies; the surprising thing is the kinfolk angle. If you have to let relatives go you would think they would be up front about it. That's just not right.
I work for a large company and they treat me well, but I have no illusions about the fact that if it were to benefit them I would be gone tomorrow. I find that I can do my job, which I like, and at the same time take advantage of everything that is in my contract and feel the relationship works both ways. It's just a job and not to be taken personal, don't leave based on emotions.
You have car parts to buy.

dvh

 

It's not just the relation part. It's more about a culture of elitism that seems to have evolved over the last couple of years. It's so sad.

My mind's made up I think. I may have to sell some stock or something but I think I'm going to let them find someone else to do my job. We'll be allright, no need to worry on that account.

 

Mike,

That is exactly the way that business is conducted today. I grew up in a small family business in the mens clothing industry. I can remember a time when things were very different. Unfortunately its a brave new world.

Still, make your choices and decisions very carefully. I was very unhappy with the firm I was with for the last 8 1/2 years. I decided to make a change to a larger more modern company. I'm not unhappy that I left the other firm, but I'm miserable at the new firm. This weekend the resumes go out. Make your moves wisely.

Good luck.

 

Rob -

Right now I'm holding cards that management there doesn't even know they need to consider. I'll never be in a better position to deal with them in terms of strength.

For the most part all I want is for them to listen.

 

They won't. That's all I wanted from the place I left too. They only listen after you're out the door.

 

Sorry to hear about this, Ray. It does seem most companies are only concerned about the bottom line these days, and I guess that's to be expected.


Good luck with whatever you do.

Rick and I were talking tonight and we both have concerns about our jobs, down the line. He sooner than I. Neither of us expect shoddy treatment, but looking for jobs is not tops on our "to do" list.

Rob, sorry to hear your move was not what you thought it would be.

 

Been said already, but this sounds "normal". Business is about the $$. Leave emotion out of any your decisions. Your moves should be based on the same... ($$). Best of luck!