Job

[Scoop]

I have worked for a company for many years. So many that everyone in the business is shocked when I tell them I have been there that long.

We had a change in senior management 3 years back. In the past 3 years, I have seen every one of the old managers (of which I was one) leave or get fired. I was the last one.

1.5 years ago they changed who I report to. They were the 4th person I reported to in 6 months. (I would go on to report to 2 more managers in the next 6 months which equals 6 managers in less than 1 year)

I should have seen it coming. I contacted my boss to ask for the new budget template for the year so I could create my budgets. They said that they would work out a draft. Ok fine, not a problem right? Wrong.

One night while working late, I get called into the President's office to answer some questions on "my budget" there is my boss sitting there in the office along with the CFO. The president starts asking me questions about figures in my budget which I have obviously not seen. My boss just kept their head down and did not say a thing. I told the President I would look at the budget and get answers.

The next day I asked the CFO for a copy of my budget. He asked why I needed a copy of my own budget. I told him that I had never seen the budget and that my boss would not give me a copy. He was shocked. He asked my boss if he could give me a copy to which they answered "No".

Needless to say that after another 6 months of my boss lying and blaming me for her mistakes (after being with the company for so long, people would tell me exactly what she was telling them about me) my position was eliminated. I was offered two other positions of which I took one.

To cut the soap opera short, I have been working on selling my house to move to northern Wisconsin. I am interviewing for jobs. My Wife has already been working in northern Wisconsin since January. I stopped looking for a new job while my wife was working on a getting a new job. That is an even more odd story. Her boss who almost dared her to leave actually begged her to come back. She didn't and now a lot of people won't even speak to him. (She is very good. She has one awards from governor and been appointed to boards by more than one governor of both parties)

Hopefully I will find new job, or sell my house soon. This new position is on the chopping block because of a major issue with on of our vendors. My current boss is sending flame mails to the vendor of the products I help our sales staff understand and sell.

I guess I had a good ride for many years. The company is more than ten times the size it was when I started and is being sold as we speak.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Job

Sorry for the story, outlining the sad state of affairs some of our business people create.

Seems that once some of these lying cheating thieves get a foothold in a company, it attracts more of the same, and the company is doomed.
Sounds like you deserve a new job.

I don't know the type of sales or managing you do, but I'm sure it can be adapted to other products. I'm sure you will find something, hopefully close to Rhinelander.

My cousin and his family just moved there. They are working at Fosters and Smith. He is an online and telephone consulting vet, never even has to see an animal.

Anyways, maybe they could use some help in their sales and marketing division. They are growing and expanding in several directions.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Job

Thanks Roscoe, that is one of the places I am thinking of applying.

I did apply for a position with the state. My ranking after the application process is number 1 out of all the applicants. I don't know when they will start the interviews, but I will get one if no one transfers into the position. At least I will likely get a chance.

As I look at things like the Iraq, the flood and other things, I really feel lucky that I have a great family and have worked for a good company for 16 years. the last 3 three may not have been great, but I got a paycheck.

I think the story just outlines what is happening in a lot of companies. My old boss is a friend of the president.

 

[mscher]

Re: Job

Maybe it is opportunity knocking.

Don't rule out a career change, if you see something you like. You only get one chance at life.

Good luck.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Job

The public sector isn't any different, at least in terms of the issues you've experienced. I guess people are people no matter where they work. I am impressed that you're able to remain positive, not only about yourself, but also about your life circumstances, and the company itself. No doubt this quality has contributed to your success over the years and will serve you well as you transition to your next success.

These are qualities rarely valued by most and even more rarely accomplished by those who do recognize their worth.

You'll land on your feet.

 

[bucky7680]

Re: Job

Sounds like your company went from long term thinking to shot term thinking.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Job

Thanks Terry. I understand the public sector isn't any better and in some ways is worse. My wife works in the public sector. I definitely know that the grass is not greener on the other side.

I am thinking of this as a chance to move to a different area, Give my son a chance to attend a better school and for me to get to fish more often.

It was nice at work today. The sale has been postponed and I saw the CEO who is one of the current owners. I told her I was sorry the sale was put on hold (Buyer trying to line up enough credit). She said that it was not a problem and that the sale was still going to happen.

She also said that I should not be surprised when I get a personal card in the mail. She sent one because she thought the deal was going to be finalized tomorrow. Her and the other two owners have been great. (In the last 3 years they have distanced themselves from the company so the president could run the business.) Her comment made me feel good. She is the best person anyone could have hoped to work for. She is the reason why the first 13 years were great.

Bucky, I have to say you are correct, the president is looking for short term profits. He came from a huge publicly traded company.