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Think my employers are giving my job to someone else to get rid of me.
honeypop
Posts: 1,502 Forumite
I hope all this makes sense to whoever reads it, I am kind of writing as I'm thinking it. It's long and rambling, sorry!
I am currently on maternity leave - started Feb 2011 - and just had a call from the person covering for me while I am off, to explain that some of my duties are now going to be outsourced (I suspect mainly because she cannot do these particular tasks). These will remain outsourced permanently, so when I return to work - which I plan to do in October - I will no longer have to do these tasks. This takes away approx 40% of my workload as it was before I left.
She has also taken on a lot of extra tasks (as she wanted the overtime) which now takes up quite a bit of time, and she estimates that 60% of time is spent on the new stuff and 40% on what was my original role. I know obviously I will be expected to carry on with this when I return as that is how my role has evolved, as they do.
She mentioned that seeing as my role has changed quite a bit, I probably wouldn't want to go back, would I? I told her yes I would be returning as planned, to which she replied that my manager would have to talk to me about it nearer the time and I just left it. I knew from the start that she wanted my role permanently and was always hoping that I wouldn't return, so this is not a surprise to me that she is trying to put me off. Being mostly admin based, the bit in my contract about taking on any other duty requested of me pretty much covers everything, although these particular tasks she's taken on I had spent quite some time declining to do them as I really wasn't comfortable with it and don't think I should have been doing it when there are others who could have easily incorporated it into their workload as it was related to their role, but now that's the main part of my role, and so be it.
I just wanted to clarify something. This company has a nasty habit of making people redundant, they decide they don't want them anymore and engineer a 'redundancy' situation to get them out. Not always in the right way either as most have ended in compromise agreements to get them to go instead. I hate this side of them, but a job's a job and I wanted to keep mine so just got on with things. Now, I feel it's coming to me. I can guess - because I know how things go here - that my manager will email me (doesn't do phone calls, he doesn't like confrontation!) and let me know that as my role is no longer as it was, then I am no longer needed and therefore no need to return at the end of my maternity leave.
I am the only person in this role, except obviously the lady covering my absence, so would this constitute redundancy? I don't think so, seeing as the role is still there, although largely changed so this is what is confusing the situation in my head (not helped by lack of sleep with an 11 week old).
The other thing I think they will throw in, is this: Due to a previous drop in workload, we agreed to change my hours from 5 days in the office, to 4 days - 2 in the office and 2 from home (to save travelling to the office to do work that can easily be done remotely). It was all informal, no changes to contract, so I knew it could all change back anytime. Now the work requires 5 days in the office, possibly 1 at home instead. They will use the fact that the hours are now different to what I was on before I left, and say that it's a different job (the lady covering me said as much). If it truly needs 5 days in the office then I will do it, it's not me saying I can't change back, it will be them saying it.
I don't want to pre-empt this and contact my manager to find out what's going on, as from what I have been told today I think I wasn't meant to know, and it may not happen for some months. I just want to be ready for when (if) I get the word that they 'no longer need me', because if the role of X still exists, although slightly different to before, then that's still MY role and I do want to return to work (I have to for financial reasons, and wouldn't get anything on similar pay for similar hours).
There is no reason for them to want to get rid of me, up until I left I was regularly getting daily praise for what I did. But my replacement does things for my manager that I wouldn't (he really wanted a PA, and one that would run personal errands in the work day, whereas I couldn't spare the time from my actual work to do things like collect his dry cleaning, buy gifts for people, research things he wanted to do/buy etc). This isn't all the extra work she has taken on, but will be the one thing that makes him prefer her to me, as he likes 'power'.
PS, when I took on this role, the lady before me had been 'made redundant' in a similar way, and I basically was given most of her work and told to add some stuff to it and they changed the job title a little bit, but essentially it was the same role. She left before I started, but I know this was wrong of them to make her redundant as the role was still there. They are not great employers!
I am currently on maternity leave - started Feb 2011 - and just had a call from the person covering for me while I am off, to explain that some of my duties are now going to be outsourced (I suspect mainly because she cannot do these particular tasks). These will remain outsourced permanently, so when I return to work - which I plan to do in October - I will no longer have to do these tasks. This takes away approx 40% of my workload as it was before I left.
She has also taken on a lot of extra tasks (as she wanted the overtime) which now takes up quite a bit of time, and she estimates that 60% of time is spent on the new stuff and 40% on what was my original role. I know obviously I will be expected to carry on with this when I return as that is how my role has evolved, as they do.
She mentioned that seeing as my role has changed quite a bit, I probably wouldn't want to go back, would I? I told her yes I would be returning as planned, to which she replied that my manager would have to talk to me about it nearer the time and I just left it. I knew from the start that she wanted my role permanently and was always hoping that I wouldn't return, so this is not a surprise to me that she is trying to put me off. Being mostly admin based, the bit in my contract about taking on any other duty requested of me pretty much covers everything, although these particular tasks she's taken on I had spent quite some time declining to do them as I really wasn't comfortable with it and don't think I should have been doing it when there are others who could have easily incorporated it into their workload as it was related to their role, but now that's the main part of my role, and so be it.
I just wanted to clarify something. This company has a nasty habit of making people redundant, they decide they don't want them anymore and engineer a 'redundancy' situation to get them out. Not always in the right way either as most have ended in compromise agreements to get them to go instead. I hate this side of them, but a job's a job and I wanted to keep mine so just got on with things. Now, I feel it's coming to me. I can guess - because I know how things go here - that my manager will email me (doesn't do phone calls, he doesn't like confrontation!) and let me know that as my role is no longer as it was, then I am no longer needed and therefore no need to return at the end of my maternity leave.
I am the only person in this role, except obviously the lady covering my absence, so would this constitute redundancy? I don't think so, seeing as the role is still there, although largely changed so this is what is confusing the situation in my head (not helped by lack of sleep with an 11 week old).
The other thing I think they will throw in, is this: Due to a previous drop in workload, we agreed to change my hours from 5 days in the office, to 4 days - 2 in the office and 2 from home (to save travelling to the office to do work that can easily be done remotely). It was all informal, no changes to contract, so I knew it could all change back anytime. Now the work requires 5 days in the office, possibly 1 at home instead. They will use the fact that the hours are now different to what I was on before I left, and say that it's a different job (the lady covering me said as much). If it truly needs 5 days in the office then I will do it, it's not me saying I can't change back, it will be them saying it.
I don't want to pre-empt this and contact my manager to find out what's going on, as from what I have been told today I think I wasn't meant to know, and it may not happen for some months. I just want to be ready for when (if) I get the word that they 'no longer need me', because if the role of X still exists, although slightly different to before, then that's still MY role and I do want to return to work (I have to for financial reasons, and wouldn't get anything on similar pay for similar hours).
There is no reason for them to want to get rid of me, up until I left I was regularly getting daily praise for what I did. But my replacement does things for my manager that I wouldn't (he really wanted a PA, and one that would run personal errands in the work day, whereas I couldn't spare the time from my actual work to do things like collect his dry cleaning, buy gifts for people, research things he wanted to do/buy etc). This isn't all the extra work she has taken on, but will be the one thing that makes him prefer her to me, as he likes 'power'.
PS, when I took on this role, the lady before me had been 'made redundant' in a similar way, and I basically was given most of her work and told to add some stuff to it and they changed the job title a little bit, but essentially it was the same role. She left before I started, but I know this was wrong of them to make her redundant as the role was still there. They are not great employers!
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Comments
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They possibly aren't great employers. But this is all speculation on your part, based on the unofficial ramblings of a jealous colleague who wants your job and has a vested interest in making you think you aren't welcome back at work. Not exactly much to go on when put that way, is there?
My advice would be to sit tight, and do nothing and say nothing. You are on maternity leave. When you get to the point of exercising your right to return to work you do so as normal, assuming all things are as they should be. Then if there is an issue with that you tackle the issues as they arise, and based on facts and not jealousy or speculation. If you pre-empt the discussion you risk opening cans of worms - your don't want to even be thinking that the job might be different or they may want to make you redundant. Leave no openings for any such discussion. Your job exists, you are going back to it, and that is the end of the matter. If it comes back any differently, it is the employers problem to raise matters (and theirs if they fall foul of the law as a result).0 -
Thanks, yes I do see what you are saying. I am going to assume the role is mine to return to and see what happens.
I know it all sounds paranoid and not much to go on, but tbh I thought this would happen even before I heard from her, as I said I know what they are like and the little things that happen when someone is on their way out.0 -
I am sure you are not paranoid. But there really isn't anything to be gained by doing something based on speculation and gossip. Enough time to worry when, and if, something real happens. Until then just enjoy your time with baby - you won't get so much "undivided attention" time again for some time to come - if ever - so don't let this spoil your time and drag you into worrying about what hasn't happened.0
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So let me get this, your going to believe the word of someone who wants your job?
It sounds to me like she could be orchestrating the whole thing, maybe even telling the bosses things behind your back and on your behalf!!!I don't want to pre-empt this and contact my manager to find out what's going on, as from what I have been told today I think I wasn't meant to know, and it may not happen for some months.
This is exactly what I would do! I'd set the cat amongst the pigeons and scupper her chances of messing with your life!!
She's playing the 3rd party game, both you and your boss are hearing what she wants you both to hear. It's selective Chinese whispers and she's pulling the strings!
And your not supposed to know? well doesn't that set alarm bells ringing? why would she tell you something if it risks her job??? your not even friends!
I'd go to my boss and say "xyz told me this and said I wasn't supposed to know, but I'm worried and wanted to get things clear".
Take that knife and dig it right on in there! she'll be lucky to have a job this time next week!
This annoys me because i've seen and experienced similar situations before, a certain person playing people against each other (me and a colleaugue), until one day I decided to just go and speak to my colleaugue and tell them everything i'd heard.... We swapped stories, shook hands and vowed never to listen the scheming b*tch ever again.
Don't speak to this woman, don't listen to her gossip and don't give her ANYTHING! deal only with and keep contact with your boss!
The more information she has, the more believable she came make her stories and the more dangerous she becomes.“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”
<><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/0 -
Strider590 wrote: »So let me get this, your going to believe the word of someone who wants your job?
It sounds to me like she could be orchestrating the whole thing, maybe even telling the bosses things behind your back and on your behalf!!!
This is exactly what I would do! I'd set the cat amongst the pigeons and scupper her chances of messing with your life!!
She's playing the 3rd party game, both you and your boss are hearing what she wants you to hear. It's selective Chinese whispers!
Don't speak to this woman, don't give her ANYTHING! deal only with and keep contact with your boss!
This was my immediate reaction too but, I do see what the others are saying. I don't know really, guess it is your call as you have spoken to her and getting your gut feeling from a conversation - her comments did seem fairly leading though.0 -
I'd either keep schtum; it could all fall down around her ears in time - or call HR and ask why you are being contacted during your maternity leave by someone other than HR or your manager....for no reason other than to tell you that you will not be needed at the end of your maternity which of course as they know, would be illegal.If you haven't got it - please don't flaunt it. TIA.0
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Why was the colleague calling you, is it normal for that to happen0
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Hi, I just wanted to add that both opinions have very valid points so far. If you elect to go with saying nothing, make sure you keep a record of any contact you have with this person. Include date, time, what she said, and anything she claims others have said. This way if anything does happen in several months time you will have it all to hand, word for word.Still looking for the plot...... Anyone seen it???0
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I can see what you are all saying, not to listen to what she was saying as of course she would be orchestrating the whole thing. But she wasn't telling me things outright, apart from that she had taken on extra work and that some was being outsourced. It was reading between the lines of other things, that led to me being more worried - as her just wanting me not to return so she could have my job was expected, I am not worried about that in itself.
She actually called me to ask me how to find certain information and who to contact for some things etc that only I would know, so she could not ask anyone else. I don't have a problem with her contacting me, I'd rather her do that and me be able to tell her the right way to do something, than her guess and get it all wrong and then I'd have to sort problems out when I returned. I then asked how things were going and she updated me on the changes to the role.
Now, some of the things she was asking, she might not have known what it was all going to lead to, just that I know when someone is on their way out, the head office asks for certain things to be done, information gathered etc, and she was calling to ask where she find some of this and how to do some things. I know from having to do it before what it all means, but she probably doesn't and is just following orders for this particular task.
As for saying I don't think I was meant to know, I don't mean she 'accidently' dropped it into the conversation, I mean that I don't think the management thought she would call me to ask how to do these things, as they would know that I would be able to work out what was going on from what she was being asked to do - hope that bit makes sense!
Edit - I think what is happening here are two different things:
1 - she wants my job and is trying to dissuade me from returning.
2 - my employers have seperately decided they don't want me back, going by what she was asking me for.0 -
She actually called me to ask me how to find certain information and who to contact for some things etc that only I would know, so she could not ask anyone else. I don't have a problem with her contacting me, I'd rather her do that and me be able to tell her the right way to do something, than her guess and get it all wrong and then I'd have to sort problems out when I returned. I then asked how things were going and she updated me on the changes to the role.
oh i understand, i thoguht she called to tell you the was hers,0
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