Work related vent

[disneyquestions]

You take a job as a data entry person / secretary at a law firm. The firm is pretty big, 5 offices, but the part you are in is just data entry and marketing, nothing to do with legal stuff. There are 2 other employees that have been there longer.

Fast forward, you have now been at the firm for almost 2 years, and gotten promotions (not promotions with a title, just more responcibilty and a few raises) through that time, while the other have stayed the same (don't know about their raises, but no more responcibilities added), and even been demoted. And not really demoted... its complicated here! It started out as one business which one of the original employees was here for alone. Then she had to help with the other business once that got bigger, but now that I'm here, shes been put back to where she started. She lost the office she got when the other law business started, and is now back at the receptionist desk.

I'm now getting bored with my position, so I tell the boss if she has anything else with more responcibility, like a case manager position, I would like the be concidered for it (along with what I'm already doing). A day later, the two bosses take me into the office and tell me they are going to do just that. It will take time, they have to find a replacement for me, and train me as a case manager (which I already know a good amout about already). I'm super happy about this. My hard work, coming in early, and staying late is being recognized.

Just over a week after that, the other employee (who has been there longer than me) asks to be transfered to another office (shes driving about an hour right now, and there are offices right next to her house). They tell her OK, and get her replacement first, and grant her wish first. I'm still there waiting. No one has been interviewed for my position, and they have said that they HAVE TO find the other girls replacement first. I don't understand why... I know its going to happen, but I'm just frustrated that I'm still here. Waiting.


ETA - A little over a month ago, one of the owners called me up at home to talk about how one of the other employees was late, and she didn't put it on her time sheet (padding her time sheet I guess). She said that she needs someone (me)to be the manager, and watch out for that kind of stuff. That she sees a lot of herself in me because I do come in early every day, and stay late, keep an eye on everything and get everything done, etc. And now, ever since that conversation, it seems like everything she talked to me about, never really happened. This phone call happened right before she went away for 2 weeks, so I expected there to be a meeting where she would say something like "I'm going away, and Disneyquestions is the manager now, so everything needs to go through her."

 

[ols386]

It's been my experience that sometimes these things can take awhile. I understand what you're saying, but management must have thought the other situation with the person transferring to another location, and finding a replacement for that position, took priority over getting your replacement, for whatever reason. There may be unforeseen reasons that you are not aware of.

I say hang-in there, and be patient. It will probably happen, just not as quickly as you would like.

 

[cabanafrau]

Not really sure I understand, but what I gleaned makes me think the other employee might be a bit more entitled to have her situation sorted out before yours.

 

[tlbwriter]

That is frustrating. Some thoughts...

Any chance that you are going to be harder to replace than the other employee? Or that they really needed someone in the other office and that's why her move happened more quickly? Or that they were just ready to get her out of this office? Do they feel guilty about the other employee being pulled up and then put back down, so they granted her wish quickly to make up for that?

How long ago did you have the talk with your bosses? Have they mentioned it since then?

 

[disneyquestions]

That is frustrating. Some thoughts...

Any chance that you are going to be harder to replace than the other employee? Or that they really needed someone in the other office and that's why her move happened more quickly? Or that they were just ready to get her out of this office? Do they feel guilty about the other employee being pulled up and then put back down, so they granted her wish quickly to make up for that?

How long ago did you have the talk with your bosses? Have they mentioned it since then?

I'm not good at explaining things with typing, so I'll try and correct this! Sorry!!

The only thing my replacement will be doing is the data entry, so typing... I'm a fast typist, but I dont' think its that hard to replace. I will still be doing all the harder stuff.
They don't NEED anyone in the other office. The other employee used to live down here, and thats why she worked here - she never worked in the other offices. She left her house and moved up there (just a coiencidence that its near the other offices really) for personal reasons about a year ago. When that happened, she told the owners that she was going to leave here at some point unless they have her a raise because of the cost of gas. They understood, but said no raise and good luck finding a new job. She didn't leave.
And finally, no, it hasn't been forgotten about my position change. Its talked about a good amount. Its just been posponed....

 

[tlbwriter]

Well, if they're still talking about it, the next time they bring it up ask if they have any kind of timetable in mind. Hang in there!

 

[wvjules]

First, just because it is driving me nuts...it is responsibility not responcibility.

Second, it sounds like they feel the need to fill that other position first. She has also been there longer so her request is going to be filled before yours. That is logical to me. They said your new job will take time. How long has it been? Have you been waiting for months or is this all recent? Shifting jobs and responsibilities will probably take an office some time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The part about "it's going to take time": no, it's not hard to find someone to do data entry, and yes, you 'know' a lot about being a case manager. But knowing a lot about the job isn't the same as being trained for it. Plus, while you profess to know the situation in the other office, it may not be as you think.


It's entirely possible someone from that office left or relocated, so they can justify moving your coworker and hiring a replacement. If there isn't an opening for a case manager at this time, odds are the budget can't justify promoting you. When there is an opening, everything will fall into place.

 

[Jestocost]

Maybe she has a specific issue about which you are unaware that requires her to make the move soon? Maybe they are happy to be getting her out of the office and want to make it happen ASAP?

Plenty of possible explanations.

 

[Carnie]

ConSidered as well.

 

[disneyquestions]

First, just because it is driving me nuts...it is responsibility not responcibility.

Second, it sounds like they feel the need to fill that other position first. She has also been there longer so her request is going to be filled before yours. That is logical to me. They said your new job will take time. How long has it been? Have you been waiting for months or is this all recent? Shifting jobs and responsibilities will probably take an office some time.

I was a little to lazy for spell check today....

Anyway, yes, shes has been here longer (About 11 months longer), and they also understand the position she is in - shes spending so much $$$ on gas getting here, and its just to much for her. On the other hand, her moving offices is going to actually cost them money. They have to hire someone to do her job here, while she will still be doing part of her job up there (while taking on other responcibilities). They didn't ask her to move, so its not like they need it.
As far as how long its been - it hasn't been that long, just under a month I'd say. I'm wouldn't be overly upset if I saw them interviewing candidates, and being practive, but they are not. They interviewed for her position, but not mine. But again, I don't know what they are doing while they are not here... maybe they are interviewing... Or maybe they are talking about sending me to one of the other offices (where the "real work" is done).
I've been hinting about that for a while too (Not to the office shes going to, another one). They are SO unorganized up there! Their idea of customer service is a joke. I have people coming into my office complaining every day that they call and call and call, and get no where (the calls go to another office, not here). They are put on hold for 20 minutes at a time, and then go into VM - Never to get a call back... They come here, and I straighten it out for them 1-2-3.

 

[WDSearcher]

First, just because it is driving me nuts...it is responsibility not responcibility.

Thank you! (Was driving me nuts too. ) Also, it's "considered", not "concidered".

To the OP ... the only way to know why they're doing the other one first is to ask. Unless you do that, you'll just have to wait and wonder.

If the other person does have seniority, that's likely your answer. They're filling that position first because that person was here first. Very simple.

While I'm sure it's frustrating, you have several choices (some are very extreme, but they ARE choices you have) --

• You can ask why and either accept the answer or not.
• You can tell them you are frustrated with their decision and possibly put your own job change in jeopardy.
• You can be patient and go the "team player" route, waiting for them to fill the other job, with the hopes that you will be rewarded for your patience.
• You can threaten to quit if they don't do your job change immediately, as you'd hoped.
• You can ask if there is anything you can do to help move the process along.

It certainly doesn't sound like they aren't still going to move you into the position you want ... they just have a longer timeline. I'm sure that they also have other things on their plates that they have to deal with too. This is VERY important to YOU, but it's one of many things that are important to them.

 

[dis-happy]

Office politics? Maybe they are all breathing a sigh of relief that the person who has been there the longest will move to another office before you are formally placed into a higher position. I'd give it more time and continue to show them how much effort you put into your job.

How is business overall? I know all the law school grads are complaining that it's difficult to find jobs. They might be playing with the budget a bit before they have to pay you more.

 

[singleinthe city]

First, just because it is driving me nuts...it is responsibility not responcibility.

that isn't the only misspelled word in her post. There are actually too many to point out. This may sound harsh, but based on the poor communication skills demostrated here, it appears that maybe the original poster isn't qualified for anything more than data entry.

Second, it sounds like they feel the need to fill that other position first. She has also been there longer so her request is going to be filled before yours. That is logical to me. They said your new job will take time. How long has it been? Have you been waiting for months or is this all recent? Shifting jobs and responsibilities will probably take an office some time.

There is no pressing need for either request to be granted. Sometimes life just isn't fair.

My suggestion to the OP is to start on her transition plan. If she really wants to start doing X job, then start arranging things in her day so that she can have time to learn the skills needed. Continue talking to the manager about how to handle the transition. OP, do you currently know someone in your network of business associates outside of your firm that would be qualified for the position? Have you reviewed your current firm's online job postings to determine if they are actively hiring for your current position? You mentioned that you discussed transitioning to X position, but do you know if there is an opening at your firm for another person in X position? Maybe you misunderstood and that they would help you move to X position if it becomes available in the future.

 

[disneyquestions]

The part about "it's going to take time": no, it's not hard to find someone to do data entry, and yes, you 'know' a lot about being a case manager. But knowing a lot about the job isn't the same as being trained for it. Plus, while you profess to know the situation in the other office, it may not be as you think.


It's entirely possible someone from that office left or relocated, so they can justify moving your coworker and hiring a replacement. If there isn't an opening for a case manager at this time, odds are the budget can't justify promoting you. When there is an opening, everything will fall into place.

Like I said in the original post, they already had a meeting with me (called me into the office) and said they are making me a case manager. Its been discussed several times, so I don't think anything has changed. And when I said that I know alot about the job, I do. Have I been formally trained by this company for it? No. But the other case managers screw up enough, and I've fixed it enough, to know how to do it.

Maybe she has a specific issue about which you are unaware that requires her to make the move soon? Maybe they are happy to be getting her out of the office and want to make it happen ASAP?

Plenty of possible explanations.

LOL - Shes a good worker, and a good person. No one (as far as I know) has any complaints about her, so I don't think they are trying to push her out of this office. And the issue is the travel time. I think they really feel bad about her having to drive an hour to and from work. I understand that, but it still upsets me a little that my request is somewhat being over looked durring this time.

 

[ols386]

Op, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't say anything to your management. They will advise you of what's going on and when it's going to happen when they are ready to share that information with you.

I would continue doing your current job, and if time allows, make an effort to try to start learning as much as you can about the promotion job. In other words, take the initiative to start learning about the job (maybe you are already doing that, and if so, I would definitely continue).

I know it's hard when you are anticipating a promotion to another job, but there really isn't anything you can do to speed-up the process.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I'm in a similar situation. Been with the same company for 12 years. 18 months ago I got moved to a new department because they were having an emergency and needed all hands on deck. I made sure my boss knew I didn't like this and didn't want it to be permanent. I heard things like "6 months".

Since then, one person in the department left for another job, and one got reassigned to a different project. I'm still stuck here. I've been told they know I should be moved to need to be able to find someone to replace me in this department basically. So I wait.

 

[lillygator]

Yours isn't a lateral move, it's a promotion, which sounds a lot different than what your co-worker has requested.

 

[disneyquestions]

Op, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't say anything to your management. They will advise you of what's going on and when it's going to happen when they are ready to share that information with you.

I would continue doing your current job, and if time allows, make an effort to try to start learning as much as you can about the promotion job. In other words, take the initiative to start learning about the job (maybe you are already doing that, and if so, I would definitely continue).

I know it's hard when you are anticipating a promotion to another job, but there really isn't anything you can do to speed-up the process.

I know your 100% right. I'm not going to go crying to my boss about it - I mean, what am I going to say "Wah - the other employee is getting her wish before me!" That won't look to good! If it goes on for another month or two, I will ask how the interviewing process is going, to kind of say "What the heck is going on?!?!" but in a nicer way!
The thing that kills me is I, in a round about way, asked if there would be a promotion with this, and in a round about way, they said no. I've gotten so many more responsibilities here, and not much more $$$. I can't complain because in this economy.... I'm lucky to have a job. But the pay started super low, and isn't getting up there very fast.