Employment dillema

[Schizm]

So, last night after work, my boss called me up with news. She asked if I was sitting down first.

Turns out, the center leadership wants me to take a role as an acting supervisor, for a month and a half, starting Sunday. There are some pros and cons to the whole thing, and a fairly serious office political component that my boss dumped on me while she was informing me of this last night.

First, the salary pro/con. Its about a 12% pay raise for the duration. However, it is a salaried position, and i would probably be working enough hours that it would end up being an hourly pay cut... though my paycheck would be a bit larger. It would also bump me into the next tax bracket.

Second, I can't take it if it would force me toreport to a specific associate director, as a representative on that ad team is my girlfriend. She would have to move teams away from the supervisor she likes, and while she has offered, i find this unacceptable.

Third, my boss told me last night that if I took the position, she would only release me on the condition that I was still available to help in the execution and planning of the center Christmas party - which is a major event when you are dealing with 1300 employees. This would essentially be in addition to the supervisor duties i would already be responsible for, adding additional workload. Because I know my boss is vindictive and holds grudges, I couldn't take the temporary position and say no to the responsibilities she is addng to it - I would essentially be returning from the acting role to a hostile workplace.

Fourth, my daughter has just adapted to the current schedule, and it is really good for us to be able to spend time together. Any schedule I would have as a supervisor would be significantly worse than what I have now. Not only would this effect my daughter, it would screw with my ability to spend time with the girlfriend... which is already limited by her crazy schedule.

Fifth, If I turn down the acting supervisor offer, it is potentially career limiting in that I will not be offered opportunities like this again for some time.

I am really not sure what to do here, I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. Limit my career, get fucked on my time, or piss off my boss (who happens to be married to a member of upper leadership who is offering this opportunity).

[The Winslow]

How much time were you given to think about it?

[TiQuinn]

Personally, I'd take the job. They're probably offering it to you for a reason..namely, they think you can do the job and want to give you an opportunity to show this. Number two, your boss is asking you to handle some of your current workload also. That's typical. Becoming a supervisor means more work, not less. Third, your girlfriend and you daughter will adjust. You're right: if you choose not to, you are sending a clear sign that you are comfortable with where you are at, barring leaving, and so you'll probably not get more opportunities to advance. It's up to you to determine if you really want to advance or not.

BTW, what is the impetus for this "temporary" position? Did someone leave? Did they say why it's temporary and why they want you to fill it?

[Critter]

You're right: if you choose not to, you are sending a clear sign that you are comfortable with where you are at, barring leaving, and so you'll probably not get more opportunities to advance. It's up to you to determine if you really want to advance or not.

This.

Take the temporary promotion, it opens the stage for further opportunities assuming they like the work you do. The additional workload they may be piling on you might somewhat testing you to see if you can and if you're willing to put up with that.

BTW, what is the impetus for this "temporary" position? Did someone leave? Did they say why it's temporary and why they want you to fill it?

Is it a seasonal thing?

[Name Lips]

From what I understand, it's a position from which they hire real managers. They promote people into the position, and use their performance as a gauge to see if they can handle being an actual, full-time manager.

[Schizm]

So, in terms of hy its open, I don't know. There are over nintey supervisors in the building, so someone is always out on leave or medical for one reason or another. To be clear: what my boss is asking of me is by far outside the norm in this situation, and is a flat out violation of company policy in terms of ethics and integrity. It is not an additional test of ability in any way, shape, or form - no other person stepping into the supervisor role has this kind of shit laid on them as a condition, in my company. When you are released to a new role, that is that, and your old boss's responsibility is to cope without you. Period. You can answer questions for your replacement, but you're not expected to continue doing that job until it is filled.

[Schizm]

How much time were you given to think about it?

It hasn't been actually offered. My boss gave me her little heads up last night, with the line of "[our associate director] will call you tomorrow about it.

[TiQuinn]

Does this happen a lot, this temporary supervisor stuff? Being released from a role when you are moving on to a new position permanently is one thing, but when you are expected back is another entirely.

I think you need to have an honest talk with the associate director about the position, why its temporary, what's been asked of you in the meantime, and what it means for you in the future. If you can't get good answers on that, then it sounds like you need to decline. You certainly don't seem enthused.

[Schizm]

Yes, acting roles happen a lot, but usually for people who are in easily replaced roles (floor representatives or new hire support ). For someone in the operations department, they are generally not offered due to the nature of our roles in operations. There isn't anyone to replace us. Howver, I can say with certainty that when I moved into operations, the person I took over from was not expected to keep filling in for the two months between when he promoted and when I was hired... as evidenced by the tremendous backlog of work I had to catch up on.

[TiQuinn]

But that sounds like the move where you came into Operations was permanent. Assuming the other person moved to a different position or department, there may not have been need to have him do extra work.

All that said, you need to talk to your boss and the director about the position as well as what you'd be expected to do in your current role. If its uncommon for folks in operations to have this opportunity, you may want to look at this as a compliment and work with them to figure out the best way to fill the role and not leave your boss shorthanded.

[Schizm]

Oh, and to be clear, when I say that I will Ger a significantly worse schedule with major impacts to my child, I mean that we are talking a start time of anywhere from 2pm to 7pm depending on who is out, possible split days off, definitely no weekend days off, possibly 4x10 shift with those start times.

I am a single parent, and those shifts would mean that my kiddo would have to essentially be living at merak's house.

[TiQuinn]

Hell, man, if it's that bad for you, don't do it.

[Schizm]

I am strongly leaning that direction. Just waiting for the call, and to see what the associate director offers.

[Janos]

You've already mostly decided to decline, you just want backup on doing so. And given that, I have to concur because you may end up resenting the promotion otherwise.

I would use the child care excuse. That you can't adjust your schedule to the hours they need. They won't like it, but they're less likely to hold that against you than the alternative.

[Schizm]

Got the call. The schedule offered is 2pm to 11pm with Wednesday and Thursday off. That would leave me seeing my daughter two days a week.

The boss clarified her position, essentially recanting the extra help needed. I have a feeling someone told her unequivocally "no."

I am declining on the grounds of child time. Her mother already abandoned her a year ago, and daddy taking a job that makes more money might help in the longer run, but i do make enough right now, so the emotional component here is too strong to ignore.

Fuck, if this had happened six months ago i would have been ecstatic. my schedule was all fucked up then anyway.. now...

[Lady Fury]

Glad you decided not to take it. I was going to recommend that you thought about it from your daughter's perspective, especially since it is the holiday season.

[Dawnstar]

I see everything worked the way you wanted it to.

[Varaj]

Sounds like you made the right decision. Family is more important than work in almost all cases.