Yesterday in my regularly scheduled "one on one" meeting with my manager I was ambushed not only by my manager but his manager (a member of the executive team) and an human resources person. This was quite out of the ordinary to say the least.
The first thought that popped into my head was "Oh no is the company downsizing? And/Or Am I being let go for some reason?"
I was immediately reassured that was not the case and not to panic. But what followed never the less did incite some stress/anxiety/panic.
I was told my manager was moving on to a new position in a different company - which was a little unexpected given how (relatively) new my manager was to his position (less than 2 years). On one hand I was happy for him, but on the other hand I was a little upset - maybe even angry. (We've had a great working relationship which I am sad to lose).
At the same time I was told we were undergoing an re-organization. Two of my colleagues who were formerly peers were being promoted. One of them would now be my direct manager. Effectively I would no longer report to my manager's successor but an intermediary who was formerly a peer.
As if that wasn't enough I was next told, that two people that formerly reported to me would be now reporting directly to my new supervisor. Effectively cutting my team in half.
This was framed in a way such that I was told this was not a demotion but rather an effort to redistribute work and alleviate some of the workload that had been placed on me.
To be fair my workload has been unreasonable and my work/life balance has suffered as a result. But I can't help but feel like I have been demoted by this intermediary management layer being introduced between me and my current supervisor.
I feel slighted, and again angry, upset and worried about the future. I've maintained complete composure and avoided expressing any concerns about this change. Mostly out of shock but also out of fear of saying the wrong thing and/or alienating anyone.
Obviously I don't want to start off on bad terms with my new manager and anything I say to either my current boss who is departing (or my bosses boss) could be leaked back to my new boss. It will be awkward and challenging enough to report to a former peer without souring our working relationship before we even start.
I should say I generally have an ok/good working relationship with my former colleague (although I've thought that about other peers and then been surprised when I discovered accidentally that sentiment wasn't reciprocal.)
I'm also worried that the new person hired to fill my prior boss's roll won't have the same chemistry and working relationship. And honestly I no longer even report to that person. Effectively I feel I lack even less influence to affect change or have autonomy than I did previously.
I really do like my company - BUT - all of these changes have caused me a fair bit of distress and unsettled me. I've immediately started updating my resume, and changed my LinkedIn status to "open for work".
Is this overreacting? Quite possibly. But being able to take some action made me feel less helpless even if was mostly symbolic.
But I am very much torn. Am I best to wait it out and see how things progress?. Or is preparing to leave myself just a prudent/sensible precaution? Would it be out of line to casually ask my current boss if he has any openings in his new company to keep me in mind?
Does anyone have any advice for me in terms weather I should just sit tight and wait, or should I be more direct and express my concerns to either to my old manager (who is departing), my new manager, or my new managers, managers, manager?
Any feedback or advise would be grateful.