Conference 7.286::digital

       
       
       	Rather than leave it all up to speculation, I'd go start asking
       	some people some very direct questions. (professionally of course)
       
       	Good luck
       
       						mike
       
       	BTW, I think your manager was unfairly "scaring" you..

    This presents an OPPORTUNITY.  You can now go to your manager's
    manager and get the full story.  If you are qualified - go for your
    old manager's job!
    
    The loss of a manager does not normally mean that a whole
    department/unit is to be disolved.  How many people worked for this
    manager, what did they do, etc....
    
    From a pessimistic point of view - maybe he/she saw the handwriting
    on the wall?
    
    Best bet - use ODP and get the true story!
    
    	-Barry-
    

    
    
    I'd be interested in knowing if the boss's new position was a promotion
    or lateral move.
    
    Was the move made by on his own, or was he requested to find a new job?
    
    
    If it was requested of him, he might be just trying to stir up the
    doggie pooh..............
    
    
    
    Lou

    Now that you've had time to digest what your boss told you and you have
    some concerns, you should go back to your boss and get some clarification 
    on those things that bother you.  It looks like to me that your boss is 
    trying to do you a favor.  Don't panic and immediately run to his boss 
    with this info because you could get both of you in trouble.  Your boss 
    may have info that can't be directly given to you and he has tried to 
    give you some advice.  Ask your boss if he thinks his boss can provide 
    you some clarification or reassurance if he can't.  Only escalate the
    ODP if you're not happy with the answers and think this is sour grapes.

    I agree with -.1.  Talk to your manager again.  Tell him that his
    previous conversation really threw you and that you had confusing
    and alarming reactions -- that you sort of got the impression that
    you were in trouble.  Be candid.  (I'm assuming you have a solid
    enough relationship here so you can get away with this.)  Let him
    know that you need more information as to the status of your ongoing
    position and whether his suggestion of looking externally was based
    on something in particular or only on the general hiring freeze
    situation.  (If he's easily intimidated by these goings on or is
    cynical about the health of the company, maybe that's just "what
    HE would do if he were you", and not relevant to you.)
    
    If he doesn't clear up your concerns, you could also talk to your
    PSA before going the Open Door route.
    
    To the best of my knowledge, DEC still is not laying anyone off
    or forcing terminations, although there is definitely a freeze and
    approvals for new hires are supposed to be matched in certain ratios
    to terminations (voluntary and otherwise).  Lateral moves are harder,
    but not impossible, in case you do want to go that route.  But if
    your group IS being disbanded, you become a prime candidate for
    lateral move by policy, so don't panic.  (I suspect you would have
    heard definite news to that effect if it were true.)
    
    I suspect that your boss didn't realize what impact he was having
    -- UNLESS you were on probation or something like that already for
    other reasons, and if that were the case you probably wouldn't have
    written the note because you would have been expecting that
    possibility.  So if you talk to him you may find everything is ok
    but that he thinks changes in the company COULD impact you so you
    should be alerted, or something mundane like that.
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Sherry

    I witnessed a situation several years ago, which may or may not be
    similar to yours.  But I think it's worth relating, just so you can
    decide for yourself.
    
    A manager had been in place for about two years.  His manager informed
    him that he was being removed from the management position and put in a
    technical position.  This took an immediate and heavy toll on his ego.
    
    The manager immediately called his people in and told them they had to
    start looking for jobs because their group was being disbanded. 
    Nothing was further from the truth.  No one had told him that; he just
    assumed it in his extremely emotional, upset state.
    
    The entire group was extremely upset for about two days before the
    manager's manager heard what had happened and called a meeting of the
    group to assure them their jobs weren't going away.  A lot of people
    got very upset for nothing.
    
    A carefully worded conversation with your boss's boss might enable you
    to get a better picture of what's going on without limiting either your
    career or that of your manager.
    
    Good luck!
    
    							Pat

    .5 Has the right answer here.  Check it out with your manager BEFORE
    you go any higher.
    
    Everyone knows - or says they know - that perception is more
    influential than reality.  You may be the victim of bad perceptions.
    It may be that upper management does not like you or your performance,
    but your own manager, being closer to the situation does appreciate
    your contribution and has been shielding you from arrows from above.
    
    If that is the case, you will certainly be thanking him poorly for
    his past help and present concern by using the Open Door.  And,
    it will get you no farther ahead than you now are.  You may need
    to do some political manoeuvering and you'll need whatever friends
    you have.
    
    Step cautiously through this field.  The patties seem fresh.
             
    
    Don
    

    Thanks to all of you for the suggestions to my base note.  I have 
    answered some of your questions below.  
    
    Re: 1
    	    I am presently working in a sales organization.
    
    Re: 2
    	    The scare tactics worked!  However, I've learned not to 
            scare so easily. :-)
    
    Re: 3
    	    Technically, I am not qualified for my manager's job, I am 
            his secretary.  
    
    	    At the present time, there are 5 sales representatives, 2 
            sales executives and myself reporting directly to this 
            manager.  Since I had asked for this to be an anonymous 
            entry, I cannot get into specifics as to what we do as an 
            organization.  When this "sticky issue" has been resolved, 
            I will gladly elaborate.
    
    	    As for the handwriting on the wall, one is never sure.
    
    Re: 4
    	    This position is a promotion and the decision was made by 
            him, or so I was told.  I know that there has been a  
            numerous amount of complaints filed against this manager in 
            reference to his work ethics.  Only one employee had taken 
            advantage of the ODP.  Unfortunately, this person resigned 
            shortly thereafter to work for a competitor; when this was 
            done, the investigation into all allegations had come to an 
            abrupt halt.
    
    Re: 5
    	    I've digested what my boss has told to me, and after a 
            numerous amount of Rolaids, have set up a meeting to ask 
            further questions and get some clarification as to what was 
            stated to me previously.  I have not, and will not, go to 
            his manager until this meeting has taken place.  If my 
            questions have not been answered satisfactorily, I will 
            then take the next step.
    
    Re: 6
    	    Unfortunately, as I had explained to the monitor before my 
            base note was posted, I work in a field office and we do 
            not have a personnel office; my PSA is located some 200 
            miles away.
    
    	    There is nothing available locally for a lateral move or 
            advancement.  I have considered relocating, but DEC will 
            not assist "clerical" employees wishing to relocate.
    
    Re: 7
    	    Thanks for relating that situation.  As I stated above, if 
            the outcome of the meeting between myself and my manager 
            is not to my satisfaction, I will then take the proper 
            steps to elevate this situation.
    
    Re: 8
    	    As for my performance being perceived by upper management 
            as a poor one, it is quite the opposite.  I'm note sure if 
            you know how the "clerical" personnel are rated in DEC on 
            their performance reviews.  However, I will tell you that 
            my current manager has rated me an overall "1" for the past 
            2 reviews.  My performance and attitude has, in my opinion, 
            only improved with the additional responsibilities that I 
            have requested and have been placed upon me that are 
            outside of the "norm" of the secretarial field.  This has 
            also been mentioned on numerous occasions to me by my DM 
            and his staff.  I don't mean to toot my own horn, but maybe 
            it's time that I start?
    
    	    As for political maneuvering, I'm not even sure I now how 
            to play the game.  But, I *AM* considering calling upon the 
            "friends" that I have made during my years at DEC.
    
    Again, thanks to all of you for offering me your advice and 
    suggestions.  And thank you, Steve, for posting my note.  I will 
    keep you updated as to the outcome of my upcoming meeting and to 
    any new developments that may arise.
    
    

    re .9
    
    Based on your additional information, I have a couple of other
    suggestions for you --  assuming your meeting is going well with your
    boss -- ask him for a written recommendation and/or if he will be a
    reference for you.  If you trust him to be the latter, ask him what
    he will tell anyone who calls and asks "What is your most serious
    drawback?" or some similar question.  Minor negatives help establish
    the credability of the reference, e.g. hated typing, loved word
    processing.
    
    Excellent secretaries are treasures and you should have no trouble
    finding a job.  If your location turns out not to have anything available
    for you, just take your time (look at many positions) and find the right 
    fit.

    Just a wild stab in the dark, but my thoughts are:
    
    Your boss is reacting poorly to the sales reorganizations that will
    take place over the next many months (that is, h is drawing conclusions
    on what's going to happen to his sales unit on VERY limited
    information)
    
    The number of sales people you support will still need your support no
    matter what changes take place in their "reporting structure".  
    
    The fact that your  nearest personnel representative is 200 miles
    away indicates that you are in what we field people call "a remote
    office". The input I get on changes in sales indicates that remote
    offices could be the ones LEAST affected by change. This is a complex
    topic and my fingers don't have the energy to explain it tonight.
                                                       

    GOOD LUCK!!!!
    
    /se