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AIBU?

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Original poster

Setting up for a future without my role

12 replies

peacockshrimp · Yesterday 14:40

Hi All,

I have been very driven in my career for 15+ year. At a level and influence that I’m satisfied with (mostly!).

The issue is: recently I have had visibility of and been asked to join a number of workstreams that essentially set up a future where my and most of my teams remits can be replaced between with AI and smart automation. What can’t be replaced is being challenged by other teams and I can see how in some instances it could make sense. This is not new, but now I feel more vulnerable than I did before (likely as my boss was very unexpectedly let go and the role is being rehired).

Me being me, of course I’m doing a great job of setting that future up in the best way possible 🤦🏻‍♀️

It is possible that I’m also a bit paranoid with all the AI doom and the horrible job losses my circle has been impacted by, but either way I need to take a better position.

The question is.. is there a way to play this smarter? I have been “advised” to flag the level of stress that these workstreams are causing, and how our boss being let go has impacted the team to HR. Is this really a good idea? I’ve always kept my stress levels to myself and trusted few in the past.

YABU - do not talk to HR (or interim leadership) about your concerns. What will happen will happen and this chat will help

YANBU - flag to HR, it might come in handy if your worst fears materialize

OP posts:
Amegaphone · Yesterday 14:42

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notspringingback · Yesterday 14:46

I am also not quite clear; it sounds like you are essentially working towards making yourself (and your team) redundant, which I understand is not ideal.

How will contacting HR help though?

PressedThistle · Yesterday 14:50

I don't understand what you're asking either, maybe you could get ChatGPT to summarise?

Amegaphone · Yesterday 14:52

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Catza · Yesterday 15:06

I suggest you do what everyone else has to - do not assume you are safe, keep abreast of opportunities to diversify, upskill and transition to areas where your expertise will be valuable. And harness the technology available to you to do so.
There is no point in worrying and hoping you won't be affected. We will all be affected by AI in one way or another, you need to figure out how to make it work for you rather than against you.
Your boss has been let go but the role didn't disappear. They are hiring someone else to replace them. Why can't it be you, for example? Clearly, they can't be replaced with smart automation just yet.
Not sure what HR can do for you here.

Original poster
peacockshrimp · Yesterday 15:08

Sorry if the ask wasn’t clear : is there any benefit to speaking up or creating a paper trail? Should I raise the stress, uncertainty and impact of these transformation workstreams with HR and/or interim leadership, particularly following your boss's unexpected departure?
Could documenting your concerns and the impact on you and your team provide some protection if redundancies or restructuring happen later?
Also to clarify - I’m an enthusiastic AI user to automate tasks where possible, my team are trained and upskill other teams too

OP posts:
notspringingback · Yesterday 15:16

peacockshrimp · Yesterday 15:08

Sorry if the ask wasn’t clear : is there any benefit to speaking up or creating a paper trail? Should I raise the stress, uncertainty and impact of these transformation workstreams with HR and/or interim leadership, particularly following your boss's unexpected departure?
Could documenting your concerns and the impact on you and your team provide some protection if redundancies or restructuring happen later?
Also to clarify - I’m an enthusiastic AI user to automate tasks where possible, my team are trained and upskill other teams too

Edited

Can you improve the situation for the workers who are likely to get made redundant? Ie. talk to SLT about a succession plan, redeployment, training etc? If you are a manager then this would seem entirely appropriate. Depending on the scale of AI adoption this may or may not be feasible.

I don't think saying people are stressed is going to make it less likely they are made redundant although as per my previous point, a genuine discussion about succession would presumably make people less stressed! So i would couch it in those terms.

PullingOutHair123 · Yesterday 15:19

Assume this is private sector? I would imagine the roles will be made redundant if you flag you are stressed or not - someone somewhere within the business has a new leaner structure they are aiming to get to, and at the risk of sounding harsh they will push it through regardless of your feelings on the matter.

If you are lucky, keep your head down, and work "for the greater good" you may get a role in the new structure - but from my experience you are either already pencilled in for a role, or they have marked your cards already.

Prettyfan · Yesterday 15:20

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Original poster
peacockshrimp · Yesterday 15:26

Catza · Yesterday 15:06

I suggest you do what everyone else has to - do not assume you are safe, keep abreast of opportunities to diversify, upskill and transition to areas where your expertise will be valuable. And harness the technology available to you to do so.
There is no point in worrying and hoping you won't be affected. We will all be affected by AI in one way or another, you need to figure out how to make it work for you rather than against you.
Your boss has been let go but the role didn't disappear. They are hiring someone else to replace them. Why can't it be you, for example? Clearly, they can't be replaced with smart automation just yet.
Not sure what HR can do for you here.

this is actually a very helpful framing - funnily enough i talk to other people about upskilling and diversifying but clearly when I sense a personal threat, hit the panic button. thank you.

OP posts:
Snorlaxo · Yesterday 15:26

I’m not sure why you think that flagging to HR will help as that’s surely a sector that will succumb to AI too.

How quickly could they introduce AI? If this is a skill that other companies are likely to demand then maybe it could be something that you “do” in different departments/companies?

Would the stress argument be because you want them to pick someone else?

Marmight · Yesterday 15:42

Roles will evolve when using AI.
We are a long way from AI being able to do everything as humans and agents will need to work side by side.
Also given the rising costs of using AI, it may mean that humans are actually cheaper

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