Restructuring at work

[IceandIndigo]

I've been working at my company for 7 years in the same role. I've always had good performance feedback. We are currently having a restructuring of our division, which has been quite stressful, but I've been hoping it might create an opportunity to take on more responsibilities or apply for a more senior role. The new structure hasn't formally been announced but my manager let slip in a meeting that there's going to be a new role created for a person who has previously worked for us as a contractor. This person has a very similar skill set to me, except that they have a qualification/experience in one particular area which I don't have and couldn't practically get. In the conversation my manager was talking about this person in glowing terms and suggesting that they would take on a project which I would normally expect to have led. I can see if they are hired they are going to take a lot of the 'stretch' bits of my existing role, plus any opportunities for future development. I also think there is a possibility I would be asked to report to them. I've been told my role is not being made redundant but my reporting line might change. If I did report to the new person it would effectively be a demotion as my current manager is senior to them.

I feel absolutely gutted and like I'm going to be forced to leave a job I've previously enjoyed. I'm not sure if the new role will be advertised, but if they frame the JD in a way that requires this particular qualification/experience then I wouldn't have any real chance of getting it, and anyway my manager has made it clear who they want to hire. I am also feeling upset that my manager would mention this in front of me without anticipating how I would feel about it, it felt really inappropriate and like they don't value my contribution at all.

I'm really not sure what to do, perhaps it's time to start looking for a new job but I like my current organisation and have been happy there.

You need to have the conversation with your boss about the potential for you to step up and do the role. I'd expect hiring a former contractor to be quite expensive and you'd probably be cheaper to do the role anyway. They would be silly to not at least consider it.

I wouldn't see it as demotion, as your job is staying the same, with the same salary - I assume. It's just your line reporting that's being changed.

However I would be pretty pissed off if the job was given to someone without it being internally advertised first. There's a rule where I work that all vacancies need to be internally advertised before they look outside the company.

Perhaps your current manager "let it slip" because he wants you to ask about it. It's certainly worth having a conversation with him about it.

I don't think they're too worried how much it will cost as the restructuring is removing other senior roles that will free up a lot of money. Saving money has not been stated as a motivation for the restructure, it's all about optimising our ability to deliver.

From what I've been told my job is not staying the same, there will be changes to my job description, I just don't know exactly what yet.

I don't know if the new job will be advertised or not, but I can't see that it makes much difference if they're already decided who they want to offer it to and are able to write the JD in a way that fits that person.

I have been through more restructurings than I care to count. One piece of advice I now give myself and others that are unsettled is to sit tight and let things unfold. There is nothing to suggest that you will be forced to leave, on the contrary you have been told your role is staying, the changes to your role may be positive, the new person coming in could be positive. There is no point in thinking the worst at this stage.

I’m in a similar position as we’re merging with a larger company so where I currently fall under the director I will be bumped down the ranks with a senior manager now above me. We are a smaller team so that role is non existent here. My pay will be the same but currently I deputise for the director when she’s on leave and get board level experience but that will likely go.

I’ve openly made my ambitions clear and have requested mentoring, proactively spoken to stakeholders under the guise of career development but essentially, I’ll be looking at other opportunities as they come up. I actually like my potential new manager so I can see how things go but I have no intention of coasting stuck in the same role.

@Aprilx

I have been through more restructurings than I care to count. One piece of advice I now give myself and others that are unsettled is to sit tight and let things unfold. There is nothing to suggest that you will be forced to leave, on the contrary you have been told your role is staying, the changes to your role may be positive, the new person coming in could be positive. There is no point in thinking the worst at this stage.

I think this is excellent advice. Sometimes through restructures you just have to play the game a bit and even if it's not what you would do in the same scenario, sometimes the best move politically is being supportive of the change (at least publically, think what you like privately).

I'd add that as well as seeing how things play out at your current company I'd keep my eyes open for any other opportunities that come up externally. I know it's hard to feel 'pushed' but after 7 years it sounds like it's time for you to be looking for a new challenge anyway, yes it would be great if that could happen at current company but life doesn't always work out that neatly, and at least it sounds as though you have the benefit of time on your side, you can really look around at what will be best for you...

Do have a conversation with your manager where you make it known you had hoped the restruture would lead to more challenges/development for you not less, as others have said even if they are set on hiring this contractor doesn't make it an absolute given that's what will happen in exactly the way you are envisioning, maybe the contractor's salary expectations are way above their threshold, maybe they don't want a permanent role, maybe it won't work out, who knows?

Thanks to everyone who commented. We're expecting the formal details of the new structure to be confirmed shortly. I'm trying not to think the worst but to be honest the whole process has really knocked my confidence.

@m0therofdragons that does sound like a very similar situation bar the merger bit. Like you it's those opportunities to 'act up' and the exposure to senior decision-making that I am most concerned about losing.