Advice needed, thrown a curveball at work

[constantlylactating]

Hi all, I will try to be succinct but it's a long one.

I have been with my current employer a few years, overall very happy. At each annual review we have discussed progression for me (currently manage a small team).

Back in January I was told there would be a new position created between my manager and I. JD showed a big crossover with my role, but a good few things beyond my experience too. My initial thoughts were that it wasn't the right move for me.

My manager very strongly encouraged me to apply, asking me several times if I had spoken to the (external) recruiter.

Eventually I decided to apply, partly because I had mentioned progression for several years at this point, I figured I probably should just apply.

My experience with the recruiter was awful. He ignored me for a week, gave me 1 hour's notice for a teams call, and then was so horrifically rude. He asked me why I was bothering to apply, he had several applicants already that were more qualified than me etc. Picked apart my cv, and told me to 'take a long hard look at myself' before applying.

I asked to speak to my manager for clarification on a couple of points (recruiter said it was fully office based, i am hybrid) and the answer was 'yes i wanted him to be the one to tell you, not me'.

I decided just to send in my application, at this point I just thought i may as well. I didn't get the job (haha!) And I asked my manager for clarity on how my role would change, since there was so much crossover with this new role. I was assured (in writing) that my job, role and responsibilities would not change, I was just getting a new line manager.

Cut to now, new manager has been in place since June. We get on well, they have been a good manager so far and have lots of exciting new ideas for the team.

Over the last 3 months though my job has absolutely changed, I have lost a few 'important' responsibilities, such as budget management and planning.

Today I am told that the person I manage will now be moved under the new manager 'for ease'. Apparently it is no reflection on me or my work. I am really sad/angry/frustrated and can't help feeling that this is all some convoluted demotion.

Does anyone have any advice for me for next steps, or been through anything similar?

Speak to HR next and explain all of the above. I wouldnt be happy with this at all. Are you in a union?

Thank you. We are a small organisation with no dedicated HR so I will speak to the relevant person tomorrow but I don't hold out much hope.

Unfortunately, I would start looking for a new job. This will likely not end well. Either you will get more and more frustrated, or they will manage you out.

Speaking to HR is absolutely pointless - they are there to protect the business. It does seem like you are being pushed out and the question is why. There is also some very poor behaviour from your original manager and the recruiter.
it sounds like if you were to leave you would have a very good case for constructive dismissal. Document everything including all the tasks that were passed to the new manager.
I do feel the easiest and stress free options is either to embrace your revised role or find a new job.

Thank you, I do feel I am being managed out, however I have always had fantastic reviews/appraisals etc, plenty of lovely feedback from colleagues and my new manager has repeatedly given me great feedback.

However, I am the only member of staff working from home. I do wonder if this has anything to do with it. Rather than change my contract to say office based, they do this?

When I started my contract stated working from home, as my job is quite niche, they needed to widen the pool of applicants. Now however there does seem more pressure on being present in the office.

You’re not necessarily being managed out. I’ve had a similar situation in my team, I’ve just finish restructuring which has meant some quite big changes to roles and responsibilities. New roles created as well, with some of the more junior and more senior duties being consolidated into a new fit for purpose role. The new roles didn’t go to people in the team - I had more qualified applicants from elsewhere.

Some of the existing team are, very understandably, quite put out with some of the changes. No one lost their job though. But - at the end of the day the restructure was done for a reason, it makes sense etc (they agree with that part!)

I’d view it more as “do I want to do this redefined role?” Because you are not going to regain the responsibility you lost. For whatever reason they decided a new step between you/your manager was needed in the structure.

The one positive is that it doesn’t sound to me like this is an issue with your work. Moving your report under the new manager probably does make sense for efficiency. But like you, I wouldn’t be happy with all of this. I would look for a new job. If they’ve made up their mind to manage you out, then nothing will change this.

Why can't you go into the office a couple of days a week?

You are almost certainly right. You are being sidelined as a home worker and the employer wants more of an office focus.
They will know they cannot suddenly demand you move to office working so this is their strategy. I don’t think your role is at risk, they clearly value your skills and work.

Has more than 60% of your role changed? If so, your role may be considered redundant, in which case if your company pays enhanced redundancy you may be able to agree a settlement to leave, whilst looking elsewhere
Or take the pay and the wfh contract and sit pretty - use spare time to upskill - figure out your next move.

This is it - currently I don't actually know what my newly defined role is, if that makes sense. Things are being taken away, and nothing replacing them.

I live about 4 hours away by train haha! The job is wholly WFH, with some travel to the office, usually quarterly-ish. That is how the job was advertised, and how I have done it for 4 years with no issues.

This is it, as per my reply to a PP I live about 4 hours away, they can't change my contract but I suppose they can make me miserable enough to leave.

This is my current view, however I am still angry haha! I think this is the most sensible solution, to take my time to look for the right job to move to.

Start looking for another job. You are right - they are managing you out. It happened to me once. My old boss left, the new one didn't like me and started taking some of my role away and giving it to my assistant.

I would say they are managing you out. Don’t be surprised if your next review claims poor performance, or if they suggest a PIP. Look for another job.

start looking for another job and speak to ACAS if you are not already in union.

document everything.

Thanks all, I have started job hunting today.