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Manager from hell

Following up from the welcome back, screw you post, I applied for another position within the company. As part of the rules, you have to make your current manager aware. I did so. I got an email back that asked why I wanted to leave etc, and that my manager will vouch for me. That was Friday. I am thinking... well, that's not too bad, he said he will vouch for me.

Come Tuesday morning (after the long weekend on which I worked), I am taken to Starbucks for a "talk". It was more of a monologue than a real talk. I was told a whole load of things that were untrue/scary. He started off by saying that I shouldn't think I was holding a gun to their heads by threatening to leave. I am thinking, I only applied for a job within the fucking company for god sakes. I was told they could replace me with the next University graduate they get their hands on. I am thinking, good luck with that.

It gets better. I get a lecture on how I am taking the new team down. I am not sure how. I mean the team is barely a week old. And hasn't really done anything at all. I am told that if I don't get the new position, it is best that I find something else to do. And then to cover his ass, he says, or come back and tell me you want to be on this team and contribute. An after thought. How quaint.

I remember someone from the new company telling us how much better the work place is going to be. How your managers would encourage you to move around the company. Well, saying is one thing, doing is an entirely different thing. And as far as I am concerned, all that is just hot air. I am so hoping that I get the new job. SO hoping.

I was told not to take on any new issues, to finish off the current ones. I was told not to talk to the new staff and tell them how bad work has been in the past (wtf?). I was told that my accounts will be transitioned. I was told to come to work on time and leave on time. I was told that I probably don't have what it takes to do my current job (after doing it for 2 years and giving everything I had for it...).

I went back to the office and sure enough the changes began. My accounts were being transitioned to others. Staff were told NOT to speak to me because I was busy on a "project". Work I had already started doing was taken away from me. When things come up, I am ignored. I can help and make a difference but they go out of their way to make sure I cannot participate. The emails from the management are really nice, pointing out how much of a favour they are doing me by transitioning my accounts etc. Covering their asses good. I just wish I had recorded that conversation.

Moral of the story: don't apply for a job within the company unless you manager is not from hell. Or he will make you feel like shit afterwards.

I then had a meeting with the new team's manager. Seems like an angel compared to my current one. I think I did okay on our informal interview. I told him I am keen to move. He asked me why. I told him because I want to learn more, explore more opportunities. Didn't mention my current work situation. Didn't think it would help. But I will blog it.

Wish me luck. I *need* that job.

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