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View Full Version : Tell me what you think (job situation)


bassaussie
05-02-2007, 03:17 PM
Just wanted people's opinions on this situation, and how you guys might handle it.

Background wise, I'm a contractor working on a long term project in Dublin. The project has just passed 12 months, and has around 10-12 months to go before completion. My current contract finishes end of July, and I've been asked to stay until the end of the project by the project manager.

Moving to more recent events, the IT manager of the company (an Irish bank/insurance company) approached me 2 weeks ago to see if I wanted to join the company permanently. I gave the offer some thought, but since I don't consider myself to be permanently located in Dublin, I declined the offer.

At the end of last week, I ran into the IT manager at a social event organised by work. I had a quick conversation with her, thanking her for the offer, but making it clear that my refusal was strictly down to where I considered my home was. I also said that there was a wealth of skilled programmers on our team, and that maybe some of the Irish based ones would be more suitable for her offer. I named three as an example.

On Monday, I got an email from her asking for the initials of the 3 people. Thinking nothing of it (stupidly) I supplied these.

Today, my project manager comes up to me asking me what I'd said to the IT manager. Questions such as why I supplied the names of those three people, why I'd suggested they wanted to leave the project, what was my motive in doing all this, why I hadn't told her about the conversation at the social event or the subsequent emails etc.

So ..... right now, I'm super pissed off at the IT manager for using my name and the names I provided as some sort of leverage against my project manager, I'm super pissed off at myself for saying something that I thought was innocent but has been twisted into something else, and I'm on the verge of giving notice as I find this whole situation so offensive.

Thoughts, opinions and suggestions welcome. Oh, and please, don't tell me I'm stupid/naive/careless/gullible etc. I already know. :(

ModmanQ6
05-02-2007, 03:22 PM
Ah, the dangers and pitfalls of inter office politics...nasty stuff there... Sorry you're going through this...

bassaussie
05-02-2007, 03:24 PM
Ah, the dangers and pitfalls of inter office politics...nasty stuff there... Sorry you're going through this...

It's the reason I'm a contractor - usually I can avoid this.

I swear, the only reason I mentioned these three people was because they're all married, they have kids, they're located in Dublin, and if I was in their position, I'd be thrilled by the offer. That any of that was twisted into the crap it's been portrayed as really gets up my nose.

Grant Sharkey
05-02-2007, 03:32 PM
Man that sucks. It's the reason i work for myself.

I'm not sure what to suggest for it other than to to make it clear to everyone what was going on. Be honest and hopefully people will understand.

Social events, organised by work. That's where i start to leave companies. Used to go out with a girl who was obligated to socialise with the people she worked with (people she hated and plotted around her) - it defies my personal logic on working. Don't drink with people you can fire or can fire you. Lesson to all.

bassaussie
05-02-2007, 03:40 PM
Don't drink with people you can fire or can fire you. Lesson to all.

Yeah, wise words those.

It's funny, but even that aspect of the situation pisses me off. The social event was actually a party in honour of one of the permanent staff member's 20th anniversary with the company. This woman is one of the most honourable people I've ever had the pleasure to work with. She's amazing at her job, incredibly humble in her execution of it, and simply an all round nice person who I'm lucky enough to have lunch with once or twice a week. I can't help see the irony in the fact that, on a night when we were celebrating the contribution of one of the few decent people in the place, some asshole manager takes an opportunity to play politics.

bill
05-02-2007, 05:49 PM
Set up a meeting with the two people at the same time, tell your side of the story, just to make sure every thing is on the up and up. Get it all out in the open so no one things you are the back stabber.

Jugghaid
05-02-2007, 05:56 PM
Wow. That sucks Mark. I guess the only thing to say is live and learn. Now you know who you can't trust. I hate that shit. That's why being the boss is a good thing. I can fire people who do that shit.

bassaussie
05-02-2007, 06:27 PM
Thanks fo all the comments.

I've had a think about this through the evening, and I'm probably going to offer my notice tomorrow. I'm not all that happy living in Dublin anyway, and this seems to be the final straw for me.

bill
05-02-2007, 06:33 PM
Thanks fo all the comments.

I've had a think about this through the evening, and I'm probably going to offer my notice tomorrow. I'm not all that happy living in Dublin anyway, and this seems to be the final straw for me.

I don't know that I would quit over this, well not till I had something lined up already.

Jugghaid
05-02-2007, 06:42 PM
Thanks fo all the comments.

I've had a think about this through the evening, and I'm probably going to offer my notice tomorrow. I'm not all that happy living in Dublin anyway, and this seems to be the final straw for me.

If you aren't happy, move on. Life is too damn short man.

Les Izzmor
05-02-2007, 08:06 PM
If you aren't happy, move on. Life is too damn short man.

Juggs is a wise man.

Seems like you got railroaded. That sucks.

Perfessor
05-03-2007, 07:59 AM
Boink Boink Boink.......

Zamfir
05-03-2007, 09:03 AM
Dear IT Manager,

It has come to my attention that you somehow revealed my name as the source of the three names of potential people for your team. Project Manager X is now very unhappy with me and suspicious of my motivations and loyalty.

Frankly, I thought I was doing you a favor that should have been kept discreet, as these sorts of things normally are. Now I need a return of the favor: would you please propose a strategy to smooth things over with Project Manager X, and contact me in advance so that we can talk about it before putting the plan into action?

-BA

[And, optionally:]

Dear Project Manager,

IT Manager Y was simply interested in finding out who might be a good fit for the Dublin team. I recommended some names on the spur of the moment, and that's all. I didn't give it a second thought, and I had absolutely no intention of weakening your team. The initiative for the request was that of IT Manager Y.

-BA

bassaussie
05-03-2007, 03:41 PM
I received a semi-apology this morning from the project manager today. Along the lines of "wish I hadn't said anything, didn't mean to upset you". To be honest, her actions weren't those that upset me, but for now, I'll just sit and take this cashcow's money. Fuck 'em.