I have noticed a trend over the last few weeks at my job. There is a certain tilt to the tasks that are coming my way, a certain change in what I am being asked to do.
Essentially I - and my group - are being moved to the shadows.
Oh, we still have plenty to do, never fear you about that. But what we have to do is increasing sinking beneath the level of visibility to the bulk of the company: where before we managed, now we administer as well. Where before we verified the work of others, now we are doing their work because they have more important tasks. Where before management came to our meetings, now virtually none of them show up.
If I look around I realize that I am in a declining department, as least declining in relationship to the rest of the company structure. Parts of the business are increasing in size and scope, but not us. The problem, of course, is that we will be the recipient of that increased work force's output. We should be growing now - and of course, we will not.
There are days when I enjoy what I do, that I feel it makes a difference. But what I am finding now is different - it is not that I am doing my job function, but rather that I - and my department - are picking up the work to support us that others no longer view as important.
If you think the work we do is not important enough for you to do, imagine how you will feel when we are not there to do that work either.
You're not alone. You'll be forced to do more with less, for the same amount of pay. Complain, and you'll be told "If you don't like it, leave. There are a hundred people waiting in line for your job, and they'll work for less." But the economy's going so well; right?
ReplyDeleteI work in a a field where less than optimal staffing conditions simply exist as a matter of course, so I just assume we will do more for less. The problem which is not grasped is that ultimately some things go undone which should be done because of a lack of resourcing. Penny wise, pound foolish.
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