We are entering the time in my industry where things like bonuses, raises, promotions and layoffs happen.
I come by my wariness of this period of time naturally. My layoff happened at the end of January. My "reassignment" happened at the end of February. Once upon a time, I looked at these times with an especial sort of hope. Now, I hold my breath and hope for the best.
The timing of all of this has changed over the years, at least in my industry. When I started in the long ago, all of this happened before the end of the year with the mad dash to turn in assessments and get reviews completely by 31 December. Somewhere along the line this changed - probably for the best, given what passes for the end of the year rush at this point - and while the reviews continued to have to be done by the end of the year, the actual decisions and announcements were pushed into the next year.
At some point, one gives up the idea that magical things happen during these cycles given that, at this time in the career cycle, such significant changes are few and far between and at some point become fewer and farther between (in my own experience, the years between 2017 and 2019 were an aberration of an otherwise staid career of cost of living raises and occasional promotions). One quietly waits for the conversation to occur, the review to happen (certainly my reviews now with my manager are pleasant affairs and there are no surprises), the financing to be expressed, and then we go on with our lives.
Except...
Except this year I am experiencing a sort of wariness. It is industry-wide of course - one reads more and more these days of smaller biotech and pharmaceutical companies laying off employees, but now it seems to be extending to larger companies as well. It is not a surprise, or not really: given the state of the Post-Plague economy, small companies are having a terrible time launching Initial Purchase Offers and larger companies are trimming down assets which are not performing or appear to have no future as an asset class (not just individual products).
Can I project manage in other industries? In theory, yes - the practice of project management is in theory industry agnostic. At the same time, there are nuances that feed into any industry: I am more likely to be a better performer in a biopharmaceutical company than, say, an IT company simply because I understand the process and know the "language".
But I would be lying if I said I was not approaching this week with a bit of trepidation. Perhaps not "Something Wicked This Way Comes", but "Something A Little Disconcerting Meanders In".
Dang TB, something always seems to raise the needle of Disquieting Background Noise eh?
ReplyDeleteNylon12, is that not the truth? It always feels like there is something. Part of that is simply the business I am in - somewhat inherently unstable - and some of it is additional factors. The nature of the business I can take. The "added instability?" Not so much.
DeleteI can appreciate your position. My position also has some tendencies where if work is not in my specialty, it becomes less valued. I received some possible welcome news last week. I am very experienced in designing chain motels, and the past couple of years saw a major draw down on their construction due to Covid. But we might have an opportunity at a new motel project and my experience comes into play again. Keeping my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI'm an older person and getting laid off now would not be a good thing.
Good luck! That does sound like a specialized sort of industry as well (very specialized as well). Hopeful that you hear good news!
DeleteI am in the position that I were to find myself in need of a job again, I suspect I could get one - but likely would have to do some "ladder climbing" again. Not a thought I relish.
My days for that concern are over. Heading out to pasture at this age and ability wasn't my plan at all.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't in the management end of things in point of fact. I was a screwdriver. But I did a lot of consultations with contractors and management way outside the scope of my job description. I got a little cold comfort from my last manager, "I had no idea what you really did, until you weren't there to do it." Too late for a raise, though.
May God direct the upper echelons of your company to reward you for your faithful and excellent service. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Sometimes He sells a few to help out. ;)
STxAR, back in the days of yore when I actually had to deliver reviews, my practice was that no-one should every have been surprised by the review - I should be communicating to them long before that day came (one of the reasons that the 2020 review was such a shock was that it was out of the blue).
DeleteIt would be great if something amazing happened; at this point, I would just settle for "stay the course".
I'm so glad to be out of that rat race. Kind of like STxAR, it wasn't my plan at all but a serious of events made it happen and though it kind of shell shocked me initially, I'm glad that it resulted in what I now have.
ReplyDeleteThe last gig I had was as an employee owner which was sort of refreshing as the reviews were sort of pushed to the back because our bonuses were directly tied to the financial health of the company. Productivity was always highest the month after our stock account balances were given to us.
Ed, I really have nothing to complain about - this is the easiest review process I have had in years (and no direct reports to deal with to boot). Still, there is always that lingering concern that there is going to be an unexpected surprise all of a sudden.
DeleteThere are days I think a simple job where I just go in, work, and leave have a certain attraction to them.
I got laid off yesterday. I'm a Trucking/ Oilfield Dispatcher. I worry because I'm almost 60. (in May) and while illegal, age discrimination is rampant here in California. I hate looking for work, and I need to work for at least 10 more years, in order to have any retirement at all.
ReplyDeleteI hope things go well for you, TB!
Oh no Skwab! That is awful news, and you have nothing but my sympathy. I am almost in your age bracket and yes, ageism is a concern in lots of fields. I hope you are able to find work soon and very much appreciate you taking the time to wish me well when you had such lousy news yourself.
DeleteIt has been a few days since you posted this, so I hope you'll update us when you have more information. I still manage people, so have to do reviews for others. I figured out a long time ago it's all a game -- one I play, albeit reluctantly.
ReplyDeleteBob, I am still waiting. My understanding from the grapevine that letters are now "out" to managers. My manager has asked for a short meeting tomorrow, so hopefully I will have news to report on Saturday (and thanks for remembering!).
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