… it’s not really a happy ending, but there is an interesting twist.
When I arrived at work this morning there was a note from the chief executive on my desk. He asked if I could do the wages first thing, as he would be going away at lunchtime until Saturday. So I did the wages and one or two other little jobs, thinking that I would at least be there until the end of the week. He came in and out, and it seemed to be business as usual.
It’s not that I want to stay, but I’d like to leave things as tidy as I can for my successor, and it’s a little nerve-wracking stepping away from any job into an uncertain future.
But then at quarter to twelve a young woman in casual dress, not the usual sort of visitor we see, appeared at the door. She had come for an interview. With the chairman, his wife, the chief executive and the HR manager. I pointed her in the right direction, pushed the accounts to one side, tidied things up and took backups.
And, sure enough, half an hour or so later my much threatened meeting began. And that was where the twist came.
The recently departed HR/Finance Manager had dropped me right in it! He had told them that I was unhappy in my job and had been ‘putting my cv about.’ Which was sort of true, but to me there’s a difference between being not happy and being unhappy and I have been quiet and professional about my job seeking. And I would have given notice when the time came, and done whatever I could to facilitate a smooth handover.
And there was more. Back when placed the advertisement I responded to he was supposed to be recruiting a receptionist with some accounts skills, not an accountant who was prepared to help out with other work when necessary. And so the chief executive and I had been working with different views of what my job was for the last nine months.
Knowing what I know now I can see that HR/Finance Manager hoped for advancement when planned changes happened, and recruiting me was part of his plan to build his power base. And when the changes didn’t come, when he saw he wasn’t going get the things he’s hoped for, he turned.
He placed the advertisement I saw last week, without any authority! The chairman didn’t ask him to call me last week!
Now there are quite a few other things that he said I have to ask questions about, and I am quite sure he steered me in the wrong direction quite a few times.
Maybe I should have worked it out before, but I am inclined to take people at face value.
My job is gone now, but we parted on friendly terms. I’ve been promised a good reference and they asked me what sort of person they should be looking for.
My feeling now is that the chief executive has his failings, but he is doing his best. I still have reservations about the external accountant, but we might have had a better relationship under different circumstances. And the HR consultant handled things today reasonably well, so maybe he is the right man to move things forward.
I calculated what I was owed, the CEO wrote me a cheque, and I issued and filed my own P45!
I’m a little wobbly right now – I’m trying to be positive, but I have more uncertainly in my life right now than I’m comfortable with – but I need to get back on track for another job interview tomorrow.
And that really is the end of this chapter.
Fleur in her World 
My heart goes out to you! Living under such a cloud cannot be pleasant. With your talents, experience and personality you deserve better. Good luck with the next stage.
All the best,
Phil
Jane, I know from my own experience that this isn’t much help in situations like this, but that place sounds like a no-hoper and we all know that you’re far, far, very far from being one. (P.S. one of the nicest things that happened to me in a situation like this is that I got a wonderful thank-you note from a colleague when I left, so maybe you’ll let us be a proxy for that. 🙂 )
All my best wishes for this new chapter!
(A newish reader, who enjoys your blog very much)
Rather than look at it as the final chapter, you should see it as a new beginning! Wishing you all the best. 🙂
I am rather new to your blog and hope you don’t mind me chiming in…
It sounds like a confirmation to me that it was time to leave. You have now have a amazing opening for a job that you will LOVE going to. 🙂
Cat
I’m sorry the end of this part of your working life was so full of misunderstandings & turmoil but I’m sure you’ll find something much better very soon. Good luck with the interview tomorrow.
Definitely a new beginning! Good luck, Jane.
Good luck with future job hunting. Those office politics sound a little too twisted to make it a pleasant place to stay.
Good luck with the new chapter Fleur…and if all else fails, take solace in lovely books!
Here’s to a new phase in your life! May you find a situation that will be a perfect fit for your talents and skills.
I know that the perfect job is around the corner. I think you handled yourself in a professional manner. Keep your head held high!
Good riddance! Uncertainty is awful but it is better than being in such a stressful situation. It is wonderful that you were able to leave on good terms and you seem to have done a great job maintaining your composure and professionalism despite the absurbities of what you were forced to go through. Good luck with the job hunt!
Onward and upward! I’m not one who thinks things happen for a reason but I do think that when one door closes, it allows another one to open. Here’s to being able to walk through that new open door.
I think you handled that well. Sounds like you are best out of it and away from people who need to look seriously at their own work ethic and how they deal with people.
Good luck with the next chapter, it could be the turning point in your story.
I think you’ve done marvellously to walk away with such dignity, as it was obviously a bad and unhealthy situation. Good luck, and here’s to a new chapter!
Good luck. I think you got caught in the crossfire between people who had their own agendas and were engaged in some kind of power struggle, but at least you’ve walked out with your head high. And although it’s a terrible shock, it’s much better to go immediately – when I was made redundant we all had to continuing working for three months (because of the so-called ‘consultation process’) and it was a nightmare.
So sorry to read about all the stress you’ve been going through recently. It must be especially hard so near to Christmas. I hope the job interview goes well tomorrow. Good luck!
It is was a no win situation and you are best off out of it. Start afresh in the New Year!
I do hope things turn over for you with the New Year. My good wishes that what you seek you will find