Post # 1
Member
78 posts
Worker bee
Hey Bees,
Just need a place to vent I guess, since I’m a total mess of emotions right now…
So my boss, whom I absolutely adore, announced her resignation today. And I’m seriously freaking out.
Background: I started in this role last November. It’s a huge step up from what I used to be doing and a step in the right direction for where I want to go career-wise. My boss took a big leap of faith hiring me even though I don’t have any direct experience with the work I’m doing (Compensation/Benefits), although I have a few years of general HR experience. The majority of the work that our department handles is project and specific time-period based, meaning that some things we only do once a year and others once every 2 years. To add onto this, the senior member of our team (who’s been here 8 years) is moving into a different position next week. Thank goodness she will still be around, but she’s now going to be starting a new career path and probably won’t be available too much to help.
I was geniunely feeling like I could stay here for a number of years. My last job was a nightmare where I was essentially bullied out, so coming to this place under a fantastic boss was such a relief and honestly helped me climb out of a very dark place after being bullied for months.
I know how rare it is to work for a competent, intelligent, easy-going and caring boss. I feel like my current boss has all those qualities and more. Now I’m freaked out because she’s the go-to person for all things HR-related and protects us from the office politics that often happen at the top of the food chain. We have 2 huge projects coming up that I have absolutely no experience in and I’m a newbie having to hold up the department.
To add to this, my wedding is 2 weeks away and I still have a lot of things to take care of for that. I can’t help but feel guilty that I booked 8 days off (3 before the wedding, 5 after), and nobody will be around in our department for those days.
Ugh, I’m just so sad and stressed… :
Post # 3
Member
1359 posts
Bumble bee
Don’t worry! It may be a challenge, but I’m sure you can do it.
If you feel like you lack experience for your position, maybe consider a professional development class / workshop. I was hired for my current position with absolutely no solid experience, so I “took” some of those free online classes. They didn’t really help in terms of providing knowledge (what can you expect from free online classes, haha) but they did give me the impression of “I can totally do this!” that boosted my confidence.
Post # 4
Member
78 posts
Worker bee
@arathella: Thank you! It’ll be a challenge for sure. I think once I get over the initial shock, I will be ok…
Post # 5
Member
46336 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@cinnakim: Will your boss still be local to you? I would ask her if she is willing to mentor you in your career. Even if she moves away, she can still mentor and support you by email.
I hope you have told her what a great boss she is and how much you appreciate her.
Post # 6
Member
10367 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Can you follow her to her new company? If my boss left, i’d feel the same way, and i’d definitely ask if it was a possibility!
Post # 7
Member
78 posts
Worker bee
@julies1949: absolutely, she is staying local and I will stay in touch with her. We’ve had a lot of tears between us in the last few days and I’m sure there will be more.
@crayfish: I thought about it, but the place she’s going to has a very unique culture that not everyone would enjoy – but I know that it’s a great fit for her 🙂
Post # 8
Member
11234 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Any chance they’d promote you?
Post # 9
Member
993 posts
Busy bee
Please don’t take this personally, but this is what helps me when I feel overloaded: A company is a company and will continue to be a company. People are replaceable and its not any one person’s job to keep the whole place afloat. They will have to make sure that there is someone to help you if your company is that size and they can’t expect you to fill your boss’ shoes if you are new. You are only one person.
HOWEVER it is an AMAZING opportunity if you want it to prove yourself. I know it will be hard because she’s obviously your friend – try to make weekly or bi-weekly lunch dates with her and ask her to be your mentor in your career. Good luck! I’m sorry that you’re feeling stressed and sad!
Post # 10
Member
3697 posts
Sugar bee
I had two bosses quit on me here. I’ll be honest, it doesn’t feel good. Then I sat down with my director and asked what the plan was and he said “It doesn’t affect you, just do your job.”
Well… I was doing my job… and my bosses. I wanted to know IF HE HAD A FUCKING PLAN. Which would obviously impact me, if he hired me a new boss. He did – sort of, we don’t get along – at all – it hasn’t gone well for me.
So, my advice (you live and learn). Do your job. Take on as much of your boss’ respobsibility as you possibily can. Step up and let everyone see you doing it. Toot your own damn horn. Even if they hire you a new boss, let that bitch know that you can do her job. She’ll have to respect you.
Also start looking for a new job, because it’s 50/50 how that ends up. Good luck!
Post # 11
Member
78 posts
Worker bee
Thanks bees for your responses so far. I feel much better now that I’ve let myself be sad and decided to focus on the things that are within my sphere of control (which another awesome previous boss taught me early in my career).
Being promoted would be awesome, but to be honest I’m too junior in this role so it will take at least another year before I’m feeling capable in my current role. However, I see it as an opportunity to have a say in how my portfolio may look in the near future.
And absolutely, people are always replaceable and the company will move on. It’s probably for the best in the long run, since it’s a lesson in not relying on one person too heavily and having succession plans in place.
I’m mostly focusing on wrapping things up in the next few days and I’m off to get married and have some down time. Those days off can’t come soon enough…
