Grrr... going to be unemployed soon.

[LeeH]

Reader's Digest version is that when I was offered my current job, it came with the promise from my former colleague doing the hiring, "If you don't like the job, I have lots of contacts and will help you find something else." I didn't really want this job as it's 100% accounting... something I'm really not fond of and not really trained for. She needed someone asap and made the offer of help down the road.

Fast forward a year later... I told her I'd like to take her up on her offer to help me find something else. A week later I was in her office with our HR person being told it wasn't the boss's responsibility to help me find a new job.

They started running the ad for my replacement this week, despite the fact that I don't have anything else lined up.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by LeeH

... it came with the promise from my former colleague doing the hiring, "If you don't like the job, I have lots of contacts and will help you find something else."

It's time to have a heart-to-heart chat with your former colleague and remind her of those exact words.

[sc_rufctr]

Sounds like a bad* deal Lee. (Insert expletive here*)

The best thing you can do. Find a new job and move on as quickly as possible.

I've seen stuff like this happen several times over the years. It's never nice and it's not personal but often feels that way to the person affected.
I don't know what else to tell you. Just keep looking forward.

[KNS]

It's nice to know who your friends are...

Best of luck on your search.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Reader's Digest version is that when I was offered my current job, it came with the promise from my former colleague doing the hiring, "If you don't like the job, I have lots of contacts and will help you find something else." I didn't really want this job as it's 100% accounting... something I'm really not fond of and not really trained for. She needed someone asap and made the offer of help down the road.

Fast forward a year later... I told her I'd like to take her up on her offer to help me find something else. A week later I was in her office with our HR person being told it wasn't the boss's responsibility to help me find a new job.

They started running the ad for my replacement this week, despite the fact that I don't have anything else lined up.

You might consider a different line of work to pay the bills. I had a friend that owned a janitor office cleaning bizness. He told me that folks that got to the top and lost their positions for whatever reason took it badly, drugs, alcohol, oh poor me etc. He said if he lost every thing for what ever reason he would go back to busting tables, washing dishes etc, and work his way back up to the "top" from the bottom. Bottom line, if you cant make it at the "top" start from the bottom and work you way up, you will be ok..... Now go handle your bizness....

[ckelly78z]

A contract in writing gives you a leg to stand on with the company. If it was just a verbal promise, it sucks, but it's not really admissable, it's basically your word against theirs, and they have already made their intentions known.

Move on being thankful for a year of employment.

[fintstone]

Accounting is a great skill because it is transportable and in demand for short term surges, projects, etc. Personally, I would consider doing long term assignments through a temp agency until I found a place/job that like me and I liked the circumstances.

Also, depending on your experience/education, the Federal government is always looking for folks as financial managers and in the contracting field...folks with an accounting background are perfect for both. You might have to start with a slight cut in pay (unless you are very highly paid now), but promotions are fast in those areas and they provide the training you would need to transition. Unfortunately, Phoenix is not a hotbed for Fed employment and there is a temporary hiring freeze...so it would be better if you were willing to relocate. Obviously, DC is best, but there are lots of jobs near military bases/research labs that do acquisition like Albuquerque.

[JacobS911]

That's unfortunate they are reacting that way.. put in your notice and stick it to em! (if you can afford it financially)
If not.. hop back on that hamster wheel Monday morning with a smile on your face like the rest of us

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Reader's Digest version is that when I was offered my current job, it came with the promise from my former colleague doing the hiring, "If you don't like the job, I have lots of contacts and will help you find something else." I didn't really want this job as it's 100% accounting... something I'm really not fond of and not really trained for. She needed someone asap and made the offer of help down the road.

Fast forward a year later... I told her I'd like to take her up on her offer to help me find something else. A week later I was in her office with our HR person being told it wasn't the boss's responsibility to help me find a new job.

They started running the ad for my replacement this week, despite the fact that I don't have anything else lined up.

You gave us the condensed version so maybe these details are covered in the "full disclosure."

When you approached your "former colleague" to take up her offer, you, at that point, notified her that you were looking to leave and she had an obligation to fill your position. The advertisement for a replacement should not be a surprise. What is a surprise is that she obviously wants it on record that she will not help you relocate, otherwise she, or the HR person, would not make the comment about employer obligations. Her earlier offer could have been kept secret with no one the wiser. Perhaps she could lose her job if the offer was implemented so she had to make an official statement that she would not help. Regardless, you have found out the character of your former colleague. As others have said, put it behind you and chalk it up to experience. Like buying a used car, get everything important in writing.

Good luck on your new job.

[LeeH]

The whole promise of help was very much a handshake deal, but absolutely material to me taking the position. That's why I was shocked that she got our HR consultant involved. Yeah, of course there's more to the story that doesn't need to be made public.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Important lesson learned - anything not on a contract isn't real. Oh yeah, and most people, particularly in business, will CYA before worrying about you.

[Por_sha911]

Bad news: you got screwed.
Good news: you know who not to trust and if the company is that heartless then you really don't want to work for them anyway.

Bonus points may come to you if they ask you to train someone else any time between now and when you leave on any part of what you do. know what I mean, know what I mean? wink wink nudge nudge.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Bad news: you got screwed.
Good news: you know who not to trust and if the company is that heartless then you really don't want to work for them anyway.

Bonus points may come to you if they ask you to train someone else any time between now and when you leave on any part of what you do. know what I mean, know what I mean? wink wink nudge nudge.

The letter I received from the HR consultant telling me they were advertising the job also said they would NOT need me to train the new person. This just blew me away. This is a complicated job that pays way under market for the skills they want. The new person will be at a serious disadvantage coming in without my help. I know this as the previous person in the role wasn't there to help me. I will be available for consulting.

[pavulon]

Who is their DIRECT competitor? They may want to "talk".

Originally Posted by LeeH

The letter I received from the HR consultant telling me they were advertising the job also said they would NOT need me to train the new person. This just blew me away. This is a complicated job that pays way under market for the skills they want. The new person will be at a serious disadvantage coming in without my help. I know this as the previous person in the role wasn't there to help me. I will be available for consulting.

[Baz]

Open up your own business.

Be the captain of your own ship.

That's the best way to control your career.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Baz

Open up your own business.

Be the captain of your own ship.

That's the best way to control your career.

Yeah, been self employed for years. Hard part is now that I'm single, I no longer have health insurance. I have assets and can make enough to pay the bills... assuming I'm not shelling out $1000/month for health insurance.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Yeah, been self employed for years. Hard part is now that I'm single, I no longer have health insurance. I have assets and can make enough to pay the bills... assuming I'm not shelling out $1000/month for health insurance.

I'm self-insured wrt health insurance.

It's a lot less expensive.....as long as you stay healthy.

[VincentVega]

Good luck

Where are you shopping for insurance? I'm sure every situation is a bit different but I'm much, much less than that using the govt exchange.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Good luck

Where are you shopping for insurance? I'm sure every situation is a bit different but I'm much, much less than that using the govt exchange.

How old are you? I'm 52. For coverage that's somewhat comparable to what I have now, it's just over $1000/month on the exchange. Covers 80%. $680/month will cover 60%.

[sammyg2]

Friends are friends and business is business.
One should have NOTHING to do with the other.