I Was Just Pushed Out of a Gig I’m Really Good At. The Reason Feels So Unfair.

Good Job I was blindsided. Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock/Getty Images Plus. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Good Job is Slate’s advice column on work. Have a workplace problem big or small? Send it to Laura Helmuth and Doree Shafrir here. (It’s anonymous!) Dear Good Job, I work part-time for an event management company that operates a venue on a college campus. I also work for the college in a different but related capacity. Long story short, a ridiculous amount of bureaucracy has made operations extremely challenging, both for employees and patrons alike. We do our best in a less-than-ideal situation, but it’s frustrating. Recently, I applied for and was offered a job working directly for the college. The job is essentially what I do now, with a few more responsibilities as well as a management title. My current supervisor at the event management company encouraged me to apply because the job works closely with her; we work well together, and she knows what a valuable asset I am. Because the job at the college is only 30 hours a week, and I like my role at the event management company, neither my boss nor I were planning on me quitting; my schedule is such that I could very easily work both. I was blindsided yesterday when my supervisor told me that the assistant general manager for the event management company told her I couldn’t continue to work in my current position with them because of my new job. My supervisor was also blindsided by this and wasn’t given a clear reason why I couldn’t perform both roles (though I was told I can work in other departments, which I’ve done before and am completely capable of, trained for, and enjoy). She intimated that it was political in nature. One would assume that there might be a conflict of interest … however, both facilities use the same software and systems (furnished and maintained by the college). The theatres serve different functions (the larger theatre has touring shows, while the smaller theatre has shows produced by the college). Most people (students and patrons alike) aren’t even aware the event management company exists; they think it’s all the college. Our operating procedures were mostly created by me (I’ve worked at this venue since it opened, and my boss and I were really hoping to make things more seamless between facilities). I would have access to the same customer information. Really, the only difference would be which time clock I’m punching. I’m really conflicted about this. It feels like a slap in the face somehow. The supervisors in the other departments were quick to say they’d give me shifts. I have a good reputation, my work is solid, and I’m well-liked by my co-workers, patrons, students, and faculty. The new assistant GM hasn’t really gotten to know me as a person and doesn’t know what a valuable asset to the company I am. Taking my talents to teams that do appreciate me seems like it’s in my best interest. But I still can’t shake this icky feeling. I haven’t started the new job yet, and even when I do, I will still have to work with everyone at the event management company in the same building. What are your thoughts? Is this normal in companies that have a lot of bureaucracy? Am I just doomed? Is this as bad as it feels? —Emotional Soon-to-Be Manager (she/her) Dear Emotional Soon-to-Be Manager, Congratulations on the new job! You’re focused on problems of bureaucracy and professional relationships right now, which is reasonable and probably part of why you’ve been so successful in your various roles. But take a moment to enjoy the promotion and the fact that you have built a great network across departments. Give your former co-workers at the event management company credit for being happy for you, not pitying you. You’re not doomed; you’re thriving. The assistant GM probably perceived, rightly or wrongly, that your new role could present a conflict of interest with the event management company. That’s a reasonable concern; in your new role with the college, you may well make budgeting, scheduling, or contracting decisions that affect the assistant GM’s company. It’s probably not personal. If it is personal, well, think of this as useful experience. In any workplace or professional network that’s large enough, there will be people who simply don’t like you. That feels bad, sure, and it’s much more pleasant to work with people who do like you. But give yourself credit for being able to behave professionally, if cautiously, with your haters. Both colleges and companies typically do have what can feel like a ridiculous amount of bureaucracy. (When I started graduate school, someone a few years ahead of me advised: “Imagine every possible form. Then go fill them in.”) The assistant GM at the events company probably doesn’t understand the campus bureaucracy or the various players as well as you do. In your new role, over-communicate with the assistant GM about how the campus side of the relationship works, and connect them with others who interact with the events management company. You probably won’t get your part-time job back with the event management company, but you might be able to dispel the feeling of being mistrusted or rejected. Don’t try too hard, though—if the assistant GM doesn’t appreciate your efforts, that’s their problem. Let the old part-time job go, with appreciation for how much you learned and accomplished there, and focus on your new roles and relationships. —Laura More Advice From Slate I’m at a crossroads in my career and could use some advice. Currently, I’m in a role with Company A, which while not perfect is pretty good. The possibility for long-term growth is there and the benefits are great. The pay could use some work—I still live paycheck to paycheck despite a management role—but we get two small bumps annually. Bonuses are arbitrary and not goal or sales-based. Company B is trying to poach me and I’m looking at a significant five-figure increase in my pay… Advice Workplace Jobs