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If anyone else has a take on this (has been in the same or a similar situation), I would appreciate hearing your thoughts.  And apologies for the long post!

The organisation I work for has one main office, and a number of smaller satellite offices in the immediate vicinity.  Bossie and I share one of the satellite buildings; there were others in here, but owing to moves and cutbacks it’s now just us.

A few months ago, Bossie was somewhat aggrieved to hear the Big Cheese (BC) announce at a meeting “As I’ve told you all already, Tuxcat and Tuxcat’s Bossie will be moving to the main office, freeing up their office for something else”.  Bossie had not been told this, and made his feelings quite clear.  BC backed down.  At this point, I should add that there’s a mindset in the main office which the boss detests, and I’m none too keen on.  We like our set-up, and we get our work done.  

Bossie is quite aware that there is a lot of wasted space in our building, and there was talk of a couple of others moving in (forming a new department, which is not yet off the ground).  He, and I, would both be fine with this.

A few days back, I had cause to see BC’s secretary; while I was there, BC called me in for a chat.  Apparently there were thoughts about redeploying the building, and he’d decided it would be a good idea to move me and Bossie back to the main office.

I spoke to Bossie to find out why the decision had been changed, and Bossie exploded.  He rang the BC and asked what on earth was going on.  BC bluffed – apparently he was just concerned that I was lonely in my office, and thought I would prefer the company to be had in the main office (I would have my own office, but share the building facilities – here we have our own kitchen, bathroom, copier, etc).  Hmmmm ….. if that was the case, why was the term “redeploying” used?  Anyhow, Bossie got an apology for both him and me from BC (but BC hasn’t spoken to me since).  Bossie also spoke to his line manager TD (NB: the organisation is such that Bossie doesn’t trace line management back to BC) to find out what was going on.  TD knew nothing, and was decidedly unimpressed with the way things were panning out.  Ultimately, if TD were to tell Bossie that we were to up sticks and move, Bossie would not be happy, but would do it.  It’s a different matter with BC though.

There have been a couple of other incidents since …. Another member of staff coming to check over the building and look at possible options for conversion to another use/reconfiguration.  Bossie fired off a slightly peeved e-mail to BC, and, some hours after this had been read, was told that it was a routine exercise which had been instigated some while ago, and nothing to get my panties in a bunch about (not the phraseology used BTW!)  Sounds like he needed the time to get an excuse together!

And the most recent – being stopped by another member of staff and being told they understood I would be working for New Postholder (vacancy currently being recruited to).  Apparently they had enquired of Personnel whether NP  would be needing clerical help, and were told “Tux  will be working for them”.  Neither I nor my boss knew anything about this, and BC is denying all knowledge of such a decision.  It is just feasible that for once he might be being100% honest, but I’m not holding my breath.

Bossie is being fab and ranting on my behalf, but this is getting old now.  One of the things in the main office mindset is a “doublespeak” – saying one thing, then claiming that you meant something entirely different – and that’s one of the things Bossie hates so much.  I am contemplating a code phrase for me and Bossie which means “What the hell is going on now – something else has happened that I’m not happy about and I’m quite sure has been decided without your consent.”  Whilst I have no doubts about Bossie’s loyalty to me, I feel very guilty about venting to him – I’m trying my darndest not to sound like a spoiled brat, but sometimes I feel like I am!  I guess it’s the way things are being done that riles me so much.  If Bossie were to come to me and say “Sorry Tux, but it’s been decided that you and I are going to the main office – let’s do it and make the best of a bad job” I would do it, no questions asked.  It’s the sneaky way things are being announced that sticks in my craw (and his!)

There’s a major meeting soon at which Bossie, TD and BC will be present.  Bossie is inclined to give BC something of a roasting about the way things are happening, and I know that he will report back.  

Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy my job, and love working for Bossie, who’s a great guy.  I’ve had a few extra duties imposed upon me as a result of the aforementioned cutbacks, which is fine – the work needs to be done.  But if stuff starts being imposed on me without consultation with Bossie, I think that’s just plain rude – after all, he is my line manager first and foremost.

Once again, sorry to vent for so long …. But if anyone has been in this situation I’d be glad to hear your experiences.  Thank you for sticking with me – I think getting it all down on screen has helped!

This sounds like a bit of a minefield, Tux.

There are a number of issues here and I would suggest that, however tough it is, you stay cool and detached.  

First, any company has a legitimate right to rationalise and regroup to meet new circumstances.  It all rather depends on the way things are done.

I'm interested to read that you are being "told" you will be working for a new postholder, without consultation.  Check your contract.  Sounds to me as though perhaps Bossie's own position is vulnerable and however loyal you may feel, you need to protect yourself.  If things are "mentioned", you must ask people to put their "mentions" formally in writing and from the appropriate person - not just any person.  "Mentioning" things is really unprofessional.

If you do have to move to another office, you may not find it as bad as you think.  Group dynamics are very subtle and one person can change a whole group dramatically.  

I wish you luck at this difficult time, and I hope we will soon hear some more positive news from you.  

Raindance

Thanks for your input Raindance.  I have in fact subsequently met with BC, and it looks like the situation is "on ice" for the time being.  

The business of me and Bossie moving has been dropped for the time being - Bossie has made it quite clear he doesn't want to move and, as he's not governed by BC, BC cannot easily force him to do so.  It is feasible that I could be asked to move and Bossie stay put, but that would defy logic.  

The inspection of my office with a view to reconfiguring for different use: this is a general exercise, and being carried out all across the organisation.  It was just very badly timed.  It was some consolation when the colleague doing the inspection commented reconfiguring my office for alternative use would cost a fortune, and be a complete waste of the money spent on doing it up in the first place!

BC himself was annoyed about the suggestion that I would be working for the new person.  The individual that asked if this was the case is another clerical worker, and has no influence over my workload, so I have no idea what she was playing at.  

BTW, I don't work in what you would call a classic company set up!  Bossie's position is not dependent on profits or performance; he would only lose it through severe misdemeanour.  As my role keeps expanding, little by little, I view that as making my role just that bit more secure also.  

Regrettably I don't think I would be able to change the group dynamic in the main office. The mind-set there is deeply ingrained and a tad old-fashioned.  I wouldn't be working with a group of people, but in an office on my own and probably one tucked away in a corner somewhere where I wouldn't be a nuisance with my bizarre ideas like using Outlook Calendar to manage Bossie's diary ..... get the picture?

I am staying cool and detached! - it's all I can do really.  That, and keep doing my job well, and keep Bossie on my side.

Thanks again for your thoughts.