I switched jobs a month ago, and it’s becoming very clear it was a bait and switch.

Anonymous

April 10,2022 at 3:39PM UTC

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I switched jobs a month ago, and it’s becoming very clear it was a bait and switch. I asked very specific and deliberate questions in the interview process, such as the managers leadership style, how they manage and interact with their team and what was the companies policy on remote work. I even went as far as to share I was seeking to leave my current job because of micromanagement and a return to the office plan and desired to stay remote full time.

Well four weeks in and it’s clear from my own interactions as well as the impression I get from others the manager is a micromanager (and I’m not talking standard onboarding, more like 3-4 sporadic unscheduled check ins a day, being required to keep a running log of everything I do in teams — down to emails I send) and now a return to the office policy that outlines a required 3-4 day in office requirement at the discretion of your manager.

I’m still working PT at my former employer to ease their transition , do I have to include my new job or address it in conversation? Any tips to avoid this in the future, I feel like I was very candid but can’t end up in this position again.

(I am not a frequent “job hopper” and have stayed in my previous roles for 3-7 years).

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AnonymousApril 10,2022 at 5:06PM UTC
Do you have any of their promises in writing? If so I would take it to HR and let them know it's not being adhered to.
AnonymousApril 11,2022 at 6:17AM UTC
Very toxic. Sorry you're in this position but micromanaging is coercive control and illegal in some parts of Europe. There is a reason why laws were created in Europe to prevent this form of abuse.
Michelle S.April 12,2022 at 1:19PM UTC
Really? Interesting. Thanks for the info. I had no clue but I love it! I had a micromanager who actually terminated me in the payroll system because I refused the second daily meeting on a day that I was absolutely slammed. And he said he was keeping me out of payroll system until I met with him. He was awful. And the worst part is for some reason, the Director refused to see it so he was moved around 10 times because of how toxic he was but never termed , Counseled nor stopped being put in management positions.
Cyndi RosenblattApril 11,2022 at 4:48PM UTC
I wouldn't add a short stint at a different job to my resume, especially since you've remained legitimately employed by your previous company during that time.
lyn johnsonApril 12,2022 at 12:17PM UTC
I wouldn't add this job "experience" to my resume. I'd chalk it up to a bad dream, resign and move on. During the past year , one of my team had a similar experience. She called me, as at the time I was her manager, and told me she had made a mistake and asked if there was the possibility of her returning FT. the organization jumped at the opportunity and she is back. I've encouraged her not to allow this bait/switch episode to taint her future career plans.
Christopher StegerApril 12,2022 at 12:39PM UTC
I understand fully. I had a very similar experience I agree with what others have said. Love, learn, and move on.
AnonymousApril 12,2022 at 12:40PM UTC
I would resign and not put the job on my resume.
If possible, can you increase your hours at your old job or just stay part-time while you look for another job? Good luck!
Stacy ParkerApril 12,2022 at 12:51PM UTC
Is it possible to rescind your resignation with your original employer? You may not want to make this full transition if it's not what you desire.
AnonymousApril 12,2022 at 12:56PM UTC
I would address it now with both companies. See if it is possible to go back to your old position, while negotiating a raise, if that is what you want to do.
Gabrielle WonnellApril 12,2022 at 1:07PM UTC
I wholeheartedly agree. I've worked for two micromanagers and neither of them saw that in themselves. I once interviewed for a job where one of the hiring managers outright owned it and I was stunned at the self awareness it showed. I was also grateful, because I rescinded my interest. Most of the time tho, people don't seem to have that self awareness. Managing up is part of any position and it's best to be ready for anything.
AnonymousApril 12,2022 at 1:17PM UTC
Smart you that you're holding on to your old job on a perdiem basis. I would not include the new job on your resume at all. Speak to your old company to see if you
might increase your hours with them then speak to the hiringparties in the new organization about your original understanding about theposition they outlined in tandem with what you thought was your mutual understanding. Put out feelers for new opportunities. You'll be busy juggling a lot.
Michelle S.April 12,2022 at 1:18PM UTC
To your point, if they don’t see that about themselves, how could reframing the question, putting additional listening ears on and re-asking help?
Erin PettApril 12,2022 at 2:05PM UTC
by reframing questions your looking for clues to their “actions” which can be very different from their “words”
for example. What’s your managing style might give you the correct words for not micromanaging.
Followed with how do you monitor progress? “I have them send me hourly progress updates”
AnonymousApril 12,2022 at 1:40PM UTC
There have been quite a few great candidates interviewing at my organization lately, but many have mentioned wanting to get away from the toxic environments they're in. I haven't hired any of them because it's been so clear they would be miserable in our organization.
ANDREA RAGGAMBIApril 12,2022 at 2:27PM UTC
That’s certainly disappointing.
Unfortunately the job seeking process can be a futile effort because we are emotionally invested in finding an environment that we are avoiding based on what we are currently experiencing so we fall victim to confirmation bias and have the tendency to have selective listening and focus around what we want to hear and avoid asking more challenging questions like, what is your company’s attrition rate, why did the person before me leave or what makes you someone people want to work for? Truth is, no one will flat out tell you during an interview that they micromanage or have a lack of trust in employees or fear driven culture but you can ask some pointed questions that put them on the spot and see how they react. Perhaps you can further verify with others who work there. Do more due diligence and seek input from Glassdoor or find people on LinkedIn who used to work there and ask them or, reach out to people who work there now and ask them what pros and cons they have experienced. Either way, in this case it sounds like there was some misunderstanding, miscommunication or flat out lies. You don’t owe them anything so commit to yourself and what you feel will best serve you. Good luck!
GirlBossanova934974April 12,2022 at 2:55PM UTC
I agree with what others have said. See if you can get your old job back or get more hours part time. And see what you can do to get out of where you are at. I speak as a manager and a business owner. I manage my staff via remote status. I look at my phone calls and internet traffic twice per day. I forward all the leads coming in via the phones and internet. BUT frankly if someone were ask me to check in with my employees SEVERAL times per day, check out outbound emails etc, I would tell them to jump off a bridge! Who has time for that? I've got 3 major tech projects in the works, content updates, payroll issues etc to deal with. Companies that have time for that bunch of garbage don't last very long! And last if I found out that one of my managers was doing thing like that, that would be a final warning. One more number like that and it would adios!
Joanne RosenApril 12,2022 at 3:20PM UTC
I'm sorry you are going through that. I've come to realize that, during the Great Resignation, this has become common. In fact, in the past 2 weeks, we have updated resumes for clients who thought they got their dream job only to find it was a nightmare.
What we suggest is networking on LinkedIn with people who work at the company already. Ask them about the management style, etc. Ask if they would recommend their sibling work there. (in other words, would you only wish this job on your worst enemy and not someone you care about?)
You can also check company reviews on Glassdoor. I was working with a client who was actually abusive. As I was researching, I found reviews of his company on Glassdoor. Needless to say, we didn't complete the project. It wasn't worth straining my mental health.
Let me know if we can help create an amazing resume that will help you get the job you deserve. We offer a free analysis of your current resume if you upload it at: https://www.analyticadvantagecc.com
Cheers
Joanne
surfnwriteApril 12,2022 at 3:38PM UTC
No reason to put the nightmare job on your resume. There won't be a gap because you're still at your prior job.
Crystal HowellApril 12,2022 at 3:44PM UTC
I wouldn't them, keep your current job start date. Act as if the other didn't happen, they are just a trial run.
Ellen Smith FaganApril 12,2022 at 4:46PM UTC
This is not a happy place for you. Part of the problem may be fatigue and stress - and the jobs are both fine. Check your health and catch up on rest, vitamins and exercise and off the job fun with folks, etc.
“Change the channel HARD” away from this unhappy scenario for a minute…..til you feel you’ve had some fresh air at least.
THEN:
see if you are able to charm you supervisors a bit - tell them honestly how it Hass been going for you. YOUR JOB is your life, in part, you MAY NOT make yourself an abuse case.
You are experienced and so you know if your boss’ demands of you are overdone. Go look up charming words that work - never hurts. But DO TELL THEM your TRUTH.
Always works best in the end.
If you like the work itself, be prepared to meet them halfway.
God bless. And start your own business part-time ASAP….I was able to do amazing things, even while disabled, because I was mature enough to self-direct and get it all done by Friday - on time, with top integrity, on.budget and joyfully
OKAY?
Karen GongawareApril 12,2022 at 5:12PM UTC
Did you get a contract detailing what you wanted such as remote and working independently? Always get a job description and then build a contract that makes both parties feel good. If you didn't get a contract, well, the employer can switch things however they want. Eh, look for a different job and know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Bradford McCormickApril 12,2022 at 8:28PM UTC
No advice but your case seems unusual. It's usually person leaps without looking and then they are sorry. But you did all the right things -- for the wrong people. You cannot e expected to hire a private detective to go around finding former employees to interview. I usually have advice for people and, of course, advice is cheap. You deserve better and not everywhere is as mendacious as this place, fortunately. There may be positions you wouldn't like but at least many places tell you up front more or less what to expect if you ask a direct question. You deserve better; they do not deserve you. I wish I was a hiring manager but I'm not.
AyianApril 12,2022 at 10:11PM UTC
This is not unusual at all in my experience. Employers with a negative work environment know on some level that it's negative and will sugar coat to get good candidates in. Check companies out on Glassdoor, ask to speak with the team or find them on indeed and ask their opinion on the manager/company/conditions. Beyond that, it's always a crapshoot. Try again and see if you find what you're looking for.
AnonymousDecember 8,2024 at 3:03PM UTC
I agree and it can be hidden by the way we present communication about past negative experiences on platforms like LinkedIn as well. A former micromanager I worked for and I have a decent relationship now that I'm out from under their thumb (I respect their expertise and experience). I regularly interact with their LinkedIn posts and it may appear from outside that we had a great working relationship when they managed me which is far from the truth, but I believe in looking things that stress me in the face and trying to gain better understanding. If a potential employee contacted me directly I would honestly share my experience (both pros and cons) but no one ever has. I see similar engagement from the former managers' other former employees as well.
Angie MartinApril 13,2022 at 11:40AM UTC
I would start looking and let the possible employers know that this position was simply not a good fit. The fact that your former full-time employer is still utilizing you part-time speaks volumes. Any way that they would give a reference for you, either formally or informally? I know that I would definitely give a personal reference to someone in your position.
Krystin MorganApril 13,2022 at 4:57PM UTC
After four weeks, it's unlikely you've got big impacts or accomplishments to share on your resume, so I wouldn't recommend including it.
As for whether to address it, I think you could say that you've decided you're ready for a new challenge so you stepped down to PT at your current company to have time to focus on finding your next move. You don't necessarily need to address this short stint at all!
AnonymousApril 14,2022 at 12:53AM UTC
Sorry to hear.
As to whether or not you should add the new job to your resume, I would not. It has been a short time in the new position, plus you are still a part timer with the previous company. Although there are many positions vacant out there, that does not mean they are good jobs. There is a reason they are vacant. And it is true, most hiring managers don't give out honest opinions about the work environment. Wish you the best in your job search!
Ellen Smith FaganApril 14,2022 at 7:47PM UTC
Do not hesitate to share your truth with the new boss, but be prepared with a clear head and heart full of praise for what is right about job that made you hire on in the first place…..then what you need to STAY.
These issues are GOLD - they teach and guide you for your best future,. Do NOT be intimidated into failing your truth, as some others have suggested - just be positive minded and it should work. Bosses have rules, too, you know. You are not likely to be fired because you need to talk it out and win improvement. The law requires better than that from your good boss. Help him/her do the best job for you, so that you can do the best work
AnonymousOctober 3,2022 at 4:14PM UTC
Sounds like something similar I am going through. The employer/owner lied to me. He brought me in under one job description and really wanted me to do a million other things at the company though is NOT clear about his expectations even though the job description is straightforward. It is frustrating as I am HR and the owner does not listen.
I hope things are better for you now!
Bonnie DilberOctober 4,2022 at 4:17PM UTC
Lots of people lack self-awareness. What one person sees as micromanagement, another sees as "accessible" or "supportive".
I'd drop the job from your resume, extend the date on your old job (you're still working PT) and start a search.
If it somehow comes up, just say you realized quickly it wasn't a match, and you were told that it was remote but they quickly expected RTO so you're resuming your search.
Stephanie LekowskiOctober 5,2022 at 8:24PM UTC
I would rethink joining this firm. I experienced bait and switch in a previous position and wished i had just stayed put. They sound like liars, which is ironic considering how so many employers today demand reference and other checks to make sure potential employees are not lying :-Z...
msjjluv77October 19,2022 at 12:30PM UTC
I am a “frequent job hopper” BECAUSE of situations like this and I am curious why we aren’t talking more about it. I also CANNOT go through this again because it’s the worst!!! My heart hurts for you. But my advice is to leave this job off of the resume, you are still employed with your previous employer. Move on and don’t look back.
AnonymousNovember 1,2022 at 2:45AM UTC
Yes and I would give feedback and examples about that manager in the exit interview. This will only help other people in the future.
Cindy GloverFebruary 6,2024 at 3:18PM UTC
It’s posts like yours that make me think of the possibility of working for yourself?
(That’s a compliment ?)
Cindy GloverFebruary 6,2024 at 3:17PM UTC
Holy micromanaging- I’d loose my mind and job - obviously with the position being new to you, I could understand a quick “how ya doin” and trust you’ll do your job and ask questions if needed - I hope it turns around for you