Ever feel like your workplace is falling apart?

Anonymous

October 5,2023 at 7:08PM UTC

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Ever feel like your workplace is falling apart?

I don't know quite how to describe what's going on, but it's starting to feel like there's a lack of control and interest in what needs to get done. The people I've been relying on for support have checked out. Or they seem to expect me to do their jobs for them. For example, one of these managers should be planning weekly meetings for the leadership team to ensure a project we're working on is completed on time. Instead, she's taken a giant step back and isn't booking anything. Then she said out of nowhere that I'm the one who should be handling the project. I had no idea. It wasn't even delegated to me.

I feel like they're just all tossing around hot potatoes and seeing who catches them. For those who have worked for large corporate orgs, what does all of this tend to signify? Bad morale? Heads about to roll? Several people in the section have also resigned over the past month.

Also, another manager who should be supporting projects seems to have checked out and is always taking leave. As a result, I really no longer have any direction. At our last meeting, he sounded as if he didn't even care what did or didn't get done. And again, something he was responsible for was just ignored.

Get out ASAP?

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AnonymousOctober 5,2023 at 7:12PM UTC
Fatigue and complete lack of leadership.
There is an element of Fatigue that sets in when no clear authority and no accountability is present. It has a momentum of it's own and it's insidious and hard to put right.
I would start looking around.
AnonymousOctober 5,2023 at 7:52PM UTC
My last place was a situation of the more I did, the more was expected. It was NEVER enough.
I ended up leaving when I was yelled at for doing the work of others and criticized
AnonymousOctober 5,2023 at 9:09PM UTC
OP here. I do feel like I could very well be set up to screw up. If I do something, I'm in trouble. If I don't, I'm in trouble. They do seem to expect a lot but do not want to provide much direction or support. I've been working for actings, too, so I imagine that's part of the problem. They're keeping the seat warm but do not want to put in more work than they need do (and my not even like their roles).
AnonymousOctober 5,2023 at 9:13PM UTC
Whatever it is, it generally means that changes are coming. What those are is speculation. Your best course is to keep your head down and do your job. It can be hard with a checked-out boss, but keep all documents outlining what you need to do.
AnonymousOctober 6,2023 at 1:11PM UTC
My workplace has had the feeling of falling apart over the last year. Different ways than yours but I'm feeling it. I love my job, I enjoy the people I work with. But I'm more actively searching for a new role than had been 6 months ago.
Elizabyth HarringtonOctober 6,2023 at 5:31PM UTC
It sounds like the company is about to do some major restructuring and these folks are actively job-hunting. The fact that several other people have already left speaks to this as well. Generally when there seems to be an exodus going on there's a reason for it. My advice to you is to find something else sooner rather than later.
AnonymousOctober 7,2023 at 12:38PM UTC
Someone suddenly taking leave could be something health related. Trust me on this.
AnonymousOctober 7,2023 at 3:53PM UTC
Yes-yes-yes to your questions. When one person checks out or leaves, it is usually about them. When you see multiple people leaving, quiet quitting, it is the company culture.
If you see folks management level or above that are checking out, strong suspicion that they know something is happening with the company- reorg, merger, closing, etc. that you don’t and are treading water until they find something better to not jeopardize potential severance or unemployment.
Either way..doesn’t look good.
Cindy GrossOctober 8,2023 at 4:00PM UTC
Take on some of those responsibilities above your current responsibilities so you can list them on your resume. #BefriendingDragons
AnonymousOctober 9,2023 at 1:10PM UTC
You could be talking about my company as well, now it's possible that we both work at the same place, or this could be a symptom of what is happening around a lot of big companies. I think a lot of people are feeling like there is little point to knocking themselves out anymore. Working harder has not equated to promotions or money for most people, meanwhile they see others working half as much get moved up in the ladder. The pandemic and the shift in how work was being done has changed people's priorities. Companies and their jobs are not as important as before.
I know for my company a lot of it is moral. When the pandemic hit, we went 100% remote immediately. People got used to it, the lack of commuting, the comfort of being at home. Now the company is demanding people come back and many are resistant to going back to the 10-14hr days, I'm including commuting time, and working in an office.