© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
Worthwhile to look back?
I need some advice. Earlier this year my employer transferred me from a long term assignment at the request of the client. This was after I had been unanimously selected to take on this role by the client board of directors just six month earlier. I was told that the board of directors of the client organization voted to remove me, but I have a feeling it was the President of that board, with whom I worked closely, who drove the final decision. She is known for her mercurial temperament (I am being polite here). Without going into details, I have a solid reputation in my field, and for over 2 decades have prided myself on being able to work productively with all kinds of clients.
A few months later my employer laid me off due to COVID. So, I am no longer with any of my former bosses or colleagues to make an effort to find out what really happened and whether I did something egregiously wrong to anger the client (my former employer stood behind me, but it was either take me off the project or lose client goodwill).
I have all kinds of self doubt now. Should I just let this go, and move on? Or is there something to be gained by trying to learn if I made some fatal error?
User deleted comment on 10/28/20 at 11:54PM UTC
Abigail Church
Organizational Development Professional
97
10/28/20 at 11:19PM UTC
I believe asking for feedback is always worthwhile. That said, I would ask once and leave it at that. Most employers are careful about the feedback they provide out of fear what they say can be used against them in a lawsuit. This typically results in what feedback they do give being not very helpful.
Anonymous
10/28/20 at 10:58PM UTC
Good question, asking if I would learn anything useful by looking back. Thank you!
Kristen Rock Star Administrator
56
10/28/20 at 10:47PM UTC
First and foremost, I'm sorry to hear about the layoff. I'm in the same situation. Now, I have mixed feelings about offering any singular piece of advice regarding if you should try to find out if there is an "other than COVID" reason for said layoff. Your admission of self doubt indicates you are an individual with high integrity-which is awesome-but also maybe a little sensitive-which is sometimes bad. If you truly believe that knowing the answer to that question will help you, then ask for feedback. Only you know if there is something to be gained by attempting to glean that information. Good luck!
Lauren Gunter
31
10/28/20 at 9:43PM UTC
It's likely you will never know for sure. Office politics can be difficult to dissect after leaving a position (regardless of the type of departure).
Reflect back on how you handled the situation from your perspective. What did you learn? How do you want to handle it if you encounter this type of situation in the future?
The path ahead is full of possibilities! Try not to spend your energy on the past, but look for what you want from your next opportunity.
Anonymous
10/28/20 at 10:56PM UTC
I will do the reflection you suggest. Thanks!
Karen MullinSr. Quality Consultant for Biotech and Pharma
195
10/28/20 at 9:39PM UTC
We are so hard on ourselves, aren't we?
Allow yourself one solid, brutally honest lookback at your time with that client. Examine both professional output and personal interactions. Write down successes and potential mistakes. Brainstorm some ways the mistakes could have been avoided or managed better and add those solutions/behaviors to your toolbox.
Next, recognize TWENTY YEARS of hard work, professional development, and successes.
And then let this particular client experience go. It is absolutely entirely possible, even likely, that you were the fall-guy for somebody else's failure. It stinks, but it happens to contractors/consultants all the time.
The current circumstances are terrible, across the board, across the country, and across the world. This pandemic has impacted everything. Please recognize circumstances beyond your control as just that. Millions of people were laid off due to COVID-19, and at least 5 million of those jobs have not come back. Don't conflate the unfortunate client outcome with your layoff, they are not related.
Twenty years of experience will get you back to work soon, just don't let your fundamental confidence be crushed by company politics. It's not you, it's them! ;)
Best of luck!
Anonymous
10/28/20 at 10:56PM UTC
Thank you for the wisdom!
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.