Need to get away from a bad situation and ask for a transfer

Anonymous

January 6,2023 at 8:27PM UTC

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Need to get away from a bad situation and ask for a transfer

The team I'm on has taken a toxic turn for the worst. I'm now working under someone who is micromanaging all of my work and I feel like I have a few months before she creates and paper trail on me pushes me out. She's obviously creating her own team to take over my duties and I see myself becoming obsolete. There's a job available in another division that is one step below mine but I think it could be a good move career-wise. What's the best way to approach this with my supervisor. I think she knows it's getting ugly there. I know she'll question why I'd take something that's a demotion. Honestly, though, I think I'd be happier in this new role.

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AnonymousJanuary 6,2023 at 8:29PM UTC
OP here again. Everything has been fine for the last few years. I received great reviews but the manager I had reported to retired and I'm now left without anyone on my side.
Robin LampertJanuary 6,2023 at 9:19PM UTC
As much as possible, stick to the truth without speaking badly of your current manager.
Explain why it's a "good move career-wise" - is it a growth area? or something you're interested in doing? to explain why you'd accept a lower position.
You could also say that your current position is moving in a direction that is of less interest and say, as you told us, "I think I'd be happier in this new role." without saying it's because of the micromanager. (Although you can make a point of your ability to work without much supervision.)
Good luck!
Tracey MorrisJanuary 6,2023 at 9:25PM UTC
Often taking a step back for an alternate career path or for more potential opportunity is totally worth it. I think you can discuss this with your supervisor without disclosing your concerns about the toxic environment unless you feel very comfortable sharing your experience with her. Being happier is beyond worth it!
AnonymousJanuary 6,2023 at 10:03PM UTC
Totally worth going for the other role even if step down. It’s much easier to move within same company than find new job externally. Put a positive spin on it with your supervisor about how you would be good fit and develop skills in that new role and lack of growth in current role. Also mention it would give you more autonomy and chance to build your project ownership skills ( this is a polite way of saying it would not be micromanaged)
Depending on your relationship with your supervisor and if they are aware of the situation you could say you don’t have as much autonomy in current role as you would like and has been growth has been stifled there (without mentioning word micromanagement). Also that your current knowledge skills would help you ramp up quickly in new role ( as most companies would rather take an existing employee than external candidate as you are already familiar with company and experienced)
good luck and hope it all works out!
AnonymousJanuary 6,2023 at 10:57PM UTC
Then that's all the reason you provide. It's for your mental well-being and you are committed to staying with the company.
AnonymousJanuary 7,2023 at 5:17PM UTC
I think you shouldn't hesitate taking the other position.
doesn't worth wasting your energy in a toxic environment. Good luck dear :)
Mary PoolJanuary 8,2023 at 3:30PM UTC
If you are not happy, you are not happy. You can go about leaving in two ways. The first is being factual about the situation, with no emotions, no innuendos, just facts. The second way is to say that you think you will find this new position more in line with your career goals. Despite the good review you noted below, it might be wise to look at this option. New positions don't open up all of the time. Personally, I'd go with option two, so you don't burn any bridges.
Melissa HacheyJanuary 9,2023 at 1:26PM UTC
Take the other position!!! It’s not worth your mental health to stay in that toxic environment.
Rosey Rosetty-WagnerJanuary 9,2023 at 1:35PM UTC
Having jumped from one toxic workplace to another out of urgency, I encourage you to follow your instincts and go somewhere you can more authentically be happy doing your work even if it means a temporary demotion. However, if I could do it again, I’d ask more questions. Vet your potential transfer as best you can by subtly asking about culture in that office. Gauge your chemistry and comfort with the people you speak to from that office, if plausible. If it requires relocation, I think it’s even more important to consider the new office’s work culture especially since that is your friction point in your current position. Wishing you the very best in resolution!!
GirlBossanova934974January 9,2023 at 1:50PM UTC
I took an inter company transfer back 10 years ago. I NEVER asked my current supervisor at the time if I could take the transfer. I actually liked my current supervisor at the time. It was our division which was losing money hand over fist! The layoffs were just the corner and I got out just in time. My take? Sign up for interview with the other division ASAP! IF ANYONE at the other division asks why you are transferring, make something up about the other division's product line or it matches your skillsets a lot better or you heard GREAT things about them. Whatever you do, DO NOT say a thing about your current manager. You are on your way out the door........As your current manager wants you out anyways, that will save her some time so she can better wreck her department! ONE THING I have learned over the years is that you never ever stick around a lousy manager. It rubs off on you.
AnonymousJanuary 10,2023 at 12:21PM UTC
Yes! Just because someone makes a statement or asks a question does not mean it needs a response or an answer.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 2:37PM UTC
I’m always troubled by the idea that a job that is at lower level is a demotion. Professional growth and new experiences are more valuable than a title. Go for the new job and get out of the bad situation. Good luck.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 2:43PM UTC
You can say even though it would technically be a demotion, you view it as a better progression on where you’d like to take your career. And then tell them how your experience would benefit them. Remember, it’s all about what you can do for the new group. Do not say anything about your mental well being, etc. Just make it about where you want to take your career and what you can contribute.
Dcre1977January 9,2023 at 2:59PM UTC
If anyone asks, you are broadening your experiences to be a more valuable employee
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 4:17PM UTC
It dumbfounds me to read these accounts about how childish many working environments have become.
I grew up in a different generation where employees got along, had fun together.
Maybe I'm naive, maybe I was lucky to have respectful multigenerational leaning environments, or maybe I grew a out of a job and moved on before the proverbial stuff hit the fan.
It's sad to read how exceptional employees get put through the ringer washer.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 5:51PM UTC
2 ways to approach this, one is be direct tell her how you feel and let her know you are looking internally for a trsanfer and that you would like her support to make that move. Perhaps she just feels professionally threatened by your tenure and the fact that you are more established than her. Alternatively, you can perhaps suggest that you noticed a change in the way you are working with her and provide examples of how better to work together. Go soft make it conversational and see if she responds favorably. Additionally either way that you go do apply internally- if you are in good standing before she puts you on a pip- performance improvement plan, you should speak to HR about proper protocol for making a move. Let HR know your motivation is to help her be successful and that you are concerned that she is trying to move you out and you are committed to staying in the company but perhaps under a new leader where you can work more freely (better than saying micromanaged). If you don't get support from either way look elsewhere.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 6:18PM UTC
I went through this exact same thing and I took the transfer! Since my transfer date in July of 2022, my mental health, my attitude, my SLEEP, my migraines, my EVERYTHING has been better. There's no reason to stay loyal to someone who is treating you badly. Especially not when you have another option. Like another commenter said, just make up a reason about your skillset. No need to get into the nitty gritty. In fact, I wouldn't even bring it up unless it's to HR.
AnonymousJanuary 9,2023 at 9:39PM UTC
It is called a Career Pivot when discussing. A Manager I knew said, sometimes you have to step sideways and slightly backwards to move forward. Be sure to look on FairyGodBoss for Career pivot articles as well as on the web. There are a lot, but just a few will help you to frame your discussion and set you on your path with confidence.