Fight Fire with All your Arsenal-An office survivor must read part 1
by BeastyInstincts on 25/11/09 at 5:03 am
Being fired from your job is most people biggest nightmare. it’s usually unfair,most of the times there not good reasons for it– manager will come with lame excuses for it-we don’t have more budget,the project was closed due several reasons,the company don’t earn well,blah blah blah. no matter what they tell, remember that its really not your fault-in the opposite you are one of the best workers there is-you salary may be higher than the average, but than again you deserve it. remember you are not just best worker-you are the office survivor-master in office politics.
So, As an example, you work as a consultant from an outsourcing company which provide professional services to financial institutions.
You come one day after working there for 3 months, and one of your team players (that you might even manage) comes and tell you he just heard that the bank decide to close the project.
WOW-Several things immediately come to mind. How did i not heard about it earlier you weren’t there for surviving but to do actually work-come on, what were you thinking-you are the office survivor-master in “office politics”. what going on?How did you let yourself be caught in surprise-how did your radar didn’t;t detected it?well, you were side blinded which mean they manipulated you without you notice it– good for them. you can win them all. And to know about it from your team you manage — double the shame.
And just then, the dreaded call is arrives. its your boss, telling you you must be at his office today at the specific hour-needless to say that his office location is one hour drive from you. what great attack from his side.
BUT
lets go back 2 minutes before the call,you just heard about the situation. take 1 minutes to curse and the second to start planning your actions.
The first thing is to plan plan your action for the call. you know he will call you. the key here is to postpone the meeting for a reasonable time-not 3 months of course but to postpone it never the less-no matter what he suggest. he say lets meet today– you say “no i have my day scheduled in advance fro the next two day-we will need to do it in 3 days from now”.Now, this might work or not-you two may start arguing about the meeting date– but that is exactly what you wanted– show him that you have no fear-you are the office survivor-master in the office politics. most managers wont be prepared for it, only a few ones. it may come even to shouting at each other. see where it takes you, but on every shout he give at you-GIVE HIM BACK TWICE. this is crucial for the negotiation steps.
So, you just gave yourself some days to prepare to meeting– and boy you need it.
in the following days until you meet the boss, there are several action’s you can do:
- Start calling people, Family and Colleges,start inquiring if they know about open job in their office you might fill in. start sending you cv resume all over the world. sign in in to jobs Website and pretty much fill in almost every jib there is. nothing can go wring by doing this. in the opposite — you might asked to come to some places you never though you can get in and get some really good offers, positioning your self much better from you current place.
- if you know the some other managers in the company call them and ask if they have open position that requires your ability. they might have it and you may be transferred. they will do the job for you.
- try the direct manager of your boss, give him a call. explain the situation to him-lie lie lie –be creative as much about the problem’s you have in life and that these problem will increase by firing you. when talking to them be as nice as possible. you are trying to survive and keep your job. use some other people influence on this guy (if you know some) and they will drop good word on you. don’t be surprised if he is unaware of the status of the project and the wired decision his worker (your direct boss)just did(this is true for big company’s –over 1000 workers)
- if you have some friends lawyers– go and talk with them about the implication of your fires. it very recommenced to hear from these guys also. one of them might come up with ‚multi reasons why this firing is not legal and that you may have a case.
- look for some stuff your manager did in the past that may be used against him.
- start talking with your colleges about your manager-the intention is to make him look as bad and ugly person as much. again, don’t hesitate to lie. the office survivor never thing of lies as bad thing when it comes to surviving.
there are several more action you can use till the meeting but we leave it open to our reader comments.
the next article in this issue will present the meeting itself and how to handle it.stay tuned.
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ShadowMaster
Nov 25th, 2009
few things that come up my mind, in the describes example:
1. find out why did the bank decides to close the project — this allows you ways to deal with the meeting with your boss ‚and show him that there other ways to do than closing the project , the bank might want a small change and you can convince your boss that small change is better than having no project.
2. find out if the bank itself has positions that might suits you — once again this will come to your advantages , as you know the job and people so switching from one company to the other but doing the same position allows you 100% fitting right on the start.
3. convince the bank (in case step 2 fails) that what it needs in order to success is to have someone like you and to create this position just for you — at this case you might want to convince the bank that the require position is needed and without somoene doing it, the bank will seek solutions to problems you can prevent.
in both cases (2 and 3) if you manage to get the same position at the bank the meeting with the boss should be fast and easy, you have the cards, and it’s your full house and not his.