I work in broadcasting. I have had this particular position for the past 5+ years, and I’ve been with the company for six. It’s a great company, the pay is good, and the bennies are fantastic.
However, I am starting to experience ennui. I have expressed to my boss a desire to work in another department, to spread my wings and apply my skills and expertise to another aspect of the business. I am hoping that they will create a position for me, since the man I want to work for is in desperate need of help. He and I have lots of interaction throughout the day, and he is very open to the idea of my going to work directly for him, and I know I can learn a lot from him.
The catch is, no one does my job as well as I do. When I take a day off I get at least two calls from work asking questions. I had a very good review and a nice raise recently. My boss is very supportive, and has arranged cross-training to expose other employees in the department to my job, with an eye toward allowing someone else to apply when I move.
We’ve hit a snag. The first employee I’ve been training has said that although she is fine with being my backup when I’m vacation, she does not want to take over part of my job function. I spoke to my boss, and we will continue to cross-train other employees. Apparently, my replacement is of grave concern to the higher-ups, and I get the impression that unless the replacement is solid, my move may be delayed.
So, in effect, I feel I am being punished for being a whiz at my job. People are afraid of what will happen if I move. I’m glad my boss is supportive of my ambitions, but I feel somewhat trapped. I don’t want to leave the company at all, but I feel like I’m starting to stagnate.
How can one person be that critical to a company? I know the place won’t fall apart if I move, but how can I convince the higher ups?
Speaking from experience, you can’t. You have to force them to realize that fact. How you do that depends upon your circumstances. My best advice is to make sure you train all your underlings so that they know the job as well as you do. Then threaten them with bodily injury if they “forget” anything you’ve taught them.
You’re good at your job, and they don’t want you to leave; it sounds like you’re in the position to call the shots. Is there a way you can kind of bridge between the two positions, or will this lead to you being inevitably dragged back to your old job? Is what you do kind of specialized? Can you hire someone younger, just out of school or out of an apprenticeship (who’ll probably be cheaper, too) and train them into your position while you migrate over?
It sounds like your boss is clear and understanding both about your intentions and your ennui about your current job. Can you make him convey this up the chain; that if they don’t support you that they are risking having you burn-out?
And might I add that I ENVY YOU TREMENDOUSLY!!! :o
Sorry. It’s just that the last time I was in a job where I was considered irreplacible, I was coding software for my university at $6.75/hour. A decades-worth of cubicle farming and a string of bankrupt or downsizing employers later, where engineers are considered interchangable commodities has left me somewhat slight in enthusiasm for my career. It’s nice to see someone else doing well in theirs.
In any case, good luck.
Stranger
Sometimes the only thing you can do is hint around that they have the choice of two options: having you in the position you want to be in or not having you at all. It’s a bit of a drastic step to take (especially since you seem to enjoy the people at your current position), but if it gets to the point where you really do feel burnt out, there’s not a whole lot of options at your disposal. If you are truly a valued employee (which you appear to be), they’ll be willing to bend over backwards to keep you.
Be thankful that your company is at least attempting to get a replacement trained. I know a guy who was offered a management position at the company and was flat out told he couldn’t take it because he was too important in his staff position. He couldn’t tell them to piss off and get a new job, because that would tank his retirement plan, too close to the 30 year magic date. They had him by the balls and squeezed.
As long as they are trying to get someone trained and your move is merely delayed rather than prevented, you shouldn’t get all in a twist. It is completely fair for them to ask you to wait until your replacement is ready to go. What kind of timeframe are we looking at? If the search for your replacement has taken 2 months, that’s a long time to wait, 2 weeks… not so long.
I don’t have a time frame yet. We’re exploring the abilities of the current employees, and I believe it may be possible to hire from outside the company.
No, somone straight out of college could not do my job. Before my last boss left, she asked us all to write out what we did on a daily basis. I was somewhat amazed at my list, since I had no idea of everything I do. I come in, check the e-mail, and proceed with my tasks for the day, dealing with issues as they come up. I’m sure it may seem overwhelming to someone who’s not sitting at my desk, but to me, it’s just my job.
The support of your new manager is key. Get the new manager to “pull” you into the new position. Get to the point where you are doing both jobs, then gradually have so many valuable, important things to do in the new role that you really can’t do both.
Also, regarding the potential replacement you were looking at, is it just one part of the job function she doesn’t want to take over? Would it be realistic to split the job functions among a couple different people? For example, she takes over your job and her replacement is hired to do her job plus the part of your job she doesn’t want?
We have discussed splitting up my job functions, but there still needs to be a point person, as it is a manager position.
I’ll get this done. It’s just a little frustrating to discover that the first thought in upper management’s mind is “How the hell do we replace you?” Flattering, but frustrating.
Good advice.
Then, once you’ve done that, take a three week vacation somewhere where they can’t call you. They’ll learn that they can survive without you in that slot, without you having been gone so long that they’ll conclude they don’t need you at all.