work graduation, work promotion

[cateyespecks]

So two months ago, the director of our program resigned. I had worked with her for just over a year (she hired me), and she had quite a few issues in her work performance and conduct, due to what I think was mostly her self-esteem and past traumas. Both of these issues unfortunately bled into her work, and caused inappropriate interactions or inaction (to important issues/topics) with both our residents and our staff. She received some corrective action from her supervisors, and within a week, chose to put in her resignation. After the resignation, sadly she either flat out said or alluded to negative things about our program and the administration, twisting the facts to appear as the victim. It was a shame. I truly don't think anyone had bad feelings towards her as a person, but people saw the issues, and I just think this was not the right time for her to be in the role that she was in. She has a lot of growth to do.

Anyway... recently we had a resident approaching graduation from our program (she actually graduated today). Typically our program is about two years, and so when they are graduating, we ask the woman to select who she would like to invite to her graduation party (which we host). In addition to her very supportive family, the woman who graduated wanted to invite a few former and current employees, including the former director. Not at all a surprise, and totally appropriate. Seeing the former director was really nice today. I did not sense any awkwardness from anyone, which I was so glad about. After all, we weren't gathering for any of us, we were gathering for this woman who had worked so hard for two years to climb out of addiction, work on herself in multiple therapies, work on life skills, get multiple job offers, and get an apartment of her own. I did not even see her at her lowest, as I've only been there for the last 15 months or so, but I could not be any prouder of her.

This past week leading up to the graduation celebration, my current supervisor mentioned that I ought to give a speech at the graduation luncheon. I get nervous with that kind of stuff. Ultimately I always do well enough, but the lead up to public speaking engagements always makes me a bit anxious. And today the ED and my supervisor are like, "And you're gonna start us out." Haha, I just rolled with it. Luckily I had prepared something touching, but also really funny to speak about to the graduate. The audience and the graduate were cracking up and liked the speech/story. I was relieved it went over so well. The whole party was really lovely, I couldn't have asked for a nicer afternoon for her. She really deserved it.

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As a side note, for the last month or so, I've been in loose negotiations to take the director role. We have done without someone in that role the last couple months, because we were still recovering from the director leaving (and the mini dramas that came of that), as well as working to discharge one woman and bring in another. It's just been busy, and we wanted to catch our breath before throwing someone new into that director role. I had a couple residents and employees come to me to see if I was going to take the role, and I would be very non-committal and tread lightly. Honestly, I wasn't 100% sure I wanted it, since I love my current job so very much. But over time, in talking with my supervisor and the ED on several occasions, I think I'm very likely going to take it. I just need to negotiate salary, and then we can determine when I'd transition over. We'd also need to find and train someone to work my current job.

Comments

[coffeetime]

Well, this sounds promising - I hope it works out for you!

[cateyespecks]

Thank you, I do too! I think there's always that slight feeling of anxiety when you start a new job, of like... what if I am making a mistake? What if I don't like the job? I think some of that is alleviated in my case, because I have worked for this org for over a year now, so I know it'll be fine. But I really love the role I'm in, so I fear I'll love this one less.

[coffeetime]

Your job sounds challenging but more because that whole field of work is challenging - it seems to me you'll do fine when you level up.

[jajalala]

Congratulations to the graduate! That's so wonderful for her. I'm glad the old director was able to come by and it wasn't too awkward.

I would be nervous about doing a speech too, I'm glad it went well. Good luck with potentially taking on the director role--I hope they can give you a good salary increase!

[cateyespecks]

Thanks for the wishes/luck on the new role panning out. I am not even sure what's a fair salary in this new role. I am due for my annual raise in the next month or so, and then after I receive that, we will start talking salary increase for the new role.

When I first started at this org, I negotiated a 25% salary increase on their initial offer, and they took it. So, I feel they would work with me if I felt their offer was not enough. (That's more than I can say from my last employer, who I was with for 13 years, and they never paid me well). As my husband always says, sometimes to give yourself a raise, you need to change employers. I am so glad I moved to where I am at now.

[vysila]

What a challenging and rewarding professional life you have! Congratulations to the graduate for turning her life around and congratulations to you on the part you played in that journey. It must be amazing to see the positive effect you have on someone's life.

I'm sorry that you and your colleagues had to deal with such an unhappy situation with your former director, but it sounds like it was best for all that she resign. For her, for you and the rest of the staff and particularly for the residents. Sounds like it was handled so well, with no recriminations or overly bad feelings. That's an impressive achievement!

Yay to the successful speechifying and what sounds like a very nice graduation party! Public speaking can be challenging at times, hooray that your presentation went well.

And how excellent that you might be looking at a promotion to take on that directorship. From what little I know of you and the work, it sounds like it would be a good fit and a positive move for your facility and people involved. I wish you much luck in your negotiations and plans for the future.

[cateyespecks]

Thanks! I absolutely love my current workplace. It really is fun, challenging, and rewarding. I've always worked in "helping professions," it's truly where my talents lie. Particularly with clients who can be challenging at times.

Yes, it was for the best that former director chose to resign. I certainly felt for her, but even the way she left (saying inappropriate things about our org to outside providers and our women) really drove home how the role was not a good fit for her at this point in her life. I was so glad that yesterday when she was with the group at the party, that things were not weird, and it seemed things had smoothed over. She's so happy at her new job, which brings my joy for her.

Thanks for the positive vibes for the new role. I think it's natural to have a few anxieties when starting a new role (for me, it's a fear of not liking the new role and regretting leaving my current role, which I adore). BUT the thing that gives me comfort is, I know the organization well, I love my current team, and I know I am capable of doing new and exciting things. Fingers crossed it all works out in salary negotiations.

[vysila]

I saw another comment of yours where you said you did negotiate a higher salary when you took this job, so that sounds like they are willing to work with you on a salary for the new position. And obviously they think well enough of you to offer you the job in the first place. I hope that this all works out and that you find, as time goes on, that you love the new position as much as the one you have now.

[nanila]

Fingers crossed for the new opportunity to pan out!

[cateyespecks]

Thank you, I do too! I think there's always that slight feeling of anxiety when you start a new job, of like... what if I am making a mistake? What if I don't like the job? I think some of that is alleviated in my case, because I have worked for this org for over a year now, so I know it'll be fine. But I really love the role I'm in, so I fear I'll love this one less.