my possible job future with current company [serious]

[jawzforlife]

Been working for this company for 12 years as my first real job. A year and a half ago I moved up from "office manager" to "technician manager". Big difference is now I'm in charge of a department. And right now my department is bringing in less money then it was last year. But it is not only my department, it is all departments at our branch, and the same thing with our sister branch on the other side of the city. It is is not just me. There are a few key factors as to why I think revenue is down, none of which is in my control. I can make sales calls and try to get people to call us for service, but that is about it. So ofcourse when the big wigs up top (i.e. my boss's boss) see that revenue is down they don't care what the reason is, they just want it fixed. So now myself, the other manager and my boss, can try our hardest to correct the situation, but if "they" don't like it, we could be out of here. I have a 3 year old son and a baby due next month. My wife works full time but doesn't get health benefits from her job, so we use the health benefits from mine. Without health benefits I feel we would be screwed. So my question...do I start looking for another job or just hang out and try my hardest everyday with the thought in the back of my head that this could be my last day. I've graduated a 2 year college (for graphic design), but that is nothing that is going to seriously help me to get a new job. I've never really failed in anything ever (not counting buying a townhouse in 2003, that I am now severely under water in). And part of me wants to get out under my terms and find something new before they have a chance to can me. But on the other hand, if I get fired I can get unemployment, maybe stay at home with the kids for a little bit and save money on daycare. I use to not mind going to work everyday, but now when your boss comes in and says "we may all be looking for new jobs soon" it's kind of a bummer.

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[Evilfrog]

You should never not be looking for another opportunity.

[GrdLockV6]

Keep in mind that if you get unemployment, it will be significantly less than what you were actually making at your current job. Or at least that's the case here in Texas.

Personally, if I was in serious fear that my job were in jeopardy, I would at least start looking for other options. No harm in looking. It would be much better to have a head start on finding a new job if you did end up getting canned.

[jawzforlife]

My main concern with leaving now, is health benefits. It my current job, when we higher somebody it takes about 2 months for your health benefits to become active. If I have a newborn baby that needs doctor visits, I'd be nervous I wouldn't be able to get them completed.

[96speed]

Originally Posted by jawzforlife

So my question...do I start looking for another job or just hang out and try my hardest everyday with the thought in the back of my head that this could be my last day.

My advice is to do both. I'd also figure out how you could back to school and get a 4 year degree.

My buddy switched jobs recently and his benefits started the first day of work at his new jobs. Its something else I would consider lining up before switching if that's what you decide to do.

Ryan

[GrdLockV6]

Originally Posted by jawzforlife

My main concern with leaving now, is health benefits. It my current job, when we higher somebody it takes about 2 months for your health benefits to become active. If I have a newborn baby that needs doctor visits, I'd be nervous I wouldn't be able to get them completed.

If you did find someone to hire you, they may be willing to work with you on the health benefits if you explain the situation to them. Some employers are flexible, and if you tell them you have an important need for immediate health benefits and if they feel you're a good fit for their company who won't just up and quit after a month or two, they may give them to you off the bat.

The company I'm with now was like that. When they were hiring me they even asked if I needed health insurance immediately for any reason. I was self-paying for my own insurance though, so I told them not to worry about it and that I would follow their standard 3 month period.

[Blue89Bird]

Originally Posted by Evilfrog

You should never not be looking for another opportunity.

x1000

Get on linkedin and start friending people. Get involved in the forums there. Start networking with friends and former coworkers and college friends.

Its much easier to find a job when you already have one. Future employers are flexible andcan sometimes provides benefits on day 1, my company does. Worse case scenario yu can pay for cobra.

[dtp]

Originally Posted by Blue89Bird

x1000

Get on linkedin and start friending people. Get involved in the forums there. Start networking with friends and former coworkers and college friends.

Its much easier to find a job when you already have one. Future employers are flexible andcan sometimes provides benefits on day 1, my company does. Worse case scenario yu can pay for cobra.

+1 Always keep an eye out for #1, chances are your employer won't. You might get lucky and find something you're a great fit for. Also, like with women, it's usually easier to find another when you already have one.

[jawzforlife]

Lets say for some odd reason my old position opens up. Would I be crazy to step down and take that back? I show up, be responsible for only myself. Do my work and go home at the end of the day. I would not be reprimanded for items out of my control (like I currently am). Much less stressful with more job security.

[LaughingGravy]

I'd say definitely start looking elsewhere, and very importantly, keeping it under your hat in a major way. Do not tell anyone else in your company at all, no matter how friendly you think you might be with them.

Do whatever you can in the meantime to make things better at work, which will also hide any idea that you are looking elsewhere. Don't give them any clue. Show worry.

As for the healthcare thing, my employer had a policy of no health insurance for the first three months for new hires, but they were willing to pay the equivalent of what their contribution would be directly to me from day 1 to supplement the self insurance I was doing until the benefits actually kicked in.
That was easier for them than dealing with the insurance company, and they could be flexible with that, depending on if they liked the new hire.

[LaughingGravy]

Originally Posted by jawzforlife

... Much less stressful with more job security.

I wouldn't count on that, the job security part. So, back up to stressful.
They'll never let you know. One day......pink slip, no matter your fault or not.

[Jim the Nomad]

I have a line saved for these situations:

"You can't fire me, slaves have to be sold!"

Ditto the sentiment on always looking for a new job. Always.

[97QuasarBlue3.8]

Originally Posted by jawzforlife

Lets say for some odd reason my old position opens up. Would I be crazy to step down and take that back? I show up, be responsible for only myself. Do my work and go home at the end of the day. I would not be reprimanded for items out of my control (like I currently am). Much less stressful with more job security.

Let's say that happened. Probably not a good long-term strategy unless you wanted to focus on something else at that company and you had a group of people backing you. But to step down because you don't want the responsibility...and had it...you're finished. You can move up, you can move over, but you can't move back and not be ready to quit at some point.

It sounds like the biggest issue for you is revenue is down and you have a leadership team that seems unphased by cause or reason--if you don't increase revenue, you're fired. I'd hope that the threat is more perceived than real because they should know that things just aren't good. Obviously, everyone needs to be part of the solution and that's where creativity is key. But they should know that they can't just fire you and expect revenue to come in somehow. Anybody they replace you with is going to have the same issue. Welcome to management, buddy, where you can actually go down WITH the company. As an employee, if you fail, you get fired or laid off. As a manager, you can fail, but in this case, it sounds like you're trying to hang on as the ship goes down. That would be MY reason for wanting to leave...especially if there was nothing I could do about it.

Always keep an iron in the fire somewhere. If you don't have one, go put one in now. LinkedIn, networking, start putting your feelers out.

[Dave K]

I'd say if you feel at risk then you should definitely be preparing... that may include an actual job search. Earlier in my career I was an 'always looking' guy, went through 4 companies in my first 8 years out of school, each change included a substantial salary/benefit/responsabilities kick (even when I was running from a foundering company... which I did twice). The last company I joined however is a large stable multinational (that has made sure I never felt undercompensated) and I've never felt the urge to make a move (15 years this year). I think the odds of me finding a better job (all around) is well below even, so the numbers say "stay put". I've not refreshed my resume in 10 years and have no reason to at this point.

You need to take these situations one at a time, and decide based on your risk taking behavior where the right balance is between moving or staying put.

[jawzforlife]

Originally Posted by Dave K

You need to take these situations one at a time, and decide based on your risk taking behavior where the right balance is between moving or staying put.

I am far from a risk taker. I've always played it safe.