Dear Joan:

I enjoy reading your columns and have learned a lot about workplace issues and how to deal with them. But, currently, I have a situation and that I just do not know how to go about overcoming.

I have been working in this company for almost 6 years, in the same group. I feel it is about time that I change to a different group and learn different things. When I first went to the open house before I got hired by this company, one of the recruiting managers told me that the company encourages employees to move around within the company.

So, I spent a few years in this group but at the same time, I got certified in some new skills and also got my Master's Certificate in Project Management. Now, I would like to move to a Project Management role but my manager does not like the fact that I am interviewing outside his group.

Things were going okay until the day I told him that I was interested in moving out of his group. He started showing his discontent in many ways, but most important, he has not assigned me new projects for the last 3 months. He also keeps telling me that there is a position in the office coming up and he is afraid to give me any project, because he thinks I am "leaving the group any way". Also, several promising interviews mysteriously turned into no offers. I am wondering if he is trying to block my leaving, although there is no way to tell if he is saying something negative to the hiring managers.

In the last performance review, he wrote negative remarks but later retracted his statements saying he "jumped the gun". He has also not approved my tuition for classes, and yet he has been approving other´s tuition. He has raised his voice at me, in front of others and makes excuses

for team members even if they are clearly wrong. The company also has a weird policy that prior to interviews; we should have a talk with our manager. This is fine, but what can be done with unscrupulous managers like I have, who clearly misuse the power. It seems like he is bent on "getting even" with me for having "dared to leave his group". If he cannot have me, no one else can, appears to be his motto.

I do not know what to do at this point. Is this harassment? Should I contact HR and talk about the manager or should I file a formal complaint about this? or worse, should I file a lawsuit against the company? Should I talk to HR and tell them to transfer me out of the group, or else I would resign? I really do not want to leave the company but just want to go to a different area for a change. Please advise! I really appreciate your feedback!

Answer:

I have seen cases like this before, where a manager reacts to a departure like a personal rejection. These managers appear to have a skewed idea about "loyalty." For example, several years ago I knew an entrepreneur who threw a long-time employee out the front door the day the long-time employee told the owner he was accepting another job. The owner said, "How could you do this, after everything I´ve done for you?" What´s worse, he publicly criticized the departed employee, which soured all the remaining employees. Several others left a few months later. Sadly, the owner, like your manager, felt betrayed. 

In your case, your manager is denying you opportunities to work on projects because he believes you will leave in the middle of the job. He has also cut off your tuition refund money since he feels he will never reap any benefits of your continuing education. Unfortunately, his short-sighted and self-centered view may cost the company a valuable employee, should you decide to leave the company altogether.

This is one of the reasons most interviewing employees don´t say a word to their manager until they get an offer. In the case of an interview occurring within the company, the manager usually knows about it and supports it, recognizing that trying to prohibit an employee´s transfer backfires. The trapped employee will leave, one way or the other.

Your career is being negatively affected by your manager´s inappropriate behavior. I recommend that you set up an appointment with the HR manager and explain that you would like to move to another area within the company. Tell him or her exactly what has been happening since you announced your intentions. Your manager is already retaliating against you in subtle ways and I would express your concern that he may be killing your chances at internal positions. Ask for assistance with your job transfer. You have little to lose, since your career growth has been blocked.

Don´t threaten to resign. Simply say that you like the company and are looking for something different. At the same time, start interviewing for outside positions. If the HR manager mishandles this situation and your situation gets worse, run, don´t walk to another company.

Joan Lloyd is an executive coach, management consultant, facilitator and professional trainer/speaker.  Reach her at Joan Lloyd & Associates, (800) 348-1944, info@joanlloyd.com or www.JoanLloyd.com © Joan Lloyd & Associates, Inc.

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