Posted: Feb 4, 08 10:46pm
Greetings:
I am a software solutions architect / developer / project manager. The company I have worked for 4yrs 3mos decided back in September that it is going to go to a 3rd party application service provider for our operations platform instead of continuing with our custom developed solution. I have been told that my job will be eliminated after the migration to the 3rd party platform is completed.
Who is responsible from a technical standpoint for the migration to the 3rd party platform? Me. I'm not being pretentious or arrogant when I tell you the company would have a difficult, if not impossible time performing this migration with any likelihood of success without my dedicated, highly skilled, and professional involvement in the migration. But here's the kicker. I have not been given any severance package thus far, nor was I paid a stay on bonus to complete the migration. All I know is that my boss tells me I'll have 2-3 months notice before I'll be gone, I approached our so called HR manager about this a few weeks ago and he feigned ignorance about my departure, and said he knew nothing of it. I told him I needed some details about the company's plans and that I needed to discuss getting a severance package under the circumstances. A week later I approached him and was told 'it's all been taken care of', but I couldn't get a straight answer as to what that meant and I was still not presented with a severance package, stay on bonus, etc. So, I sent an email to the HR manager and cc'd my boss stating that I need the specifics of their proposal in writing. I did so 12 days ago and have not yet given a response, other than to be told by my boss it was discussed at an executive meeting (yet the owner of the company was not present at this meeting) and that there was agreement in principal, but that of course, the owner had to approve anything blah blah blah.
So, at this point I'm feeling like I'm being told I'm expected to dutifully jump out the back of this plane without a parachute. I can't just afford to quit, and I've been somewhat apprehensive about looking for a new job because I don't want to burn a bridge and I truly want, in spite of their treatment of me thus far, the migration to be successful. Yet, I need to be taken seriously, and I need some compensation beyond the paycheck for my efforts. I think you get the picture.
I could really use some advice, strategy, etc from those of you out there that have practical HR experience in small (< 100 employee), privately held companies where the principals do not fully appreciate nor understand the job duties or level of skill provided and necessary for my job functions, as well as any advice from any of you that have dealt with similar situations.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and input.
Best Regards,
D
