Addition of Duties

For the past several weeks I have known of some changes that would be happening at the agency I work for. For the most part it didn't affect that many people directly. However, it does affect me directly. People would think in these economic times, that would mean layoffs. In this case it does not. The agency I work for has actually been doing pretty well and has been paying close attention to the budget cuts that may happen in the mental health field and planning accordingly. I am lucky to work for such a company.

Anyway, the CEO has decided to do some restructuring which required a few people's jobs to change and some people's direct supervisors changed. But again, for the most part, most people are not directly affected by this change. The change that will be happening occurs on July 1 and has been causing me some stress and nervousness for some time. My job will be changing. I will be directing a department instead of managing a program. I did not apply for this position and neither did any of the other people whose jobs are changing. The position I currently have I started just over a year ago and I am not quite sure if I am ready for a promotion. I will be getting an assistant to help me manage the program I currently manage so I can focus on my new responsibilities. (I will totally need the assistant. I haven't officially started my new job yet but I am already starting to get overwhelmed with the extra duties!)

There are tons of pros when it comes to getting a promotion which are not at all what I have been focusing on. I am concerned about how others are going to view my promotion as from an outsider's perspective it looks as if I went after my current supervisor's job. (I will be supervising all but one of the programs she was supervising. She is not loosing her job. Instead, she will be spending a lot of time focusing on one of the responsibilities she already had.) I know I shouldn't worry about what other people think, but I'm going to do it anyway.

Next thing I'm worried about is the fact that now that The Mr. has a job that requires him to work evenings, I have to leave work by 3:45 so I can get home to watch the kids. I am not sure this will be possible with my new position. It's quite possible that I will have meetings that will last until 5pm. We can't live on my salary alone and we can't afford daycare on the salaries we both make at this time.

Concern #3 is the fact that I will be further removed from the clients that I serve. I really enjoy working directly with the clients and helping them meet their goals. As a manager, I have less direct contact with the clients and, instead, I teach and guide staff in the best way to help the clients meet their goals. As a director, I will be even further removed from the clients that we serve.

And the ultimate thing that I am worried about is failing. Yep, I am concerned that I will totally suck at this position and disappoint all the people who put me in this position as well as disappointing my family.

So, as the entire agency hears on Wednesday of the new structure of the company and how I will be placed in a position above those who have been with the agency for many years, please think of me and hope that I don't pass out. Wish me good luck in my new job as I hope I don't run away screaming from all the added stress and responsibilities.