one moment of patience

During Wednesday’s all departmental meeting, Mr Bossman provided the quarterly update for drug safety. So far this year, my department has processed 8,635 cases and, with an average of 900 cases/month, will have processed 11,335 cases in 2009. He cited this as a 35% increased workload this year. He went on to acknowledge the complaints of staff being stretched to the limit, thanked us, and assured us that requisitions for increased heatcount had been submitted.

The following day however, Ms. Bosslady informed us headcount was being scrutinized. Furthermore, she noted that since we had been able to keep up with the workload, we would just have to make do. [roll eyes and scan room for reaction] Not one person in the room complained.

I am told that staff has learned to shut up. Previous complaints to senior management and/or human resources have only led to reprimand and humility. It’s sad because I imagine that if all 75 of us banned together in protest, HR would finally realize that there is something seriously wrong with leadership. Of course this is easier to say when one is on her way out.

Those of us who have been interviewing have grown tired of the waiting game. These days, it seems to take eons to get through the approval process at the few business who are hiring. But I also know, from the prior go round, that companies these days want to know if you’ve lost interest but they do not feel obliged to do the same. So even though I’ve been pretty confident that the two companies I’ve targeted do want me, I’d considered sending out my resume to another company if I didn’t hear anything this week.

Fortunately for me, I did hear something. Both companies called me to convey their intent to make me an offer in the coming week. I’m hoping that at least one of these offers is one that I cannot refuse.

The two positions I’ve interviewed for each take my career in a different direction. Although both would be challenging and fulfilling, one currently feels like the better fit.

I’m not sure if it right to assess a company on the HR representative but, given the way HR at Company G ignores the complaints of the employees, I am taking my interaction with HR into consideration. One has to wonder if similar struggles could crop up with the company whose HR rep has repeatedly failed to keep both me and the hiring manager informed. In fact, the hiring manager (whose friendship and professional work ethic is why I’d like to work there) is getting a bit fed up with the bureaucracy involved in trying to hire a new team. She is wondering if her vision for change might be met with the same resistance. Quite honestly, I’m wondering the same thing.

On the other hand, the other company seems to have a focus for filling the position — as they should with the aggressive timelines they have planned. Instead of many phone interviews, stretched across several weeks, they put me through four hours of face-to-face interviews. One week later, they are ready to give me an offer.

If there was any hesitation about the career move for the second company it would be the fact that I, after working in drug safety for over 2 years, would be looked upon as a more senior member of the clinical team. I would have to quickly come up to speed on the product pipeline, current regulations relating to clinical trials, and so much more. Additionally, I would be required to do some traveling to check in on the research sites…. although my day-to-day commute would be short.

There is a lot to consider. Still, I am curbing my enthusiasm until I have offers in-hand. As much as I’d love to give my letter of resignation, I have some restraint. I need to have a done deal before I move to that step. I can’t wait… but MUST.

One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life. – Chinese Proverb