I’m looking for some advice. I have my own thoughts (imagine that!) about this situation and have been going back and forth with what, if anything, to do. So your feedback will be greatly appreciated in helping me finalize an approach on how to handle this.
A couple of months ago I interviewed a tech writer, explained the job and her specific role in detail, even gave a quick 3 question “quiz” to test her knowledge and experience.
She was by far the best candidate I had interviewed for this position, was available immediately, and within our price range. I made her the offer and she quickly accepted and joined the company.
The problem began with our program being “forced” to take on existing employees from other programs because their contracts expired or were lost. As a result, a mini re-organization was done and the tech writers, including this new hire, were now reporting to one of the new managers we were “forced” to take on.
So naturally, the role I had painstakingly described for the new tech writer was changed, unfortunately to less responsibility, less “additional” duties she was told she would become involved with and/or own. Needless to say (so why am I saying it?) the new tech writer is not happy at all – not with her new manager, not with her current role, and not with her long-term prospects with this company.
I’ve already talked to both the new manager and our Program Manager about this situation and neither of them seems to share my concern. Perhaps I’m more sensitive to this since I hired her with a specific role and now that she is not doing it and unhappy I feel guilty about it.
So now that you have the background, here is my question: “Do I go to the next level (our Sr. VP) and explain this situation, letting him know we are going to lose this productive worker because of the changed role enforced upon her, and my previous attempts to make her manager and the PM aware of this have been ignored, or do I leave it alone and let her decide whether to stay or go?”
