Navigating a Tech Job Without a Manager: A Cautionary Tale
Written on
Chapter 1: The Onboarding Experience
Imagine starting a new job only to find the onboarding process lacking essential resources for success. This was my reality when I joined my current company. In hindsight, I wish I had recognized these red flags sooner and opted to leave.
The Welcome Pack
You might think it can't be that bad, yet one peculiar aspect of the dress code is the requirement to wear a company badge on Fridays. Why? Because it’s Friday, apparently. What a thrilling requirement! Fortunately, it seems most employees ignore this practice. While there are family fun days and even songs sung during induction, it appears that only the CEO embraces this badge tradition. When I expressed my eagerness to wear the badge, I was met with the question, "Didn't you receive one in your welcome pack?"
Regrettably, my welcome pack consisted of a dented MacBook Pro and a grimy power supply. I can only hope I didn’t miss out on any additional, crucial items.
Section 1.1: Management Issues
It’s particularly disheartening when your manager departs, especially after you joined to help propel the team forward under their guidance. The first hint of trouble? A complete lack of one-on-one meetings from the start. Any inquiries were to be directed to a designated “buddy,” which was communicated over Slack.
The scheduled weekly and monthly check-ins? Nonexistent. My buddy filled me in on the unfolding drama: the boss was already on their way out and had mentally checked out long before. Surprisingly, I never received a personal notification from my manager about their departure. Instead, I learned of it through their supervisor, accompanied by a request for contributions toward a farewell gift.
Section 1.2: The HR Void
I find myself needing to remain with this company for a few months, which complicates matters. The thought of resigning seems futile, especially since I have no one to formally submit my resignation to. This situation speaks volumes about the company’s disorganization.
While I would typically voice my concerns to HR, I don’t even have a contact to address. I enjoy airing grievances (as reflected in my other writings), but the proper venue for such complaints is through HR. Yet, here I am, caught in an endless loop.
Chapter 2: The Disengagement of HR
In the video titled "Spotted dick for pudding please – On the road with MTDCNC July 23rd," the host discusses navigating workplace dynamics, which resonates with my experiences.
In another video, "Throwback | Nail Salon | Anjelah Johnson Comedy," the humor reflects on workplace culture, providing a light-hearted perspective that contrasts with my narrative.
Conclusion
I can’t be the only one feeling disillusioned by the lack of engagement from HR departments in tech roles. This trend reflects broader issues within industry recruitment. If I am the sole individual feeling downcast about HR's disinterest in engineering, perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope. I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.
About The Author
Professional Software Developer, “The Secret Developer,” can be found on Twitter @TheSDeveloper and regularly shares insights on Medium.com.