Expert: Denise Anne Taylor - 2/4/2012

Question
Hi,
  My wife has worked for 15 years as a bank tellor.  Her bank has been bought out by a big bank and she is in transition to moving into their system.  She and her fellow employees are very concerned about the treatment the new bank is giving them.  She was told she has to now work 6 days a week instead of 5 and has to come in also on Sundays for an hour or two as well.  The talk that is going on is that the new bank wants the old tellors to quit and not get unemployment comp so they are trying to make things very difficult for them.
   Can you help her to understand how to be agreeable as much as possible to keep her job but also to protect herself if she is forced out with no unemployment available?

Answer
Don,
Every corporate culture is unique.  Gossip and hearsay can be costly.  She should sit down with new management to get a factual and clear picture of all expectations upfront and then once she has a better understanding directly from her superiors she will have to determine if this is a fit for her, you, and your family.

The labor market is slim..meaning jobs are tight and she will have to decide if she is open to a career change at this point or if she will attempt to "fit" in the new culture.

Change is never easy and once you come from a local operation to a larger operation it can be difficult.  If she chooses to stay employed then she has to move forward, accept the terms, and make a positive shift toward this new company culture.

Good luck!

Denise Anne Taylor