Update: Help Me Not Get Fired today...What Would You Say?

I would keep my head down and mouth shut.

Having a job is better than not having a job, and you're not the boss.

ETA: Then at the meeting, simply review and clarify your added duties and responsibilities, job description changes, her expectations of your duties, reporting requirements, etc.
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Why in the world would you say anything?

Fact is, there's a new sheriff in town and now you need to play by her rules.
EVERYONE is dealing with the cutbacks, increased workloads and budget cuts that you are. It's reality right now.

You can't do a thing about other employees--only about yourself.

To say anything is only going to single you out and label you a whiner and NOT a team player.

Your team has changed.
Right now, you're part of it.
Best to get on board.

I think accept the work and be a "good team player." However, I wouldn't give up my flex schedule. I disagree a little with JL... I think you're actually in a fairly good spot because you know how to do the work, you're responsible, and they can't hire to replace. Just be polite and whatever you say try to frame it like its in their best interest. They like that kind of stuff. Tell them your excited for new responsbilities, you'll work your hardest. Unless they explicitly say you need to stay until X, assume you can still do your flex. If they say, "We need you to stay", you can try the "Let's see how it goes for a few weeks. I'll get all my work done and if your not satisfied with my production, we can reevaluate."

All that being said... definitly time to look for a new job. GOOD LUCK!

The first thing that comes to my mind is that she trusts you to be where you're supposed to be and do what you're supposed to do. She sees what's happening with the others. (4 hours late?? Really??!) I wouldn't be surprised if she were positioning you--even physically by changing your space--to get that raise that goes with the duties, once she gets rid of the slackers.

Don't assume that you know what's in her head. She is learning who her players are and is likely letting those others hang themselves. Just keep doing what you're doing, let her know that you are a "team player". I think that it'll pay off.

ETA: Is it possible that she scheduled the meeting at that time just to see who would be present? She is probably documenting ALL of this. If someone is late for an early-morning meeting, that can be excused, maybe. Mid to late morning assumes that everyone should be in place. Whoever is not in place has no excuse for not being there. You know what I mean?

You don't say what the meeting is about, but--like OneandDone said--be prepared to outline and discuss your current duties, from the perspective of gaining clarity and establishing expectations.

Say nothing. Consider yourself in the hopper for execution at the first fail. I think your supervisor considers you her most responsible and reliable worker, but if you blow it by losing your cool or challenging her decisions you will be the next to go because of your apparent seniority at this place. You are probably more expensive budget-wise to them than you realize, in spite of the fact they hired a middle-manager who is apparently the equivalent in cost and experience to your former fellow-employees who were laid off as they neared retirement despite their years of experience.

If you don't think you can be replaced...even with the place falling apart and the office being plagued with young and incompetent support staff ...think again. Despite their apparent years of experience they (employees already laid off) were in effect REPLACED by someone I'll guess is younger, with some experience, but much cheaper in that can do the work of 5 in one. She/he may be doing even more than you know...thus replacing more than the 5 her were laid off from your department. Regardless, the one thing to keep in mind is when companies (organizations or schools) streamline like this, no one's job is safe.

The company (organization) is probably saving money in that this perons probably has a less attractive retirement plan that what you may have been offered, they maybe do not have as good of a benefit plan, and possibly an unspoken expectation on the part of the company, they won't stay long-term since they're only an assistant and this is not an upper-management type position. Most young people look at jobs like this as stepping stones. Many employers actually bank on this when hiring....they don't want these folks long-term and are counting on the hope they won't stay for budget's sake. The company often doesn't intend to move them up into management positions either. Most younger people today realize this fact, and are always prepared to move. On average, most people spend about 5 years per company. 17-years is rare if you'd ask any Human Resource expert, and not necessarily a plus these days. The corporate world has taken on the McDonald's fast-food mentality when it comes to employees. Longevity isn't necessarily a plus because it can be expensive for the company.

If at all possible, I'd look into senior mobility services in your area and utilize them to get your realtive to her doctor's appointments. In this economy and from what you share about your recent job searches, you can not afford to lose your job now. Especially if this relative relies on you for more than just rides, and depending on your age... if you are nearing retirement.

Remember companies (organization) looking to balance their books will always find ways to get rid of senior employees before their retirement approaches to cut costs. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that finding another job when you're close to retirement is as difficult as it is for a pregnant woman to get hired. All potential employers see are dollar signs with wings flying out the window as you sit in your chair for your interview. Doesn't matter how good you are, age can be a liability ...even if you're the best person for the job.

So with that said, don't rock the boat. Find solutions to your difficulties on your own and don't go running to the boss with complaints or suggestions. She's expecting you to live up to those 17 years of experience and make things happen....you know the Rumplestiltskin factor....spin hay into gold in record time or she gets to keep your baby....er...retirement and slim salary. Not to mention, she probably has someone breathing down her back expecting HER to spin hay into gold or she's outta there. So it's a classic horror story to say the least.

I feel for you. Hang in there and chin up.

P.S. Are you a supervisor to the slacker phone girls? Are you in a position to report on their behavior without being considered a snitch? They need to get fired...IMO. If you can give higherups a heads-up that these girls are slacking but getting paid (ie. stealing from the company) I'd do that at the very least. It may help with the some of the workload problem. Your boss might not be aware...or if she is...maybe she's afraid to mess with them or isn't a position to do something about it (such as they are unionized for example?). Just a thought..

Since your goal is not to get fired, I would try to help with the new transition. You don't know if things will be better or worse with the new plan. Give it a chance. Offer positive suggestions, don't just complain about everything that is happening. In most cases people don't get an increase in salary because they have to take on more work when downsizing occurs. This sounds like you might work for a school or a university, so there might be an HR department. If you were hired on a flex time schedule, I think that you might discuss that with your boss. Tell her of your scheduling commitment to get your mother to therapy based on your current job responsibilities. Agree to be flexible (come in earlier) until your mother's therapy is complete or can be changed, but tell her that you can't stay late on those days. If you have been there for 17 years and can't find a job over $8.00 an hour, then you need to update your skills and your resume. If you are at a university, can you get some free tuition hours? It sounds like you do a lot of work and have a lot of responsibility. Have you ever contacted a temp agency to see if they have any administrative jobs available? Good luck- I know that change is hard, but only you control your attitude towards it.

I agree, to continue to do your job to the best of your ability. Document anything you feel is important to discuss with this new boss.

If covering people that are late, take long lunches and leave early, document these incidents. you can either speak with them or their supervisor to let them know, you are no longer going to be able to cover for them since you have an even higher work load.

If there are ways to streamline your jobs, then do them.. Document these changes, or run them by the new boss.. Not one at a time, but make a list of the changes and show they are working, or ask for suggestions on how to make them more manageable.

If you discover there really are things you cannot get to, or are having trouble completing.. again be honest and ask for help..

New bosses are brought in for a reason, those that can take the change and make it work, are the people that keep their jobs. The people that fret, whine and complain are the ones, that usually are pushed out.

You are a tree you can bend, you can also stand up for yourself and share your ideas.

If you are not happy with your pay, then speak up or look for another job. No one can read your mind.

Exactly why do you not want to be fired? That doesn't sound like fun at all.

It sounds like you already had your department meeting today, so I know this is a bit after-the-fact. Mass layoffs are hard. I've been there. In 2008, I worked for a big public company (a restaurant chain) in the corporate office, and they had a mass layoff where my department went from 8 people to 2. I was in facilities maintenance, and the 2 of us left, while good at our jobs, knew there was no way we could care for 800 restaurants properly by ourselves. Long story short, they then wanted us to interview companies so we could outsource ourselves ("Here, why don't you interview your replacement?"). It's really hard when you need the job, feel you have no options, and your workload increases by 400%!

My only advice is, this may be your big chance to shine. Don't be a pushover - be very clear with your new boss that you're carrying a huge load already - but show her that you are willing to work with her, and that you're a team player. With big changes like this come big opportunities. If you can show this woman that you're responsible and on-the-ball, you may be in the best position possible to move up. Even if the only thing she can offer you is a better title, with no more money, take it - it looks great on a resume that you were promoted during a time of layoffs. Being the boss' trusted employee will have its benefits down the road if you play your cards right. NO, the situation is not fair, especially when good people are laid off and stupid ones are kept, but you can't control that. Just control what you can and do the best job you can. Your boss will see what's going on with your flaky co-workers.

And meanwhile, if the new situation seems not to be working out, and/or you sense more layoffs could be on the horizon, keep your eyes and ears open for a new job. Keep as many avenues as possible open to yourself.

I agree with Leslie. I would try to maintain my flex and explain to the new boss why you have that schedule and how you are able to take care of everything within that time. If they insist, try asking for time to find alternate arrangements for your mom. Then go forward with the new job as a positive thing. Clarify your duties, the staff you support, and the workflow.

I'd be keeping a "cover your butt" file, though. With the two unreliable ones over there, give yourself some distance but document things you did that got handed off so that when they are not done by the yahoos, you have a paper trail. Moving you may also be a way for the new boss to see how much you are covering for them and if their behavior is going to get them fired.

My DH has had an unfavorable job situation - he got passed over for a management position where he had more experience...but he did the new job and kept his nose clean and tried to be a team player. Now the choice of the other person is blowing up and he's just sitting back and watching. Not his problem. He even likes HIS new manager's style better and as long as he doesn't get drafted to clean up the other manager's mess back at the old project, he's happier. So this might turn out OK for you in the end.

I just read your SWH. Usually in situations like this the best thing to do is exactly what you're doing. The supervisors will see what you want to tell them. Much better that they see for themselves. Nothing makes a supervisor more angry than no one showing up for a scheduled meeting, especially when that meeting is well after start time!

Take a deep breath. Go in with a plan not attack. Listen to what your boss says. Embrace her plan. Change is not easy and you don't really know what this new manager is thinking. You might be surprised that she sees everything. That could be why she is moving you around.

I would discuss the hours that she wants you working. I would honestly discuss that you have been on flex time and would like to contiue that. It is within her scope to change your hours. You could put in for FMLA to assist with your mom if you are her primary caregiver.

Just do into the meeting with an open mind and listen. I would stop doing everyone elses job. Sink or swim for them.

Updated

Take a deep breath. Go in with a plan not attack. Listen to what your boss says. Embrace her plan. Change is not easy and you don't really know what this new manager is thinking. You might be surprised that she sees everything. That could be why she is moving you around.

I would discuss the hours that she wants you working. I would honestly discuss that you have been on flex time and would like to contiue that. It is within her scope to change your hours. You could put in for FMLA

I agree with a lot of what Leslie M. had to say.

If you know any of the former employees that were on time and did their job and carried their load, then when the boss mentioned that people weren't where they were supposed to be or were late to work, I'd mention that so n so was always on time and might like to come back to work. They the boss coud get rid of and unsatisfactory employee. BUT if the late people or semi-workers are the boss' family, you can only grin and bear it.

Time to network and look for a better job. Good luck to you and yours.

Well if the others can't get there on time and you have to be out by a certain time, does that mean they just want you to arrive earlier? If so, you getting off on time shouldn't be a problem (unless you can't come in earlier for some reason).

Lay out a few of your top concerns and calmly talk to the new boss. It's not her fault that you haven't gotten a raise or that she is making more than you...she's new. Or talk to your old boss (again calmly) and explain that you don't mind doing your part but this is what you are currently responsible for plus the extras you have been doing but aren't responsible for. Explain that if you have to continue what you've been doing, you are concerned that you will not reasonably be able to take on the additional new tasks. Ask if you can return some of the extras back to the others.

Stop doing everyone elses work. They will take advantage of you as far as they can go...you have to stop letting them. As far as everything else, tell them your schedule is concrete and you are unable to change do to caring for a very ill family member. If they ask you how things would be better, you can tell them what you have observed...receptionist showing up 4 hours late or not at all etc. Best wishes!!!