We had a big meeting at work, all the IT folks in a room together. Webcasted to those in remote sites. Clearly something big was in the works. Things had been quiet for a long time, and my own pursuit of an opening in the management team terminated with hints that a major reorg was planned.
Sitting in the room, marveling at just how big our IT department had gotten I was joking with a friend that this must be the meeting to announce that we are outsourcing to IBM. 5 minutes later the joke wasn't funny.
Initially I was excited! My wife and I had been planning on trying to move to the Southern US next spring and this might give me either an avenue through employment at IBM, or a kick in the pants through a layoff (and hopefully a nice severance package). I never thought for a second that I would be part of the small (12.5%) group of staff who were wanted long term to manage the outsourcing agreement and relationship. But I was.
In fact, I'm the only one in my department not being laid off. Most of my friends from my old role are being offered positions with IBM, but not all... In fact, I don't know anyone yet who is staying, and that really saddens me because the people have been the only thing to make this place survivable. And those relationships are strained now. There is clear resentment from some of my friends that I am staying while they are not, and I'm feeling really guilty at my initial pleasure at the announcement, more every minute as I see the stress that this is inflicting upon everyone.
I've been reading about "Survivor's Syndrome" on the web and exactly as is described, there is the obvious "why not me" guilt that I feel, but also a thirst for more information. What will the org be like after the transition? What will my job really be? My title looks to be unchanged, but instead of a team of 5 there will just be me? Long term does the outsourced IT function even need me? I assume that in 2-3 years there will be an IBM black box look to the environment... The simple cost of services that IT used to absorb will now be visible to the business, so the rate of change is likely to drop dramatically.
I need to call an acquaintance who's been through the IBM takeover and see if he has any tips...
I also need to be patient and wait for more information. But it is hard.
