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I began my journey as the Manager of IT for a $34m per year not for profit in 2006. Just me, no one else. Once of the first things I did when I started was to implement a helpdesk system. That was 13 years ago. Spiceworks was a fledgling start-up of IT professionals who had a vision of bringing techs together and providing them with a free helpdesk system built the way we needed it to work. I have been a strong advocate of Spiceworks ever since.

It quickly became apparently that this was NOT a one-person job. Yet, for 5 years I persevered and managed to affect marginal change on my own. I kept asking to hire someone every time budgets were reviewed. Not going to happen was always the reply.

We went the down the ‘trainee’ path but that proved fraught. I was in no position to mentor, manage, be the level 2, 3… tech, plan strategy and generally be the guy who got things done. Still, I could not convince the CFO to allow me to hire someone competent to help. I suggested a compromised. Outsource helpdesk to a local MSP with some minimal time onsite by one of their techs each week. I had a win!

Though things did improve, it was still not ideal and it all came to a head in 2010 when a there was a significant file server failure that wiped out 1/3 of our data with no chance of recovery. An external IT auditor was brought in to assess the situation. The key recommendation made by the auditor was to increase the number of onsite tech hours. A network this size could not be managed by one person. That went well for a time but it I was still the only in-house tech. Not optimal.

After 4 years of this I went back to the CFO and showed that the MSP cost could be easily reduced by hiring a full-time in-house systems administrator. Reduce costs, improve support and take the load off of me – sort of. We hired a helpdesk person, but I was still the most skilled tech we had so naturally, I was still the go to guy when things got complicated.

Fast forward to 2018 and a major upgrade to our ERP, retail POS and eCommerce systems that went terribly for a number of reasons I had no control over. But it was my job to smile, tell everyone it was all going to be fine (even though I knew it was all going to hell) and get it done. Three months after go live, I was at the end of my tether, burnt out and very close to a break down – literally. Two of the executive managers saw this and offered whatever I needed to get things over the line and not end up in a white, wrap around jacket. WE NEED TO HIRE SOMEONE who knows what they are doing was my response. We did.

What a relief! Finally, after 10 years of advocating for a properly staffed IT department, we had one. New guy was brilliant, and project after project were being completed without incident. IT was moved to another director’s portfolio which was a very good fit for me personally as well as the department. I was able to focus on my other duties and IT was kicking goals!

The CEO of 23 years retired, and his replacement was hired. The new CEO was amazing. Inclusive, thoughtful and willing to listen. Cultural (and some structural) changes were under way. Staff was feeling appreciated again and the executives were focusing on what they should. My role morphed more into BI than systems administration. The change was refreshing and the reports I was creating were very positively received by management.

Then…

Late November 2019, my director came to me and asked me to come see him. He looked like he was going to vomit. Not a good sign if he wasn’t actually ill. We went off to meet with the CEO. That’s odd… Wonder what’s up? As it turns out, it was decided the role of Manager of IT was no longer required and I would be finishing up one week later. Didn’t see that one coming.

Fortunately, the packaged offered would keep me in a reasonable financial position so I wasn’t panicked. Just surprised. They hoped I would finish the week for whatever I could manage as a handover. Imagine trying to download nearly 14 years of corporate IP in one week. I finished the week, managed what I could said my goodbyes and left the building not looking back.

Which brings me to the point of all of this drivel. The most disappointing thing for me was seeing 14 years of building the department into something that was actually supporting the businesses, it was all undone in one short conversation. Don’t get me wrong, I am very proud of all that was accomplished in that time and I know I left it better than when I first arrived. Yet, regardless of how critical ICT has become to most companies, we are still the throw-away department.

44 Spice ups
2

Sounds like the result of fallout from the 2018 debacle and the lack of institutional awareness of the role of IT came to a head. Sorry to hear about the rug getting pulled out from under you. Good reminder that your loyalty to an organization and internalizing of its goals with yours is not likely to be reciprocated.

The week’s leaving notice seems ASTOUNDINGLY short sighted on their part!

4 Spice ups
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IT is no more a throw-away than finance or HR or maintenance. Those functions get outsourced or downsized constantly as businesses operate and try to survive or grow.

Everyone always wants more - more vehicles, more building space, a new boiler, upgraded lighting, new floors, new desks that move up and down, new cell phones - the list is endless. There’s not a business in the world that can provide everyone everything and stay in business.

You were let go because the function you provided was no longer essential. That might be because the company found a way to do it differently. Or that your value/cost ratio was too low. Or for a hundred other reasons. It’s not logical to extend your personal situation to all IT or all companies.

I’ve never seen a data center with a plaque on the wall thanking the previous IT Director. And I probably never will.

11 Spice ups
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This is ultimately the only takeaway from any role, be it a short or long term.
if it was a better place for you having been there, then move on happy in that knowledge.

7 Spice ups
5

I saw the quote;
“you could die tomorrow and your workplace would have a new hiring advertisement out in less than 48 hrs, you’re like a pawn to a chessboard. So cherish family, friends and personal time more than work”
Sorry to hear you got let go, you provided a great service when they needed it, but as time went on the use of an IT manager was no longer needed. Loyalty is not always compatible between company and employee. A week notice is abysmal however…!

2 Spice ups
6

We all know that IT is a thankless career. I am sorry to hear that they blindsided you but it sounds like you will be alright. I wish you luck with your future endeavors!

Let’s be honest, in the end, we are all disposable/replaceable.

2 Spice ups
7

This is sadly the truth.

2 Spice ups
8

Lots of blood, sweat and tears… Good luck on your next adventure.

1 Spice up
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Karma is a cruel mistress and I can only wonder when she reminds your old company of their deeds. It was their loss and move forward!

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My company loyalty extends as far as meeting my ethical and legal obligations and no further. Meaning, if I were to be offered a position today that I considered in any significant way better than what I currently have, I’d take it without a second thought. I do my job well because it’s important to me that I do so, not because of any misplaced feeling of company loyalty.

1 Spice up
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Wow, I’ve been through many similar situations. I think you make an important and forgotten point: “Staff was feeling appreciated again”. I think there is a real impact to the end users productivity and efficiency when quality IT is part of an organization. Business is about bottom lines, but when you only work to “check the boxes”, work becomes more inhuman, un-enjoyable, devoid of relationships. I believe it is possible to “care about people” and have a successful business. There is a happy medium and I have seen it in some organizations. It is elusive. Take heart in your accomplishments and your approach to IT management.

1 Spice up
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They hired someone to help you in 2018 so that they would have a properly staffed IT department… and then they eliminated your position? So they’ve left the other guy holding the bag as the only person in IT and they’re back where they were two years ago.

I predict they run that person into the ground, reopen your position (or a similar one) only when it becomes clear that one person can’t do the job, then they get comfortable with two people again, decide to eliminate one of the positions, and the cycle continues.

3 Spice ups
13

Congratulation on the good work!

Sorry about the loss of you job.

Wish you all the luck in finding a new challenge! :slight_smile:

2 Spice ups
14

I’m cynical, but I always remember Paul Lewiston’s line from Boston Legal: “Everybody is fungible.”

The company I worked for in high school was global. They moved their North American headquarters to another state and simply dumped everyone but upper-level management. Ten years later, they outsourced their AP to Europe. Then a year ago, I heard that mid-November they fired their entire IT Department and outsourced it as well.

The bottom line is always financial. Entire departments can be replaced if it’s more cost-effective. It’s crushing to see people build good departments, only to have it all washed away, but that’s business. (Still, sorry to hear this happened to you!)

1 Spice up
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It is hard to know the real reasons for actions such as these. It could be that they have a real, solid plan and you in an in-house role are not part of it for whatever reason.

It could also be that they are struggling financially or in some other way and looking to cut wherever they think they can to keep afloat. (From their perspective, these two things might look identical, BTW.) I’ve seen the latter happen and while the IT department was one of the first to go (40% of the staff), within a year the whole organization was downsized that same 40%. Within another, the leader was out the door at the behest of the board. Now, 11 years and four leaders later, they continue to struggle and try to overcome the fallout of many years or poor management that lead to the problems in the first place.

I’m sure that there could be other good or bad (from an outsider’s perspective) reasons for their actions.

In the end, the reason probably doesn’t matter from my perspective. What matters is that you demonstrated graciousness and professionalism on your part. You did and in addition to the good work you did over the years, you have a right to be proud of that.

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I was forced out of my role in a similar fashion after 13 years, unexpectedly. It did hurt especially leaving so much behind that I never got to finish once started. But I moved on, found a much better role and reignited my passion for IT. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors!

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We’ll always be a throw away department because we’re never seen as a profitable department.

1 Spice up
18

Thank you for sharing. I was reading this and was in a very similar situation for the last 8 years. Sole IT person doing everything, unable to hire staff who didn’t need previous training because they were asking for too much or (and I kid you not) didn’t look like he could do the job - told to me by one of the companies Directors.

I have to say, I saw the warning signs. I was going to be replaced with an outsourced solution because the company aquired a new CEO and he had a buddy who did consultant IT work for him at another company. I feel fortunate I’ve been in the situation before so knew what to look for, but it’s always a disappoint when a company decides there is a new, better, shiner way to manage IT and get rid of those who built it into a successful system with the limitations they were given.

Best of luck to you. The positive side is there will be some other company out there ready to dispose of thier IT tram and you may be the one hired to replace them.

1 Spice up
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People never really realize the work that’s done by IT until it’s no longer being done. I came into my role and started working more closely with IT pros and realize how much work y’all actually do behind-the-scenes to make sure things get done. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t recognize that and think they can get away with cutting costs. Sorry to hear about your situation though! I hope you can find a new place that will value all the hard work you put into making the company a better organization.