Staff Recourse Regarding Job Shifts

July 2007 issue

Do Staff have any recourse if a forced move from one department to another doesn't work out well for them?

Response

Source: Donna Washington
Title: Manager of Employee Relations
Unit/Department: Human Resources
Extension: 2-8506
Email: dwashin1@depaul.edu

Response:

Departments have every authority to make changes to their organizational structure to better align their business goals and objectives. Sometimes, there are specific jobs/positions that are affected or eliminated when changes are made.

I would hope that management discussed the changes with the affected employees before the actual changes occurred so that the employee had ample time to embrace the idea of the change. I would advise the employee to discuss with management whatever the problems are that make the employee feel "it's not working out". If it's something that could be resolved through discussion and a little understanding, then the problem is solved or on its way to resolution. If we are talking about something bigger and the employee feels that it will not be resolved no matter what because they are someplace they don't want to be, I would advise the employee to begin to look elsewhere for another position and consider all of their options both internal and external.