Status Report: SNAFU

I've been at my "new" job about four months, now.

A quick summary:

I left my last job on good terms.

I started the new job, as Quality Engineer at a manufacturing plant, on 11/12/08.

On 11/16/08 they fired the Quality Manager.

On 11/19/08, the new Quality Manager started. He and I, it appeared, were to be the "new white hope(s)" who were going to really fix things and "change the culture."

This past Wednesday, they fired the "new" Quality Manager! It happened while I was out of the office, visiting one of our customers with the Plant Manager.

Upon my return, I was sent to the new Branch Manager's office and told of the firing.

Their plan? They're not going to hire anyone else. I will be picking up the Quality Manager's duties, apparently in addition my own, current, duties. No promotion, no pay increase, no choice.

Now, before coming on board, I had been praying fervently for a better-paying job with full benefits. My paychecks are now twice what they were at my previous job and as of a month ago, the medical plan kicked in for me and my family. So I thank God for providing me this blessing.

But I have been really blind-sided by this turn of events.

I'm getting the feeling that this place likes to make the Quality Manager the "fall guy" and that the standard corrective action for problems is now "fire the Quality Guy!" I am feeling waves of anxiety that I haven't experienced since 1997.

On one hand, I know I have talents and abilities that I can bring to the party and I feel I could truly help improve the administration of their quality system. But, on the other hand, I've been running into managerial roadblocks that seem to be thwarting my best efforts.

And now I've just had a whole Middle Management yoke clamped around my neck.

I don't see how I can do both jobs, even under the best of circumstances.

My short term plan?

Do my very best.

And keep praying.

I can only believe that I am where I am right now for a reason...