JWA

Business Development Manager

Personal Narrative

When the boss asks you to do something shady

So I work in the tax credit industry.

The company I work for has had lots of transition and changes the last few months.

In short, they laid off half the company due to budget in Dec.

The 4 top sales people who all bring in at least their salary ($70k) monthly (Longest with the company is around 3 years) just got put on pips with no definite goal to get off the pip. They haven't dipped, it seems crazy.

The top gal, industry experience for last 6 or more years is about to have her first child and go on leave while being on a pip....

My belief for the top 4 sales peeps is that they disagreed with management out look/plan of how they believe we can do business, shared concerns, etc and decided to share...and since they are not buying into it, they are on their way out.

Me and the other newest guy (both max 4 months) are supposed to take over her pipeline/partners while she is gone.. this stuff is complicated sales as it is, and the newest people are supposed to just pick up where she left off?

The thing is, we are certain that they are only doing Pips so they can fire the remote workforce and bring everything in-house/local.

They want me and the other new guy to divy up her partners and tell her to make us the intros but to be vuage and not mention her leaving for maternity.

I think she sees what's coming....

Just feels wrong on so many levels.

Plus, if I make it through the firing, and survive off the efforts of others, what's to stop them when I disagree with management not to do the same thing to me down the line? I thought for small companies, the top sales dogs were safe if they were bringing in the dough.

Do I speak up and tell management that this feels wrong on so many levels and risk getting canned too....

Do I recognize this likely happens all the time to companies I have joined except I just haven't been involved with them during the craziness so to me Id be none the wiser....

Am I making a bigger deal out of this than I should?

🎈 Mentorship

6

9 comments

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Sunbunny31

Politicker

4

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

It is common for companies to have colleagues cover deals/territory/pipeline when someone goes on leave. I’m not sure why they would want you to be vague about the reason for her departure, though. Honestly, if they are going to let her go, it’s easy to tell anyone external who asks, that she didn’t return from her leave, and move on. But people are weird sometimes.

That said, you cannot control what management is going to decide to do. Right now, your job is to cover the territory in your coworker’s absence, so do that and close what you can. Business goes on; revenue continues to be important. That is your job.

Now, if you disagree with the way they do business, you can choose to look for another job on the dl while you outwardly do your current job.

jefe

Arsonist

1

🍁

This is the best approach. You don't really know what they're thinking, and there are aspects of normalcy to this ask.

You need to go along with this as it is, like Bunny said, your job.

If it turns into something sketchy or there are aspects of what they're doing you don't like, then start looking.

JWA

Personal Narrative

2

Business Development Manager

@jefe @Sunbunny31
I agree I can not control management. I guess I am shocked they are letting the top 4 reps in the company go. They all have brought in income to the company, not insignificant numbers.

I agree that to take over while someone is away is not crazy by any means but I suppose my concern is let's say I put my head down and work it out and pretend nothing here seems off or immoral, whats to stop them from doing this to me...

Rhetorical since we acknowledged I can control them but should I really just plow on knowing this could come to me sometime?

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

There’s nothing to stop them from doing this to you. There never was. So, if it unsettles you that much, you could start quietly looking for another job. It’s always good to be prepared regardless - nothing wrong with putting feelers out there.

And at the same time, head down and work. You’re getting commission on closed deals - go close deals. :)

NoToBANT

Catalyst

2

Senior Account Executive

Firstly, get all of your colleagues to speak with Dan Goodman on LI. He is a class act and can help them avoid any unnecessary Commission withholding and get a good severance

Secondly, get the fuck outta there

oldcloser

Arsonist

1

💀

Sounds like you might need to start hunting if this is your daily dilemma.

0

Retired Sales Professional

Time to jump ship. I'm not an expert but when it comes to maternity leave I'm pretty sure there laws that protect her, so if it feels not right, it's not. I would find the nearest exit.

JWA

Personal Narrative

0

Business Development Manager

I work in Idaho which is very at will for both parties. I agree with you but I am not sure if Idaho has a lot in the way of protection for them or not.

Armageddon

Opinionated

0

Enterprise Account Executive

post was too long to read.. but good luck!

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