So...transitioning has begun in earnest.

If transitioning during normal days is complicated, it’s a lot worse with WFH.

Transfer date was supposed to be 1 June, which is the last day of CB and the moment it was announced that CB will be extended (ok maybe not the exact moment because all I was thinking at the exact moment was BBT ahahahah) I knew there are serious logistical issues - not being able to go back to office to clear out my space being one though maybe there are workarounds so maybe it wasn’t the most critical thing. Not being able to be guided effectively over telecommuting is one, seeing how it’s working out with a new staff that recently joined my team. And on a more sentimental note, not being able to bid my colleagues farewell properly weighed heavily on my mind - and this is obviously not the way I imagined it will happen.

So wrote to HR asking if there will be any changes or special arrangements given CB - which is a perfectly legit move, they did say that while recruitment is still ongoing, on boarding of new staff will be delayed unless absolutely necessary and I guess that included transfer cases. So I was only mildly surprised when after some checks, she told me that it will be postponed by a month and asked if my division will be ok with it - literally laughed and told her I am pretty sure my bosses would not mind (which big boss eventually told me he would gladly keep me till the end of the year if he had his way (why end of the year, I never found out) but that wouldn’t be the point of this exercise so yep). And meanwhile A who is to take over RAG from me was overjoyed lol.

So that gave me another month to pretend that everything is as per normal although I was trying really hard not to lapse into a heck care mode.

But I guess eventually with all the talks of “embracing the new normal” everybody came to realize that there is no point delaying it further so on the first week of June, when I wrote in again to check in with HR (seriously, I am the one doing all the chasing) they finally confirmed that it will proceed as planned. So 1st July it is, and I went ahead and commenced handing over mode. Well for RAG handing over mode has been happening for a while because of the scale, but at least the rest can start proper.

Only problem is that for my team...there’s nobody to hand the reins to. At least not formally. Sigh.

Meanwhile on the other side, I started an email to my would-be bosses (ok, they started it and I responded) and as it turns out they haven’t actually planned for my arrival, for instance they have not carved out an area for me yet which I thought was surprising because they have known about this for a while too.

Then in the spirit of embracing the new normal (even though there are hopes of Phase 2 reopening happening before I go off), farewells got started. There was an immediate email from one of the bigger bosses following the announcement which I found awkward to respond to (because there’s still one whole month to go?) but replied anyway. Then I also called for a team meeting because in my mind it’s important for them to know work arrangements post-SY era which evolved into a online farewell session cum belated birthday thingy complete with surprise balloon and dessert delivery and speech (poor Jerms). Which caught me well by surprise because....20 days before! Goes without saying I appreciate the effort but I was not prepared for it even though it has been months since I knew of this (so maybe it just means I will never be prepared for it so maybe, might as well).

So I guess this is it. The past week (or month, really) I was still handling work as usual, joining in meetings knowing full well that it really doesn’t concern me much, and maybe just a bitttt outspoken than usual with the reckless thought that I won’t face any consequences lol. But I expect to stop doing it by the end of this week (given that I also have a bit of time off to clear) and next week is just full on relax and writing goodbye emails. Depending on whether Phase 2 happens I may be able to nip out to get a couple of farewell/thank you gifts even, otherwise just have to settle for cards.

Labels: thoughts, updates, work