When a company announces a merger, a wave of panic sets in the air. The word merger is not a term many people like to hear when it is about companies. Going through my first merger, I did not understand all the logistics and lingo that accompanied it. It was foreign territory as I witnessed frustration, anger, and even confusion. Questions went through my head. Do I stay or go? I have been through a few company mergers since then and have picked up knowledge along the way. I will discuss three questions you need to ask yourself to determine when should you leave after a company merger.
If your company is bought out by another company on the day of the merger, ask yourself these three questions:
- If more responsibility is placed on you, are you able and willing to carry on the extra load?
- If you feel at any time, you may be let go, are you confident that you can find work quickly?
- Do you feel that you can continue to work despite others frustrations or a hostile environment?
If more responsibility is placed on you, are you able and willing to carry on the extra load?
In my experience, when a company buys another company, there is always a budget involved. The creation of a budget includes many factors, including statistics of who will stay and who will leave. A percentage of employees will leave within the first year either by being let go or leaving voluntarily. The percent of workers who remain will be given more responsibility since there are few workers remaining, which is where the first question you must ask yourself.
Knowledge is valuable. If employees leave, the knowledge source dwindles. You may be one of the few remaining sources for why decisions are made. Saying with the company makes you increasingly useful; however, it also makes you a piece of meat. People will grab you left and right for help. It can make you want to pull your hair out at times; however, if you feel like you can handle it or learn it, then you should stay. If not, then it’s time to leave.
If you feel at any time, you may be let go, are confident that you can find work quickly?
For some, it may be difficult to even think about finding work again. Who wants to pull out the dusty interviewing clothes that might not fit anymore. Many have not polished their resume since they landed their position 4 or 5 years ago. It can be nerve-racking to think about finding a new job, however, if you feel that if you stay and do get let go, you will be able to find work within a short time then you should stay with your current company. If your skills are polished, you have nothing to worry about; you will find something quickly.
The reasons companies are bough can be vast. Some could be just buying the competition. They may not care about innovation. These changes may drive other employees to want to leave while still others decide to stay, but get very frustrated, which leads me to the last question.
Do you feel that you can continue to work despite others frustrations or a hostile environment?
So let’s sum up:
- If you are willing to take on extra work and feel confident you will be able to handle it or learn it, then you should stay.
- If you feel at any time, you may be let go, but you are confident that you can find work quickly then you should stay.
- If you feel that you can continue to work despite other peoples frustrations, then you should stay.
On the other hand
- If you feel like you are not able to fill other peoples shoes while continuing to do your work, you are not able to handle additional responsibilities, and you feel overwhelmed, you should start looking now.
- If you feel like you may be let go at any time, but you think it might be challenging to snag another job whether it be confidence in your skills or finding a role in your industry then you should start looking now.
- If you feel that the environment will get toxic and work culture is very important to you, then you should start looking now.
In conclusion, the questions above will help you to determine when should you Leave After a Company Merger. It’s never good to lose great talent. Company mergers can get messy. While it is possible to go through a good merger, I have yet to experience one. It’s best not to have hurt feelings when your co-workers decide to leave. It is also in your best interest to keep your goals in mind and not allow your co-workers to keep you in a place that you feel is no longer for you. You want to be in an environment where you can thrive and makes you happy.
