How to deal with a job transfer, professionally
Oct 04, 2009
<br>JOB transfers are common, especially if you are working for the public service. They are common in security organisations, banks and the education sector. Sometimes, job transfers are requested for by the employees, often times though, they are manag
By Aidah Nanyonjo
JOB transfers are common, especially if you are working for the public service. They are common in security organisations, banks and the education sector. Sometimes, job transfers are requested for by the employees, often times though, they are management-initiated.
Transfers can be internal, from one department to another or from one geographical location to another, it usually depends on where management feels the employee can serve the firm better. Whatever type of job transfer, human resource professionals advise a positive attitude is vital.
“If you are getting transferred, see yourself as a winner even when the new posting may appear as a demotion. The trick is to be positive and deliver to your boss’ expectations,†says Julius Kateega, a human resource consultant at Competitive choices.
Kateega says a transfer can be an invigorating life-event or a dramatic life-stressor, depending on the way one looks at it.
However, Kateega says, one of the problems employees face is the negative attitude about the transfers.
“If you embrace it with gusto and positive energy, it can pay you back in many ways. Likewise, a negative attitude will blow up your chances of success,†he says.
Dan Wagaba, a secondary school teacher, was transferred 5 times in six years, to different schools and districts. “With the first four transfers, I could live anywhere. The last transfer, however, I was sent to a village school. I asked my boss if I was being chased away. Before the end of the year, I had abandoned the job and returned to Kampala with my family.â€
“The people were negative. The weather was bad and my job was terrible. Maybe not liking the place spilled over into my job?.†he ponders.
Kateega advises that before one considers accepting a transfer, they should mutually agree with their spouses on it. Outline the benefits of the job transfer and how it will affect the family. Remember if things go bad, it is your partners’ support you will need most.
“A job transfer can be a positive or negative thing depending on the circumstances surrounding the offer. If you decide to accept the job transfer offer, prepare both yourself and your family for the change,†he adds.
It is also important to know the exact time-frame of the transfer. If it is not a permanent position, then you should be given an exact start and end date.
Most employees relocate with their families even for short-term job transfers.
A job transfer can be an exciting opportunity, especially if one has requested for it and it meets their career aspirations.
But in the situation that the employee did not initiate and does not see the merits of it, professionally or to their personal or financial lives, then they can politely reject it.
According to Ruth Senyonyi, the organisational psychologist and staff welfare officer at Bank of Uganda, a person can politely refuse the transfer without hurting the relationship with their employer. She advises that the person should think carefully before reacting.
As you negotiate, Senyonyi further advises, strive to maintain a positive relationship with your employer.
“Don’t sound like you are shirking responsibility or are not supportive of the company’s requirements,†she adds.
For example, about 100 Police officers, who were transferred to Karamoja, refused to honour the transfers and instead petitioned the disciplinary committee of the Uganda Police Force asking for the cancellation of their transfer citing medical reasons and marital obligations. However, the disciplinary committee gave them an ultimatum of seven days in which to report to work or face punishment.
Senyonyi says an open mind is important for a person to cope up with the new situation. It is also advisable to get involved with the new community.
JOB transfers are common, especially if you are working for the public service. They are common in security organisations, banks and the education sector. Sometimes, job transfers are requested for by the employees, often times though, they are management-initiated.
Transfers can be internal, from one department to another or from one geographical location to another, it usually depends on where management feels the employee can serve the firm better. Whatever type of job transfer, human resource professionals advise a positive attitude is vital.
“If you are getting transferred, see yourself as a winner even when the new posting may appear as a demotion. The trick is to be positive and deliver to your boss’ expectations,†says Julius Kateega, a human resource consultant at Competitive choices.
Kateega says a transfer can be an invigorating life-event or a dramatic life-stressor, depending on the way one looks at it.
However, Kateega says, one of the problems employees face is the negative attitude about the transfers.
“If you embrace it with gusto and positive energy, it can pay you back in many ways. Likewise, a negative attitude will blow up your chances of success,†he says.
Dan Wagaba, a secondary school teacher, was transferred 5 times in six years, to different schools and districts. “With the first four transfers, I could live anywhere. The last transfer, however, I was sent to a village school. I asked my boss if I was being chased away. Before the end of the year, I had abandoned the job and returned to Kampala with my family.â€
“The people were negative. The weather was bad and my job was terrible. Maybe not liking the place spilled over into my job?.†he ponders.
Kateega advises that before one considers accepting a transfer, they should mutually agree with their spouses on it. Outline the benefits of the job transfer and how it will affect the family. Remember if things go bad, it is your partners’ support you will need most.
“A job transfer can be a positive or negative thing depending on the circumstances surrounding the offer. If you decide to accept the job transfer offer, prepare both yourself and your family for the change,†he adds.
It is also important to know the exact time-frame of the transfer. If it is not a permanent position, then you should be given an exact start and end date.
Most employees relocate with their families even for short-term job transfers.
A job transfer can be an exciting opportunity, especially if one has requested for it and it meets their career aspirations.
But in the situation that the employee did not initiate and does not see the merits of it, professionally or to their personal or financial lives, then they can politely reject it.
According to Ruth Senyonyi, the organisational psychologist and staff welfare officer at Bank of Uganda, a person can politely refuse the transfer without hurting the relationship with their employer. She advises that the person should think carefully before reacting.
As you negotiate, Senyonyi further advises, strive to maintain a positive relationship with your employer.
“Don’t sound like you are shirking responsibility or are not supportive of the company’s requirements,†she adds.
For example, about 100 Police officers, who were transferred to Karamoja, refused to honour the transfers and instead petitioned the disciplinary committee of the Uganda Police Force asking for the cancellation of their transfer citing medical reasons and marital obligations. However, the disciplinary committee gave them an ultimatum of seven days in which to report to work or face punishment.
Senyonyi says an open mind is important for a person to cope up with the new situation. It is also advisable to get involved with the new community.