I play hardball

So about that job situation. It turns out I had some recourse through our labor relations office. After consultation with a few people in that office, I filed a complaint. I spent a full day writing and revising and perfecting it. My argument had a few parts to it, but the big point was that I felt my demotion was punitive. And that if I were going to be reassigned to any job, it should have been to the one in my department that includes most of my job duties. If that weren't possible, I made the case for having my layoff reinstated.

I understood it could take up to 15 days for my complaint to be reviewed. I understood that if I resigned, there was a good chance the complaint would not be pursued. But I needed to see the process through as far as it would go. I wasn't going to let this go unrecognized.

I filed my complaint on Monday morning. The final packet, including supporting documentation, was about two inches thick.  It was some of the best work I've done this year.

I continued wrapping up a few final projects and cleaning out my desk. I waited, figuring I wouldn't hear anything until at least next week.

I got a phone call Thursday afternoon. My employer is willing to reinstate my layoff. Provided I sign some paperwork promising not to take legal action. I think perhaps the phrase "punitive demotion" scared the attorneys a little.

I hung up the phone and stared in shock at my desk for a few minutes. I'm still in shock. I took on the bureaucracy, and I won. And I'll leave next week feeling like a little was done to right some pretty big wrongs.