Running the gauntlet (alternative spellings gantlet and rarely gantlope or gantelope) is a form of physical punishment by which a person is compelled to run through a double line of soldiers who attempt to strike him or her as they pass.
This also accurately represents my work day yesterday.
Evidently the grapevine was less efficient about my departure than usual. Friday, not that many people knew about it, so things were relatively quiet. On Monday, however, the proverbial shit hit the fan.
Every 10 minutes throughout the day I was fielding questions about why I was leaving, where I was going, being called a stupid git, being wished well, etc. It was all sort of heart-wrenching.
And then I heard that the ‘higher ups’ were involved.
Now, I must admit I was a bit disappointed on Friday when it seemed that my departure was being treated as a fairly ho-hum event. Didn’t I mean more to them than THAT? Well, evidently now I do as their panic has set in.
My boss has been in meetings and teleconferences with our Plant manager, the plant manager’s boss, and even one of our DIVISIONAL managers… all revolving around my decision to leave. They keep asking my boss, “why is he REALLY leaving?” “What will make him stay?” “What can we do?” etc. My boss informed me about all this at the close of business yesterday.
Meh.
In my mind’s scenarios of my quitting I must admit that I envisioned this and sort of relished it. I had these grandiose visions about me turning in my resignation and the company freaking out. In my mind, it played out much like Ralphie’s dreams about the Red Rider BB gun in “A Christmas Story”. It was all supposed to be really flattering.
The reality of it is, its upsetting me and pissing me off a little. Damn it, its too little, too late from them. There was never even an inkling that they would have helped move me within the company. Ever. And also I view the whole thing with the higher-ups with a sense of dread- because I don’t want to be barraged by these people and I know its coming.
… calm blue ocean… calm blue ocean… calm blue ocean…
Mangina Monologues 
It’s always when they realize they’re losing a valuable employee that the higher ups also realize who’s carrying their pathetic asses.
Revel in it, make them grovel…and then leave anyway if that’s what you want. That’s what I would do.
…But then I’m a heartless bastard.
Once you give notice it is best to leave. If you stay, you’ll always be the one that isn’t a team player and they’ll use the time you’re there to figure out how to replace you when you actually do leave. Unfortunately, their epiphany is about them, not you.
Now’s your chance to let them know what you think. It’s not like you’re going to stay. Who knows, maybe they’ll come through with big bags of cash and a better position. That said, you still have Minneapolis looming in the future, so it’s not like you have anything to loose. What are they going to do, fire you?
No. Its a done deal. I’m outta here. It is just upsetting that NOW they seem to care.
I went through exactly the same thing when I announced my early retirement to my regional manager. “We planned this for you … We were going to that for you … ”
Don’t look back. They were never there for you before. Move on and relish the changes coming your way.
What if they promised nude photos of mini-Jake delivered to your inbox on a daily basis?
I wouldn’t sweat it, CB…the grapevine will settle down in a day or two. Then you can finish out the remainder of your employment as usual.
Their loss is Minneapolis’ gain. 🙂
I’m in the same boat you are,cb. I’m making my own plans to get outta dodge by the end of the year (although, unfortunately, NOT yet out of this armpit of a city), and I know they are going to FREAK when it happens.
“Should have thought of that earlier when you were treating us all like nothing more than trained monkeys.”
Hfffpt.
CB –
Fuck ’em. You’re going to a better place in your life.
Gavin is exactly right.