It wasn't supposed to happen this way

[Guest LizMarie]

On Monday, we completed our usual planning session for the next two weeks of work and afterwards I stopped in to talk to my boss. Along the way, he informed me that the person I know best and trusted in HR just retired. Uh-oh. That threw a spanner into my coming out plans with HR. I had planned to talk to that exact person in early April since I’ve had contact with her before but not openly about this specific issue. My boss saw this bothered me so asked why. Given that I do trust him and have no reason not to talk to him, I said, “Let me close the door. We probably need to chat.”

So out it came. He now knows. And his reaction? “I don’t see this impacting your place in this organization in the least. In fact, if it does, I will be very disappointed in whomever tries to make it an issue.” He also said with my HR contact having left the company last week, he will find out who is best for me to talk to in HR so I’ll either have an HR appointment later this week or probably the first week or second week after I get back from vacation. I did explain that I am aiming to complete the legal aspects of transition in the second half of this year with a soft target date of September. Once that is done, I can really be full time and start the clock towards GCS.

That also means it’s all in play and live. And my boss? He congratulated me on tackling something that must be very difficult to face. He also said that I probably have enough stress from this outside the office (which is true) but he wanted to make sure the office was zero stress on this specific issue.

I work with great people, for a great company. I hope I can continue to say that going forward.

Addendum: Today I received an email from our new contact in HR. She wants to see me the first day I am back from vacation, which is Monday, the 23rd.

My boss also reiterated that if I need to speak to him at any time, his door is always open.

[Guest Deandra]

That sounds like really great news. Congrats!

[tracy_j]

Congratulations - Thinking on your feet!

Things sound very positive and you have sorted things out without having time to worry too much

Tie to breathe and enjoy your break

[Charlize]

Liz that is wonderful news. You must feel so much lighter with so much acceptance and understanding. I always dreaded coming back from vacation but you have something great to look forward to when you return to work. Thanks for sharing you made my afternoon much more pleasant. Actually since i'm still making syrup it is still sweet.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest]

Congratulations LizMarie.

What a great company to work for.

Huggs,

Joann

[Guest Brenda Hailey]

Sounds like what happened is a blessing.

Congratulations clearing that hurdle unexpectedly.

Seems the best laid plans arent always the best

Brenda

[Cyndee]

That's a very important step, having the boss enlighened Liz and to treat you like this sounds like a green light to me, congrats on taking the plunge.

I also had told my supervisor privately first as well, set the stage for what was to follow with HR.

Best of luck as this unfolds

Cyndi -

[Guest]

Hi Liz,

All's well that ends well, and you certainly had a happy ending to this story, in spite of the circumstances.

All the best to you as your coming out continues!

Love, Megan

[Carolyn Marie]

There's nothing more important to success than supportive folks in HR and the higher ups. Sounds like you've got it covered, girl. Big congrats, and best wishes for smooth sailing into the new world.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest]

That is great news and enjoy your vacation. Hug. JodyAnn

[JJ]

Yea Liz! Sounds like it couldn't have gone any better and you must be feeling such relief that it is done and went well.

Congratz too on having the wisdom and courage to handle it right when the opportunity came

Hug

Johnny

[Guest LizMarie]

I'll be honest - given my company, it's HR policies, and the people with whom I work, I expected nothing but the best outcomes when this came time. There's more to go through, of course, but I'll deal with those each as they arise.

Most companies in the oil and gas industry seem to be very progressive. I am aware of a few (that I shall not name) who are not but they are losing employees to the companies that are progressive.

On Monday, the 24th, I plan to ask my HR rep about resolving current insurance coverage questions for SRS. Hopefully, it is covered, but if not, I will press on and see if I can get the appropriate exception anyway. And if I cannot, I'll just pay for it, though a bit further down the line.

Thanks for the good wishes all! And yes, this is a relief! As my boss said to me, he's sure that I have enough stress about this outside of work and his goal is to ensure that work does not add to that at all.