Dear Jewish Fairy Godmother:

I’ve worked at my company for two years. I also worked here ten
years before a two-year stint with competitor in another city. I came
back because I missed the people, hated telecommuting, and to work
for a star rainmaker who pays huge bonuses. Now the rainmaker is
leaving the company to start a firm of his own. He’s taking some of his
long-term people, and told me that if everything works out right he
bring me in later. In the short run, the company where I have been
working will keep me with reduced hours; everyone is being very nice
and saying they will keep me as long as they can. I feel like a traitor to
them and like a pawn in the hands of the rainmaker. I’m truly torn
about telling the truth that he wants me later but need to earn a wage
from someone to support my family. Wheat role does honesty play in
any of this?
Shafted

 
Dear Shafted:
Sorry to sound like an old cynic, but honesty is rarely what makes
businesses ac. And businesses rarely act in the best interests of
anyone except themselves. There may be benevolent bosses or caring
mentors, but the institutions themselves exist in large measure to do
one thing, make money, and unless you really have a champion, I
suspect you are slated for a landing zone with the guy who’s leaving,
and worse, expected to be demonstrably grateful that he’s offering you
work. If you need money to support your family, he’s your best short-
run bet. Though if you get a Do you want to come home again? Call,
you can decide later.

 
The rainmaker who is leaving has undoubtedly committed some
omissions of information to your current bosses as he prepared to
start his new firm. He clearly had discussions with his more long-term
colleagues, the ones whom he’s planning to take with him sooner than
he’s planning on taking you. Paste on your smile and take the
paycheck you can. The truth is that you may end up working for
neither of these folks. Polish up your resume and start shopping for a
place you truly want to be.