Key questions answered by the experts.

Q: My company has been taken over. How will this affect me as an existing employee and should I prepare for this?

A: Any organisational change will contain an element of uncertainty and, in some cases, job insecurity for employees.

Individuals’ roles will have to be adjusted and redundancies may need to be made.

However, it is the duty of your organisation to manage this transition as transparently as possible to minimise the chance of stress that takeovers so often generate.

Talk to HR and your line manager regularly about the implications of the takeover on your own role and that of your team.

If the changes have been communicated effectively, either of these should be able to provide appropriate information on what you should expect, with relevant time scales.

If you have been in your current position for more than a year, you will have certain legal rights which must be adhered too throughout.

It is also worth remembering the positive impact change can have, and the development opportunities it might present.

For example, there may be openings for new roles and the chance to extend your skills beyond those needed in your current position.

It may be a good opportunity to use this time as one for reflection about what you are looking for from your career.

JO CAUSON,
Director, marketing and corporate affairs, Chartered Management Institute