What does it mean when there's a meeting at work and you're not invited?

[Bryan]

A third of my department was suddenly called in for a meeting earlier today, and when it ended, I asked the woman next to me what it was about, and she said "I'm not supposed to talk about it".

This set off several alarm bells in my mind, so I thought I'd get a second opinion: would freaking out about this be a waste of time (I don't think my job is in danger; my recent one-year evaluation was very complimentary), or am I right to be suspicious?

[Goblinmonger]

1. Freaking out would probably be a waste of time

If it were about you, my guess is that the woman you asked would not have answered like that but have said something more generic.

On the other hand, I'm a paranoid SOB so bells would have gone off in my mind, too.

But fretting won't help.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. It doesn't sound good, but it's hard to say.

I don't know your workplace but you do. What possible good reasons could have prompted this meeting? Does your department ever do confidential work for clients? That would be a reason that is harmless to you.
Is there anything about the subset of employees who were called into the meeting that makes you think it's a benign event? For example, is it possible that the company is exploring opening a new office and this group of employees have been targeted because they live in the same area? That happened in my sister's company a few years back.

Can you ask your supervisor/manager for an explanation without looking bad? The managers must know that hush-hush meetings cause concern among the excluded employees and they should be prepared to field questions.

[Kerrytravelers]

3. Maybe some people in your department haven't been conducting themselves appropriately.

You may not know about it, but your superiors do and are handling it. Maybe the lady next to you is involved and is embarrassed to tell you.

It may be good that you're not there!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. Don't freak out...

Just do your job.

It could have easily been a meeting called to confront certain employees about inappropriate use of computers or somesuch.

Have a beer. :beer:

[tigereye]

5. I feel glad when I can avoid meetings!

it's one of the benefits of consulting.


You probably actually got real work done while they were meeting.... ;)