I'm writing the E-Mail now to inquire, but I'm struggling to send because I almost know the reply. I'm curious what you would do in this situation & what you think will happen. I'll provide some context & try to keep it brief.
We are a local retailer with a few store locations & a website. They are a national retailer with 30+ locations from San Diego to Long Island based 3 hours away. They also have a website (though it does not look very professional). It is fairly clear they are more focused on their Brick & Mortar.
I am/was the sole graphic designer for the local retailer, based in our e-Commerce department of 2 people (me & a shipping associate). I did all the marketing as far as newsletters, social media, flyers, etc. I maintained the website graphics & built the products. These are roles they will already have covered (though visibly could use some help with?). Since these roles were doable outside the office & on my own devices I was allowed by the old owner nearly 2 years ago to work fully remote, eventually coming back to in-office 2 days a week to help with staffing issues. Since this agreement, I had moved a considerable distance away—about an hour & 45 minute total commute. It's doable but not ideal for full time in office considering my income & current car situation (200K Miles, can't afford another).
The new owners E-Mail mentioned them acquiring all of our store locations as well as the warehouse in which I partially work out of. The E-Mail talked about the two companies working together for now, adhering to a 30, 60, 90 day plan to eventually become one company—theirs. He tells us to continue reporting to our current managers (we don't exactly have one) & gives one point of contact for all questions. This point of contact is a store manager (partial owner) at one of our locations 4+ hours away. He has never met me & I'm not sure he completely knows my roles. The old owner is still with the company & is who I'd usually contact with—though I have no idea how much weight he still holds in making decisions. He would have essentially been my manager.
I'm torn on whether to reach out to this point of contact to ask whether I can continue my partially remote status under the new ownership or whether to continue regardless until told otherwise. It has been about 2 weeks & no one has really reached out to our small department regarding our future. As far as I know, it's just business as usual. I have been already continuing my partially remote schedule.
I was officially on-boarded yesterday. It appeared that the new company had officially hired me from the process. They asked for all my information for payroll including my previous week's hours.
What should I expect? What would you do? What is the usual practice in handling this situation?
Thanks for reading all of this & I really appreciate any advice.