Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Human Factors; Procedure
We were opening up multiple sectors to begin normal operations after the midnight shift.  Two fellow controllers and I came back from break. The FLM on position directed that two of us 'go to the [break list] list' while the third opened up the BHM; MXF and MGM sectors.  I was tasked with giving another controller a break.  As I obtained my headset and began asking controllers who wanted a break; the FLM changed his/her mind and advised that I was to open up BHM; MXF and MGM while the original person ( a CIC) was to give her a break. I chose a chair from the corner of the room and wheeled it towards the MGM sector (where the three positions are routinely combined).  Before I sat down; I could hear pilots checking on frequency on the empty sector next to me (MXF).  I immediately turned and advised the area that there was an issue.  The controller working the actual aircraft realized at the same time that her frequencies had been taken away.  I immediately sat down; turned on the appropriate frequencies; brought up limited data blocks and answered pilots who were calling center.  There were approximately five aircraft on frequency at the time.  Three of those aircraft were departing KBHM; checking on climbing to 100 and requesting higher altitudes.  I began working the sector and advised the previous controller to give me an over the shoulder briefing until we could get everything sorted out.This event was caused from a lack of communication from the supervisor. The FLM entered the command to close the sectors and move the frequencies from one position to another without verifying if either controller was prepared to do so.  There was no way for the controller on position to communicate with the traffic he/she was working.
ZTL Controller describes being told to get out another Controller for a break; while another Controller goes and opens a position.  The Controller is then told to go to the new sector and that Controller was opening and that Controller was to give the FLM a break.  While the Controller is moving to open the new position; aircraft are heard on the sectors frequency.  The FLM had already split up the sector and taken the frequencies from the original Controller.