Time For A Change

Post Reply
User avatar
Epponnee Rae
Posts: 15883
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:26 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Epponnee Rae »

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the replies.

What kind of grievance do you think I’d have, Pip? (on a personal level I have many but on a formal level I’m not sure. And no there aren’t many protections here, unless there was something like harassment).

I had a long text chat with some close friends here earlier about it - they are the first real life people I’ve told. They are also both ex-teammates and have left my org in the last 3 years on some positive and less positive terms. They both think I should take it and get the best money I can to get back home (while cussing out my boss, which I appreciated).

But reading your replies and sitting with it a bit makes me think they are really taking the piss and screwing me over. I can’t help but wonder if they would offer the other candidates this deal - take the role but lose your job security? If that’s the deal then they should put it in the job advert for an internal only posting. It’s a shitty move that they are trying to make sweeter with the one thing they have over me. I’ve seen them (and other teams) do this to people so I’m not surprised - and my manager’s raison d’être is having power over people :ella: So I should have seen it coming. WJ’s point about a secondment is a good one, as that’s more how it was positioned.

As for my current job, I am ready for a change. There is a LOT of it, although it’s not always the most intellectually stimulating. Just a lot of volume and I’ve gotten efficient at it. The only growth seems to be just taking more stuff, not qualitatively different stuff (like the things my manager said they’d get someone else in my post to do :george: ) I do like what my wider team does and being part of a big mission. The new role would continue that, give me different exposure (much more external facing), and might open up more job opportunities down the road - but it is a VERY competitive sector and most people doing it have a lot more experience than I do (at a similar seniority level).

Is 11 months enough time to find a new job? Maybe. A good new job in London/UK, or Europe (ha!)? Probably not. It’s not as if I could spend all that time job hunting! Frankly, one of the reasons I left the UK was for a better salary, and I am acutely aware that nearly anything else I did would be a heavy salary cut in the UK. Probably at least 50%, optimistically. See prior comments re getting a mortgage.

So I might get one of the things I really want, and a shot at a different role if I take it and get relocated. But I’d find it really hard to achieve some of the other things I’d hoped to be able to do on a personal level without job security. And I know I’m sitting here relatively comfortably but I’ve worked fucking hard for that and there’s a bit of me that feels like it could be going backwards, let alone sideways.
User avatar
Kenickie
Kenneth Attenborough
Posts: 45743
Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:43 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Kenickie »

It sounds like it's not right for you then.

Longer term, do you think living back in the UK is worth the salary cut? And would other benefits (shorter hours, more holiday etc) balance out the cut in pay for you?
If your back's against the wall, turn around and write on it.
Derek Nimmo
Posts: 29753
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:59 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Derek Nimmo »

Just echoing everyone else really, but your manager sounds utterly shitty and whichever option you take, I think you should be accelerating a job search.

With that in mind, which option do you think will put you in a better position to get a next role that you really want to do?
User avatar
Pippedydeadeye
Directory Pipquiries
Posts: 89247
Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:15 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Pippedydeadeye »

I think that it sounds like you’ve been undermined and bullied, but I think I’ve got a low threshold for what bullying is, and employers usually have a much higher one.
Wiggle
Posts: 3530
Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:02 am

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Wiggle »

I have a potential start date of 1st July and my name has been put forward for promotion (supported by 2 directors and 1 senior director); nothing certain but it's very encouraging to hear and have their confidence in me.
User avatar
Princess Morripov
Posts: 34154
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:30 am
Location: Ruler of The Kingdom of Morripovia

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Princess Morripov »

That's great Wiggle, well done!

Epp, personally (again me being very risk averse), and both options sounding shit, I'd probably stay where I was and look to push to get my role broadened with those nice extra bits that were dangled, and look for a more secure move internally/externally back to the UK/Europe where there isn't an 11 month clock ticking on you.
User avatar
bramblerose
Posts: 27486
Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:05 pm
Location: Somewhere, everywhere, nowhere

Re: Time For A Change

Post by bramblerose »

Well done Wiggle.

Epp, I think your workplace treats you very badly. I am also very risk averse and would do as Pov says but also look at getting out of there as soon as you could. You work hard and your efforts don't seem to be recognised.
Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either, just fuck off and leave me alone.
User avatar
Epponnee Rae
Posts: 15883
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:26 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Epponnee Rae »

Thanks again all, I am trying to think through all possible scenarios and feel all the things about the situation before deciding. The general opinion here though does resonate - and for people mostly working in the UK (which I obvs haven’t been for a while), is also informative.

I’ve asked for a written offer including salary before I make a decision or go back to them with a ‘counter offer’ for relocation, if I decide to accept. It doesn’t matter too much what they come back with as I would want them to put me at the top of the salary band (and commit to an equivalent UK salary), I just need somewhere to start (and know if they lowball me).

I am nervous about telling my family about it as they will be of the opinion that any deal is a good one if it gets me back home :)
User avatar
Dutchie
Posts: 2361
Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2019 10:12 am

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Dutchie »

Phew Epp, that's quite a decision to make because there is no "right" answer. I agree with everything that's been said above - you don't seem to be valued enough but on the other hand, you do seem to enjoy the work mostly. I'm not risk averse at all but in your shoes I think I would stick with the devil I know and use the situation as leverage to get more out of it all and to improve your current position. Then start looking around. The old adage applies here - looking for work from work is so much easier. Good luck with it all Epp and I'm very curious to see what comes out of it.
User avatar
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 16905
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:49 pm
Location: Brizzle

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Cosmopolitan »

I am 100% astonished that someone actively wants to hire a management consultant rather than someone with actual skills. They're not exactly specialist skills and are easily learned. Maybe suggest they pay for an MBA for you
User avatar
Epponnee Rae
Posts: 15883
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:26 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Epponnee Rae »

LOL, Cos. I wish I could say it was unusual in my org. The consultants run the show now.

I should have just done an MBA five years ago. I doubt they’ll consider paying for something like that even if I found a way to suggest it.

I told my mum last night and she is ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS. It’s a good thing she doesn’t know my boss or she’d be round his house giving him what for :lol: :love: She can’t believe that by for getting a temporary role on my own team that he’s effectively telling me to resign to take, and that they wouldn’t just second me into it (as WJ and others have mentioned).

So yeah. I still don’t have a salary offer to consider. I also don’t know why my boss is doing both the sending/receiving negotiation as he’s not the hiring manager for the other role, but whatever. I’ve flipped back and forth by the hour trying to work out what I feel/want and now I have a huge cold sore. Perfect for spending the day celebrating my brother’s 40th birthday with all my family :perky:
Derek Nimmo
Posts: 29753
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:59 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Derek Nimmo »

I'm with your mum on this one - but hope you have a lovely day regardless!

Well, I've signed a contract so will be back to wage slavery in a couple of weeks :cry: I've only interviewed for one job I really wanted in the last six months, and got told i was great but "overqualified and you'll get bored too quickly" :bomb:

This one has potential to be OK - concentrating on delivery and no sales, working with some very smart and (seemingly) nice people. It is in a very complex market that will take a lot to get my head round though, so three days in the office to start with and then a bit more flexibility when I know my arse from my elbow is probably a good idea. Still, farewell days as a lady of leisure alas.
User avatar
Epponnee Rae
Posts: 15883
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:26 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Epponnee Rae »

Congratulations?! on the new job, Del! Where will you be based when in office? Is it much of a commute?
User avatar
Rebel Pebble
Posts: 23865
Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:42 am
Location: Just right

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Rebel Pebble »

Congrats Derek! Hope it's not too much of a commute.

I never cease to be horrified at the unbalanced US work culture and the lack of employee protections there. I'm with your Mum too, Epp.
Derek Nimmo
Posts: 29753
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:59 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Derek Nimmo »

Central Brighton - should be about 45 minutes door to door assuming the trains are behaving. And thank you!
Wiggle
Posts: 3530
Joined: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:02 am

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Wiggle »

Congratulations!
User avatar
emma_p
Posts: 39028
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:50 pm
Location: stateside

Re: Time For A Change

Post by emma_p »

Congrats Derek!

I'm absolutely with your mum, Epp. Outrageous behaviour from your boss.
Annabella
Posts: 4804
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:16 am

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Annabella »

Well done Derek!
User avatar
Kenickie
Kenneth Attenborough
Posts: 45743
Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:43 pm

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Kenickie »

Congrats Derek!
If your back's against the wall, turn around and write on it.
User avatar
Estrella
Posts: 21279
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:13 pm
Location: The Future

Re: Time For A Change

Post by Estrella »

Congratulations Derek!
Post Reply