Feeling so useless and depressed about work situation

MissMotivation

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

The problem with accepting the job with a reduced salary and no car is not just about getting to and from work....if it was just me to think about then it wouldnt be a problem but I can't get back to my village to pick up my Daughter by 6.30pm.

I have to rely on public transport to put it plainly

The earliest childcare I can get is from 7.30am
Taxi to station 15 mins
Train to get me to work is at 7.45am
10 minute walk to work

Finish work at 6pm
Walk to train station 10 minutes
Next train is at 6.25pm
Get into station at 7.05pm
Taxi to village 15 mins
Get to after school club/childminders at 7.25/7.30pm (they close at 6.15pm)
15 minute walk home

I just can't get anyone to look after Daughter for these hours, with a car it was easy...on public transport it adds another 2 hours onto my day.

skintchick

Can;t you get an old banger of a car? For a few hundred quid? Just for now?

Cos I let me tell you - there are no jobs out there. I lost my job a month ago and I've applied for so many, and had a few interviews, but all I've been offered is something for 16 hours a week at £7 an hour.

If you can possibly take this other job then I would because there is NOTHING out there and it is only going to get worse.

I know you feel bad right now but you're being very negative at a time when you need to be positive and finding solutions.

pinkshoes

Could you not change child minder to one that's near your work?

OR... could you put an advert up asking to lift share with someone from where you live, and you'll pay half the petrol?

OR... could you negotiate flexible hours with work, i.e. starting later, finishing earlier, then doing some work from home?

They're human too, so talk your dilema through with them, and try and reach a compromise. Don't dismiss this job straight away, as the alternative might be MUCH worse if you can't find another job!

MissMotivation

pinkshoes wrote: »

Could you not change child minder to one that's near your work?

OR... could you put an advert up asking to lift share with someone from where you live, and you'll pay half the petrol?

OR... could you negotiate flexible hours with work, i.e. starting later, finishing earlier, then doing some work from home?

They're human too, so talk your dilema through with them, and try and reach a compromise. Don't dismiss this job straight away, as the alternative might be MUCH worse if you can't find another job!

1) Can't change childminder as she picks Daughter up from school and can't change Daughters school as only got 9 months left before she goes to Secondary school

2) The village I live in is tiny and there is no-one that works in the City that I work in

3) I've posted before about the problems I've had with negotiating flexible hours.....needless to say it was a flat "NO" from the company! The nature of the job means that it is completely office based and couldn't be done from home

You don't know the company that I work for......they are not sympathic to staff needs at all!

tsstss7

Have you thought about talking to your childminder about doing more hours temporarily until you can afford a car? She probably won't want to lose your business and if it's a case of a couple of months (or less if you can find a car you can afford more quickly) she might be more flexible than you think.

Marg

Sorry to hear about your situation but fwiw I think you should stick with current employer for now, putting up with it & use any spare time to look for alternatives. If you're down now, I think it would feel worse if you had no job at all. Advertise yourself like you would a house & network for all your worth & not just in your working area, at home as well - Think positive, easy for me to say, I know, but you've got to try.

As Horace says give ACAS a try too.

I have rarely found anyone's budget that can't be 'tweeked' downwards & there will always be some economys you can make - check other areas of MSE.

What are company going to do with your car? Maybe that's an area you could negotiate with them about rather than salary? There seems to be an oversupply of cars @ the moment perhaps if they lease it for you the leasing company may be willing to negotiate with you rather than have the car back?

Could you use your skills to renegotiate your own mortgage downwards for a while? Do you have space for a well vetted lodger? Village locations suit some people looking for a slower pace of life.

Good Luck!

debtdummy

cant u arrange for daughter to go to a friends???? i am sure the paprent wont mind while u get urself sorted