A fresh start

Seaxwyn

Big dilemma!

The people who had offered me the two-day-week job have just asked if I can work full-time for five months, going down to part-time after that (or possibly staying full time, all tbc). I am so tempted. It would be a higher salary and more interesting work.

I would need to start in four weeks time, so couldn't give any more than my minimum contracted notice. I know this would be a big shock and disappointment to my boss. And leave them with a big recruitment hole to fill - although they have one of those anyway, as even if I just went part-time I would shed a lot of my current workload.

What do you think, peeps? Take the full-time job? Or be more loyal and do the part-time one?

hypno06

Which do you WANT to do?

Whichever you want, go with it - you will make it work, one way or another.

No point in being in a job that is making you unhappy, if there is another on the table that ticks a few more boxes for you.

x

Wordsmith

For what it's worth, you have been saying for a long time how you want to change your job to something more interesting - and here it is out of nowhere. Write the names of each company on a separate slips of paper, pick one blind with the view to doing that job - how relieved/sad are you that you picked that one? Does that give you a "heart over head" answer?

Would doing the full-time one give you enough time for council work if you get elected? Does it save on fares? Does it give you more flexibility? If it were me (I wish!) I would write down all the important aspects and tick off the ones on each job that gives you those things, and make a "head over heart" decision on that.

All credit to you for wanting to be loyal to your present company and not let anyone down, but I wouldn't let this rule your own happiness/finances. If your boss got offered a better job, would he worry about leaving you in the lurch?

Think of yourself on this one. Good luck.

Seaxwyn

Thanks both. With every minute that passes, I feel more certain I want to jump ship. I do feel bad about the current employer, as I would/will be leaving in the middle of a big project that I am (mis)managing. the truth is that they could get a better person than me to complete it. I was hired for one set of skills and am now expected to use a completely different set.

I figured I need three things from a job at present: 1) reliable and sufficient income, 2) interesting work and pleasant work environment, 3) some flexibility to fit around other parts of my life.

The new 5-month-contract offers 1) and 2). The current job offers only 1) (and not even quite sufficient). The other combo I was thinking of - part-time at new company and look for part-time elsewhere, offers 2) and 3).

I think I should take the new contract. But I would welcome further thoughts. And I'd also welcome any advice on how to extricate myself from my current job, where I have come to be quite a central person in the organisation whose loss will leave several holes.

MatyMoo

*sneaks out of lurkedom*
Sounds to me like you are already half way out the door :rotfl:

I don't think employers have ANY loyalty to employees any more so I don't think you need to have any loyalty to them IYSWIM.

If your contracted notice period is 4 weeks they must know that at any point they could be left with a hole in their organisation and if they thought it was going to be a major problem they should have put you on a 3 month notice period.

If you feel you have to do something to help them through the period you either need to spend your notice period writing up a framework for the future of the project to stick to which would have to be quite detailed or there needs to be someone that can step up and be trained to take over, either internal or external - and you may have contacts externally that could do this.

* sneaks back to lurkedom *

Seaxwyn

Thanks Maty! You are right, I am mentally half way out of the door. But our employer is actually very loyal to employees - we have a useless employee who has been there for 13 years and they won't sack him because everyone likes him, even though he does nothing.

But... I plan to find the best temp I can to tide them over the interim period until they hire someone good. Then it's no longer my problem.

Wordsmith

Seaxwyn wrote: »

Thanks Maty! You are right, I am mentally half way out of the door. ...
But... I plan to find the best temp I can to tide them over the interim period until they hire someone good. Then it's no longer my problem.

Between paragraph one and paragraph two you decided you are leaving! If this was a slip of the typing finger then I'd say that's your answer!

I think you are doing the right thing for YOU (and it is about time you did the right thing for you!). If you explain things to your employer as you have on here (about now doing work you weren't hired for and don't feel you are best suited for and that you will serve your notice period making the loss of your position as stress free as possible for them, etc.) I am sure they will be understanding and grateful.

Would there be any mileage in offering to oversee things either from a distance or by going in for one day a week for a couple of months? I know it's extra work for you, but it is also extra money and might help you over the guilt a bit. BUT only if you will actually have the time (and, of course, the inclination).

Seaxwyn

I just told my boss I plan to leave and he was really nice and understanding. So I just have to wait for confirmation of the job offer and then I will give my notice. Hooray!

I also booked a weekend visit in June to a friend in Yorkshire. I feel as if life is opening up with possibilities.

Wordsmith

Brilliant! Life IS full of possibilities.

hypno06

Wordsmith wrote: »

Brilliant! Life IS full of possibilities.

Indeed it is!