Working decision, possible redundancy

olivebob

Hi all,

Just wanted some impartial advice. I have set up this account to specifically post this question/scenario, I am actually quite a heavy user on the forums already under another id.

So I worked full time and now part time for a national company linked to another company in the EU. This company has had a tough few years and if we hadn’t been held afloat by the EU partners we wouldn’t be around today. We have already went through a contract change and now we are going through another.

So here is the scenario, we have all been offered voluntary redundancy. Now being part time I would be able to ‘survive’ on my redundancy pay for approx 5 months. That’s all major out going’s plus transport to job interviews. But the question is if I actually accept that payout and am one of the lucky ones allowed to leave (its points scored) should I?

I know that’s an impossible question to answer but here are the pros/cons…
Pros
* It’s a job, its better than having none
* I won’t have to sign on and pay my own NI for the 5 months if I don’t get work etc
* I can still job search while at work
* I am well liked by a handful of work colleagues (or so I have been told)
* I know the job, its simple and an inexperienced position
* There are some good company benefits (pension/discount)
* I enjoy some of the people I work with on a personal level

Cons
* I hate my job, with a passion, I dread each day
* I need to be flexible but it quite frankly silly, i.e. 20hours available every day ( I work a max of 6.5 hours per day)
* There is little/no team in the area where I work
* When my contract change’s my hourly rate will drop, so less income for the same work
* I am far too experienced for where I am, I took it to get off job seekers many, many moons ago and never changed jobs, not for the lack of applications
* There is a possibility that another contract change will be around the corner and possible forced redundancy with little/no pay (i.e. the company goes into administration)
* I need/want a full time job but there is no hours available for me in this employment, a second job is really hard due to start time’s and now new flexibility as above
* The lack of jobs available could mean I would be out of a job for a longer time than I would like (I have been applying for about 2/3 months for a full time job)

My heart is saying go. I will have a small amount of money in my pocket and I would be free to start work as soon as a new job is available. I can get away from somewhere I feel lonely, over worked and soon to be underpaid, and with no team work/respect (on all levels). I will be in a better frame of mind to apply and attend interviews.

My head is however saying stay. I do a very easy job for a wage of just above NMW and I should be lucky I have a job. Also the monthly income would be much better than no wage for anything up to 5 months+. I also don’t want to be a burden on tax payers, although I have paid tax in the past and have paid a little in the last year I don’t want to be on benefits. I don’t want to take redundancy and then not find employment (although I will take anything) and find myself back on JSA. I would also prefer to work than stay at home doing nothing day in day out.

So any advice for anyone who had been there. Or any opinions on what you would do if you were in my shoes. I think I have about a week maybe more to decide what to do and I don’t want to take the wrong decision just because I feel depressed and upset due to the working conditions we have been under this past month (a separate issue altogether).

Thanks

olivebob

73 views and no opinions whatsoever

DVardysShadow

olivebob wrote: »

73 views and no opinions whatsoever

No one can make up your mind for you. You have done such a thorough analysis of the pros and cons that there is very little in terms of aspects to look at which you have not thought about.

Oldernotwiser

Could you do something more positive with your redundancy money rather than just living on it while you jobhunt? Relocate, retrain, do voluntary work, travel or set up your own business?

Scaredy_Cat_3

As DVardysShadow says, no-one can make up your mind for you, it really HAS to be your decision.

However, since you've asked, I would say the most significant point is the first con you've listed...

"I hate my job with a passion. I dread each day."

That strength of feeling would outweigh pretty much all other considerations for me. Of course, you've got to consider the wisdom of leaving a job, but you've also got to consider the wisdom of staying in a job you hate. You'll end up demoralised and resentful and with no self confidence. If you think you can afford it, I would say take the money and run... and then look at what you really want to do with your life and work towards that. Something will turn up - even if it means taking up party plan or Betterware etc. There are always ways to make a living if you are prepared to work hard.

Also, I *think* if you accept redundancy you will probably be entitled to JSA which should give you a bit of help while you look for a new job. If you stay where you are and eventually realise you can't stand it anymore and resign, then you won't qualify for JSA (as far as I'm aware) because it was your own choice to leave.

But remember, it's got to be YOUR decision. No-one reading this really knows your situation and none of us can make that choice for you.

Good luck!

paulwf

How long would you have before you were made redundant if you applied now? My thinking is you may be able to get in a couple of months job hunting now before you leave, then if you don't get anything and don't mind retail there is a good chance of getting a Christmas temp job for 3 months (whilst still job hunting). That would give you enough money to tide you over until next spring plus you will get some JSA as well.

That may be better than hanging on in a sinking ship with a bad atmosphere then having to leave in a hurry which would decrease your job hunting time, plus you might miss the Christmas temp period.

Ultimately you know best though OP, we don't know much about what types of jobs you want so we don't know how good your chances are. At the moment the job market is dire so a case could be made for staying on as well.

cat10_2

"I hate my job, with a passion, I dread each day"

It sounds like you have already made a decision.

olivebob

Thanks all

DVardysShadow, I understand that but I wanted some opinions. My friends/family seem to have none and I just wanted some advice.

Oldernotwiser, the amount of redundancy will not be enough to relocate/retrain but I have always wanted to volunteer so I could do that while job searching.

Scaredy Cat, thanks. I do hate my job. Its nothing I have ever wanted to do but I have 'fell' into it and got stuck. I have a passion to work and I know something will turn up but the situation with jobs right now scare me, so am I cutting of my nose to dispite my face I guess I will never know.

I didn't think you recived JSA if you take redundancy voluntarily? I don't think I would ever resign, I would just stick it out. Unless of course I had a job to go to.

paulwf, I think its two months? The problem being I have been job hunting for about 2 months already. Ok not everyday but most weeks and shooting off CV's/mail shots etc. I think because I am not in a good job that has no skills getting a job is/will be hard. Thats why staying put maybe better? I have had christmas temp jobs before so that is an option, thanks

One of the main points of me staying is because jobs are scarce. I am young, and at the moment work in a shop. My dream is two different carrers. One of which I am going to nightschool for in September. The problem is I have qualifications equivalent to A levels but they mean nothing in the outside world because the qualification is so specific and job are one in a million (or so if feels like it). Also re-training would mean full fees because I can't claim benifits (not that I would if I could). However saying that I am happy to turn my hand at anything... Its just finding something I guess.

cat10, as I said my heart has. My my head and my pride is telling me to stick it out and stop moaning :rotfl:

I think I will wait a week and think about it some more. Plus new contracts will be released by then

Thanks for responding, I will update this thread either way, if you want to know of course

teabelly

Flip a coin and go with whatever your gut tells you to do. Sometimes this is better than rationalising a pros and cons list.