Local gov job cuts

Seraph123

Like so many in local government right now my job has come under threat. I haven't been told I defintely will lose my job but then again I haven't been told it's safe either. There's a voluntary severance package on offer at the moment (deadline just passed) and i decided to apply for my figures but as I'm no spring chicken I'm scared to death that I muight jump and then find i can't get another job. Also i might jump and then discover my job was safe after all. I have to admit that there's a certain attraction in not having to work 50 hours a week but only being paid for 37 and there's always so little time to spend with my husband. He works long hours too.i don't get paid a huge salary but I make a large contribution to the financial costs in our life. Decisions decisions. I would welcome some advice or comment please as i have had so many sleepless nights lately trying to decide what to do.

J_J_Carter

Sadly there will be many 'rounds' in the public sector. Once this VR process is finished, I expect they'll open up another round of VR in a few months to use 2011/12 money, then it'll be 30 day consultations with unions and CR after Xmas 2011 as they see the size of 2012/13 budget cuts.

> I muight jump and then find i can't get another job<

Have you looked and approaches agencies?

downshifter

You might like to think of this as an opportunity rather than something to be worried about - turn it on its head. Take a look at yourself and see if you have any dreams you want to fulfil, any dream jobs you fancy, any courses you always wanted to do. Also look at your finances and decide on the minimum you can live on. Then go and chase some of those other opportunities. Lots of charities look for people with local govt backgrounds for example.

Make a list of your skills and experience, as well as qualifications. Then look around and see what's out there, it sounds as if you don't particularly like your job anyway so it's a good time to move on. Ring up about any possible jobs in the paper or online, get lots of job descriptions, find out about other jobs and see what they're looking for, not really to apply, but just to get a feel for what other sectors are doing or need.. (at one point I used to get 10 job descriptions/applications a week sent to me) Ask friends about their work, keep your ear to the ground.

You don't need to just look for one job, you could do a couple of part time ones, or more for instance. I'm not sure how old you are, but unless you are over 90, you aren't over the hill in terms of job market. Maybe not even then - I'm looking forward to finding out!!

My ex husband and I are ex local govt, I jumped and he has hung on and taken early retirement in the end. Both are right or maybe both were wrong.though I am happier, he has just been hanging on and hanging on waiting to see what might happen and not really doing any work at all in the meantime.

In your situation I would jump now and go for something else, however i know I quite like risks and challenges. If you know you're in an at risk department, then the choice is easier, though every department is likely to be affected eventually. Good luck whatever you do.

DS

Seraph123

Thank you for your briliant comments and suggestions. Since I posted that yestersay i've been looking long and hard at what i really want to do with the rest of my life. I'm 56 and way back when I was a mere 21 this age seemed a millenium away. i always saw myself by the time I got to 50 as doing all those things I love like making wine, walking, baking, writing and doing something to help others ,i never thought for a minute that I would still be grinding away just to pay the bills. Maybe this is the oportunity to jump and make my life my own and in doing so spend some more time with my fanatastic husband. Lots to consider