VR Dilemma

MissMuppet

Hi All,

My organisation (a University) offered VR to all staff last year, the department I work in was under review at the time so they have held our requests back. At the time, we all put in for the scheme as we are just run down with stress etc... from being under review for nearly 4 years.

We have just heard that the Exec Group have now made a decision on our expressions of interest and we will be invited to consultation meetings imminently. Our courses are being run down (review decision), so technically in a matter of a couple of years we would be out of a job anyway.

My dilemma is whether to take VR (it's a lump sum, 12 months gross salary - I know this is good!) and then hope that I find another job before the money runs out, or try and negotiate better terms to see the remaining students out and keep my job.

It's so stressful here that each day I change my mind... they may not even offer it to me, but I need to start thinking about what I want to do.

I would love to have some time off work, having been working continuously for 20 years with no break to have children etc... but the worry about not finding another job is really playing on my mind, although in a couple of years I could be out of work anyway, without the lump sum.

Any thoughts would be gratefully received...

mothershipton

id be tempted to go, you sound really fed up with the place and i cant see it getting better in unis. I did a similar thing a few years ago and enjoyed a year off work being a stay at home mum then went back to work. good luck in whichever direction you choose.

MissMuppet

Thanks, I am really fed-up and am certainly considering doing something different... Just wish I knew what to do for the best!

Foggster

That is an exceptionally good redundancy package! I think you have answered the question yourself, you get another years salary whilst having the luxury of being able to look for other work without the worry of losing your job and no stress.

Take the VR!

MissMuppet

I know it's good, and that's why I am so unsure... I've never been out of work, so to be unemployed in this climate would probably stress me out. I've not been offered it yet, and I have a feeling my two colleagues who are near to retirement age might be offered it first... I wish they'd just put us out of our misery!

AndyGB_2

I was in a similar situation recently, although the package offered was even better than yours and would mean I had 2 years before I needed to find another role.

I didn't choose to request VR at the time of our restructure and instead tried for a different role. When I didn't get that and I was put into a re-deployment pool I decided that I really didn't want to run the risk of being offered a role I didn't want to do and so applied for VR and have been accepted.

I am now really excited and looking forward to leaving, my three month notice period can't go by quickly enough :rotfl: Yes there was/is some concern around getting a new role that pays the same, but all in all the cushion you and I have mean it shouldn't be too much of a worry.

Turtle

Yes, I'd take it personally. As you say, you'd be out of a job (probably) in a relatively short period anyway but without the money. A years salary is a gift in that you can think about what you'd really like to do and support yourself with retraining, if necessary. This is a chance not that many people get. You'd be in a far worse position if you left with no money and had to take any old job, and you don't enjoy the one you've got so what's to lose? Grab the opportunity! (if it comes your way lol)

jimmo

I know its not the same thing but when I was considering applying for Voluntary Early Retirement it seemed like the hardest decision I had ever faced.
Once I had made my mind up and put the wheels in motion it suddenly became the easiest, and best decision I had made in a long, long time.

gentlepurr

Hi, I'm just going through a similar dilemma at the mo, although i will only get approx 1/3 of a years salary, but i know the time has come to move on. In the big scheme of things i know i can make the money stretch to last me a year if it comes to it, but i'm ready for a new challenge, and one thing i do know, - nothing changes if nothing changes, bring it on.

Good luck, i think youve already decided in your heart of hearts

xx

MissMuppet

Thanks everyone, really good to see that many of you have been in the same position. I have a meeting with HR on Tuesday afternoon to find out whether they have accepted my request or not. Another member of staff in my department (an academic though) has been offered VR but to stay to see the students out until 2013, which would mean she'd still get the money at the end. I am hoping that if they don't offer it to me immediately that they will make it available for when my students have been see through to completion.

I will update you all about the decision on Tuesday!

MissMuppet

Well the meeting was held and I have been offered VR to finish on 31 July 2011. I think I have made my decision, I don't think anyone I have spoken to thinks I shouldn't take it... Thanks for all your responses.