Voluntary Redundancy Dilemma

EconomicsGirl

I wondering whether to take vol. redundancy (VR) or not and would appreciate any advice. I'm being offered 7 months pay plus 3 months notice which I probably won't have to work so its quite good. Compulsory would be on the same terms though its not 100% guaranteed but they have said it will be.

My job appears to be in the new structure but we've been merged with another team who's work I'm not interested in and have been told the work is being mixed. Location is also not clear though appears likely to be where I am. Shouldn't involve a pay cut but may be downgraded or kept at same level.

I do enjoy my job but have done the same work for 7 years, and am ready for a change. However the jobs market is difficult at the moment and I'm wondering is it worth risking it or not. We have no mortgage and can manage without my income but I'ld hate staying home all day for any length of time. I do have very good terms and conditions - should be easy to match financially but not the holiday which is useful as I have 2 young kids.

Any advice appreciated - thanks

ceridwen

Its difficult for any of us to judge - not knowing your circumstances in detail or what the jobmarket is like in your area.

We can only say what we personally would do - given the information you have provided.

I personally would think "Well - as we dont need my money and I have two young children - then I will go for voluntary redundancy and give up work." But thats how I personally view it - being someone who doesnt like her job anyway/believes its best for children to have a stay-at-home mum if at all possible/has a poorly-paid job anyway.

Other people would take a different view and, of course, you might have a reasonable level enjoyable career, rather than a job you are doing just for the money but dont actually want it per se.

How old are your children?

getmore4less

How secure is the OH job.

VR usualy gives more control over uncertainty.

How will the work dynamic change after people leave

Are temporary or part time jobs available in you prefered fields.
(ths gives you the choice to ballance work/home)

Aby desire to do something different or at home

If you are home more can the OH earn more some way

Can you reduce costs if not working, (eg grow food, shop smarter, drop a car)


There are plenty of thing you an do to get out of the house,

I think initialy you can get all the little things done that you wanted but never had the time, declutter, ebay, tidy, deep clean, decorate, cook, more time with the kids education etc.
If timing is right you have the school summer holidays coming up so loads of time with the kids.

Depending where you live relative to other services you might start walking where you might have taken the car before due to time pressures.

There are a lot of volunteer options, or maybe part time paid work

Have a look at http://www.do-it.org/ for things in our area.
(over 400 within 5km of my post code)

EconomicsGirl

ceridwen wrote: »

Its difficult for any of us to judge - not knowing your circumstances in detail or what the jobmarket is like in your area.

We can only say what we personally would do - given the information you have provided.

I personally would think "Well - as we dont need my money and I have two young children - then I will go for voluntary redundancy and give up work." But thats how I personally view it - being someone who doesnt like her job anyway/believes its best for children to have a stay-at-home mum if at all possible/has a poorly-paid job anyway.

Other people would take a different view and, of course, you might have a reasonable level enjoyable career, rather than a job you are doing just for the money but dont actually want it per se.

How old are your children?

Thanks. My kids will both be at school in September, one is there already, one starts in September. At the moment I just work school hours (half-time) though this is in severe doubt with the restructure as all jobs are full-time but external jobs in my field are also all full-time. I do enjoy my job and it is a good job though career wise I'ld be better to move on but its not an easy market to move on in and also I want a job which doesn't involve really long hours due to the kids which restricts largely it to the public sector which is all being cut back. Thanks for your help.

EconomicsGirl

getmore4less wrote: »

How secure is the OH job.

VR usualy gives more control over uncertainty.

How will the work dynamic change after people leave

Are temporary or part time jobs available in you prefered fields.
(ths gives you the choice to ballance work/home)

Aby desire to do something different or at home

If you are home more can the OH earn more some way

Can you reduce costs if not working, (eg grow food, shop smarter, drop a car)


There are plenty of thing you an do to get out of the house,

I think initialy you can get all the little things done that you wanted but never had the time, declutter, ebay, tidy, deep clean, decorate, cook, more time with the kids education etc.
If timing is right you have the school summer holidays coming up so loads of time with the kids.

Depending where you live relative to other services you might start walking where you might have taken the car before due to time pressures.

There are a lot of volunteer options, or maybe part time paid work

Have a look at http://www.do-it.org/ for things in our area.
(over 400 within 5km of my post code)

Thanks very much for this.

My husband's job is secure however he's just gone down to 4 days a week as he prefers that and was finding 5 days difficult. We can still cover all our costs on him just working 4 days a week once my son stops nursery which will be soon.

There's very little part-time in my field, some 1 year contracts though in public sector but these are suprisingly competitive - guess its as 33% cutbacks across central government.

I'm worried about how the work dynamic will change - all the people I like best seem to have volunteered for VR but I'ld probably adjust - its hard not knowing what the alternative job would be. I've been told if I agree to go full-time I'ld have a lot more options.

No desire to stay at home for any length of time, no real desire to do anything different as I love my current field and its what my degree is in, happy to do a different job but would really like to stay in my field. I'm sure for a few months or so I could find things to do at home (thanks very much for the link) and say up to 6 months off may be nice but wouldn't want more than that. The school holiday / summer would be good to have off - I'ld like that. I don't drive so I could learn to drive. I have applied now but can withdraw - gives me longer to not make a desicion!

Thanks very much for your help.

EconomicsGirl

Just an update. I took vol red from the middle of the year and got a 10 month payout. With 2 kids it was easy to find things to do and I enjoyed it. I've now just been offered a job which is exactly what on want to do with lovely people so it worked out. Salary was just matched but with VR payout in profit.

Acc72

EconomicsGirl wrote: »

Just an update. I took vol red from the middle of the year and got a 10 month payout. With 2 kids it was easy to find things to do and I enjoyed it. I've now just been offered a job which is exactly what on want to do with lovely people so it worked out. Salary was just matched but with VR payout in profit.

Thanks for the update.

There are many people facing similar dilemas - it is good to hear that redundancy is not necessarily the "end of the world" and that it may actually facilitate a positive change in the persons life.

planning303

if my employer offered me 12 months wages to take VR i would bite their hand off!

But i am single in my 20's and have no dependents or any real responsibilities so not really the same situation as you.