Right choice

CDC2011

Needing some objective opinions on the following situation:

• Joined company in Apr 2009 but after a few months I wasn't happy in the role so looked for other opportunities within the same company
• Dec 2009 secured a 12 month 'career development' (CD) to cover maternity leave. (The deal being that you get all the CD job perks for the term and at the end of the term, you return to your original post and original conditions.)
• Dec 2010 - Jun 2011 - CD kept getting extended due to operational need (yay!)
• July 2011 - applied for second CD to cover another mat leave in same department. Expected end is June 2012 when I should return to my original post.

However, they have now announced my original post is now at risk.

So as part of the 'at risk' process, I now have to pick one of the following offers on the table:


1) Role A - a heavily sanitised version of my original role.

• Awkward shift pattern inc earlies, lates and weekends.
• Role based at HQ, a 20 mile commute each way.
• Significantly less money than my CD role (which is also based at HQ) meaning I would suffer financially as the only reason I can afford to do the commute at the moment is because the CD role is well paid. (The original post was located close to home so the drop in salary upon leaving my CD would have been manageable)

2) Role B - a whole new role in the same type of work.

• Awkward shift pattern inc earlies, lates and weekends.
• A number of responsibilities that I do not wish to have in a job. (I certainly wouldn't proactively apply for it under usual job hunting circumstances. )
• Bit more money than Role A and located close to home so drop from CD salary is manageable as minimal petrol costs.

3) Remain on my CD until approx June 2012 as currently planned.

• At the end, I will have no permanent post to return to.
• I will drop into the redeployment pool and whilst the company have promised to do their best, there is no guarantee of them finding me a new role.
• No suitable role in redeployment pool = redundancy

I have discussed all my options fully and honestly with my HR rep and can't fault their treatment of me.

I cannot take Role A or Role B on paper and stay on my CD as before. However in turning down either of these, I am effectively giving up my permanent role in the company. But, taking either one of these would probably result in me seeking employment elsewhere asap anyway.

I think I'm going for Option 3 and will be getting a letter explaining all the options, which will ask me to confirm my choice in writing.

On the plus side, I love my CD role and feel that a 'grey area' in June 2012 is better than taking a job now which I really don't want, that could make me miserable and could cause financial instability.

On the down side, my redundancy wont be a great amount if this is what happens in 2012 so this is of concern to me if nothing is available or I cant find a similar role in another company before it comes to that.

Having never been in this position before, am I making the sensible decision here?

SarEl

Would it be an unacceptable answer to say - if you have balanced the choices and risks and your gut is telling you what to do - then yes it is a sensible decision. There are no guarantees in life - or work. Role A and B can get made redundant. You don't know. You will never know! My mum used to say - you get one life and it isn't a rehearsal. You make mistakes or misjudgements - well that is part of life. But only hindsight will tell you that. And hindsight is no damned use to anyone.

CDC2011

Thank you! It is a perfectly acceptable answer

Having never been through the process I couldn't help the niggling feeling that I might be missing something so its good to know that someone else has reviewed the situation and can't see any plot holes.

SarEl

Oh I didn't say that - I can see hundreds of pot holes. But since life consists of pot holes you will never know which ones to avoid until after the event! There is just no point at all in accepting second best necause safe is never safe. You know the risks. If you never take any - you never succeed. Just vbe aware of the riks and then having made a decision - go for it. Life is too short to regret what you didn't do - or dare.

getmore4less

Can you leave the CD role at any time if another internal opportunity comes up or do you have to wait till the expected end date.

It changes the job avaialbility window

Also if this is maternity cover is there a chance that the post holder may not return,, also whats the chance of the holder of the previous CD post going for another child.


Sounds like A is a non starter on financial grounds so that is an easy elimination.

That leaves B, which you don't want to do.

Given that the original role was also a role you did not like that makes 3 unsutable(non ideal) jobs is this the right company to be working in.

CDC2011

Can you leave the CD role at any time if another internal opportunity comes up or do you have to wait till the expected end date.

It changes the job avaialbility window

Yes I can, at any point, and in theory I'd get some preferential treatment in the process as I would be classed as redeployee. So if I was up against people who already had a permanent, non 'at risk' post and I was largely suitable for the role, I am guaranteed an interview.

Also if this is maternity cover is there a chance that the post holder may not return,, also whats the chance of the holder of the previous CD post going for another child.

She is very likely to come back so that's a no go IMO. The other woman's mat leave was for her second child and has said will not be going for another.

Sounds like A is a non starter on financial grounds so that is an easy elimination.

That leaves B, which you don't want to do.

Given that the original role was also a role you did not like that makes 3 unsutable(non ideal) jobs is this the right company to be working in.

It is an excellent company IMO. The benefits in any post for example - annual leave allowance, pension scheme etc are fantastic and they do seem to care about their employees.

Its just that I joined in a role that wasn't great for me personally, and the roles I have manage to switch to aren't permanent. Add into that the current ecominic climate and budget cuts, its just bad timing in terms of job availability.

I would love to stay with them, but having gone through a few rocky years for one reason or another, happiness is key for me so I guess I would rather do a temporary post that is ideal in many ways, than accept a permanent one that is not.

getmore4less

I'd get some preferential treatment in the process as I would be classed as redeployee. So if I was up against people who already had a permanent, non 'at risk' post and I was largely suitable for the role, I am guaranteed an interview.
........
I would love to stay with them, but having gone through a few rocky years for one reason or another, happiness is key for me so I guess I would rather do a temporary post that is ideal in many ways, than accept a permanent one that is not.

Sounds like a good call, gives time to planfot loss of income.

Keep an eye out for other jobs and maybe some subtle baby talk to get some more matrnaty cover