Do I take new job or stay where I am?

PlutoinCapricorn

I would say that many are run inefficiently: I have seen this for myself.
Where fraud is involved, I have to search online for examples. Either way, donations are not being put to their best use.

Judgejudy

Well, - just to give you an update.

I went in today and handed in my notice. Immediately the boss got me to sit down and close the door. He asked what he could do to make me stay.

I then went on to say how concerned I was about certain things that I'd seen. He listened very intently. He explained to me that there definitely wasn't anything 'dodgy' going on but that he needed a bit of time to think.

He called me back later and explained that the accounts are audited every year. He wants me to stay and said that he could arrange a meeting with himself, myself and the accountants - in order that I could feel more comfortable about what I'm worried about. He also said that he would do his best to get me a pay rise (this isn't a problem for me, but I just let him talk). He said that he is completely 'above board' but that if I'm uncomfortable he wants to make sure that he sorts this in order that I don't leave.

VERY flattering I must admit. I'm going to see if he actually does arrange this meeting and if I can be convinced I think I would rather stay where I was.

PlutoinCapricorn

Without knowing the full details it is impossible to be sure that staying will be a good thing. Something about all this sounds odd. I am wondering why he is trying to keep you and get a salary increase, in a world of high unemployment when many people will volunteer. It sounds as though he is just saying anything to keep you quiet. If something really is wrong, why would you want to stay?

jetplane

From another viewpoint, do not expect the local authority to be without corruption, if you enjoy your job and are able to talk to your current manager about your concerns and have them resolved then think twice. There is often a gray line between what are allowable expenses and your manager may claim to be misguided in rewarding his staff in this manner.

I witnessed something very similar working in the LA, a senior admin officer was responsible for logging the expenses and sending them for payment. She had grave concerns over her managers actions and was careful to ensure that everything was logged accurately as she felt that she may be seen to be complicit. Eventually she presented the evidence to senior management and said she felt too uncomfortable to carry on.

Her manager was questioned, then submitted a sick note and once her pay had ended she opted for redundancy with early retirement, a pension and a lump sum. No disciplinary action, no investigation and she now has a job working with a local charity.

I another case a senior manager was reported for timekeeping and not being in the workplace. The whistle-blower had kept meticulous records over a period of time. The manager was never questioned as it was deemed that it was their word against his, although there would have been witnesses if an investigation had ever taken place. The manager tightened up his attendance for a while but was soon back to his old ways, by which time the whistle-blower had moved on.

If you leave your job do it for the right reasons and don't expect the grass to be greener elsewhere.

gettingtheresometime

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Without knowing the full details it is impossible to be sure that staying will be a good thing. Something about all this sounds odd. I am wondering why he is trying to keep you and get a salary increase, in a world of high unemployment when many people will volunteer. It sounds as though he is just saying anything to keep you quiet. If something really is wrong, why would you want to stay?

I totally agree - whilst it is nice to be wanted (been there done that!) his reaction sounds really really odd.

OP - would you be happy to talk to the accountant and understand their explanation or are you worried that you'd be spun a yarn that sounded right but was actually a load of rubbish?

Judgejudy

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

I totally agree - whilst it is nice to be wanted (been there done that!) his reaction sounds really really odd.

OP - would you be happy to talk to the accountant and understand their explanation or are you worried that you'd be spun a yarn that sounded right but was actually a load of rubbish?

I think if the accountant could put my mind at rest I'd be fine. But I think I'm going to take the new job I think now I've laid my cards down it might be best if I move on!

PlutoinCapricorn

I agree with that.

bouicca21

It's not the accountant who matters, it's the trustees.

PlutoinCapricorn

Yes. Auditors usually just do spot checks, and after all, if the boss has receipts for the meals he claims for and assures the auditors that it was business lunches, how are they to know otherwise? Also, if extra payments to staff are recorded, how are they to know that no work was actually done?

The one who is saying that everything is above board is the one who is responsible for the irregularities that you are worried about. Are you such a key employee that your leaving would damage the charity because you could not be replaced easily? If not, offering you a payrise seems like bribery to me.