*sigh* this may take a while

ohdearhowdidthathappen

First Christmas decision made.... usually we'd buy the children expensive advent calenders ie lego or make up ones etc.  This year, I've preordered the Percy Pigs one from M&S, which will save us £100   I debated a while about it, because I know they all love the fancier ones, but we need to trim a bit to keep Christmas under some semblance of control

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Work is tricky at the moment, staffing levels are down, so much more work for those of us that are there.  I did 3 days of 8-6 this week, my lists were rammed, so I only managed a 20 minute break each day.  Wearing a mask for the best part of 10 hours a day is unpleasant and I end up headache-y and tired, plus I'm getting a couple of big spots on my face.  Haven't had spots for years!!
Most patients are great, but there are several a day who try and get round wearing their masks properly and it really irritates me. I've started to stop what I'm doing and saying I won't continue until their mask is in place, but that has a knock on effect to my appointment times.  One woman added 50% onto her slot because I kept having to stop.  Grrrr.
I've had a chat to my manager and have said if it carries on, I'll be looking to reduce my hours.  She said several of my colleagues have said the same and she's going to refuse any requests to reduce hours as they wouldn't be able to run the department.  So basically we carry on as we are or resign.  Very tempted to do the latter.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

I'm bored of hating my job and I'm starting to research alternatives.
I'm currently on a training contract which finishes in December and I have a 2 month notice period.  So in theory I could hand my notice in mid October and be out of there by Christmas.
Today I've contacted a few recruitment agents and healthcare firms to see what the job situation is like.  Sounds really promising, there's a massive shortage (hardly shocking) so there are a few options:
- change trusts, likely to be similar workloads, but neighbouring trusts attract a higher cost of living allowance, which would be a 15% pay increase for a negligible increase in travel.  Not sure a slightly higher wage would solve the problems though.
- go contracting - roles in my modalities attract £35-50ph (I'm currently on £20ph).  I have ex colleagues who do this and are never out of work and can pretty much choose the hospital and hours they work.  Doubling my wage and having flexibility of being able to take annual leave when I want is more appealing, however there would be uncertainty involved.
- move into the private sector - higher wages, lower workload... but also worse pension, annual leave allowances
- work for a healthcare equipment firm, application specialist type role, although that would require longer hours and travel
- change sectors completely (which is what I'd really love to do), but have no clue to what and it's obviously not a great time with everything C-19 related.
Food for thought, I will spend the next month researching these and if things don't improve at work, I'll be handing my notice in.

mark55man

you can come unstuck contracting - its great when you the good times roll, but when there is a slump expect to be first in the queue - also some of the cash advantages will be eroded by the IR35 legislation if applicable.  Although as you are not sole money earner you do have some extra safety net.

For pension I have seen estimates that the NHS pension is worth >25% of your salary, which you would have to fund yourself, and you would have to invest the money rather than take the defined benefit.

I would look at changing trusts first, especially if you can negotiate working hours that are more suitable from the outset, rather than try (and fail) to make headway with your current management. 

You are correct about other careers at the moment, while business is still going on it is a bloodbath out there at the moment at all stages of life, especially for people not working in steady blue chip/government employment 

Anyway - your call, and you have obviously done some thinking, one very wise colleague said to me when moving jobs/careers don't think about what you gain, think about what you lose.

alt80

Sorry not sure what you do but looks to be nhs. Now I've got a lot of time for anyone who works for NHS but they seem to expect the earth from staff and pay a pittance. You've got to look after you - if you can earn more and work less that's a win-win. Appreciate the pension is good within NHS but are you going to live your life waiting for retirement? 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

mark55man said:

you can come unstuck contracting - its great when you the good times roll, but when there is a slump expect to be first in the queue - also some of the cash advantages will be eroded by the IR35 legislation if applicable.  Although as you are not sole money earner you do have some extra safety net.

For pension I have seen estimates that the NHS pension is worth >25% of your salary, which you would have to fund yourself, and you would have to invest the money rather than take the defined benefit.

I would look at changing trusts first, especially if you can negotiate working hours that are more suitable from the outset, rather than try (and fail) to make headway with your current management. 

You are correct about other careers at the moment, while business is still going on it is a bloodbath out there at the moment at all stages of life, especially for people not working in steady blue chip/government employment 

Anyway - your call, and you have obviously done some thinking, one very wise colleague said to me when moving jobs/careers don't think about what you gain, think about what you lose.

Yes, pension is very good.  I contribute 9.3%, they contribute 21% so it would be difficult to match.
IR35 applies, so you can't set up as a ltd company, most agencies use umbrella companies.
I'm just tired of them heaping more and more work on and the expectation that you'll just suck it up.  I do my own reporting, so loads of responsibility, it's vital I don't make mistakes (potentially life/death).  It's important I concentrate fully to not make mistakes and yet I get a 20 minute break in 10 (mask wearing) hours.  I know I sound like an old whinge bag, but it's getting me down as I'm concerned I'll make a mistake at some point and then they hang you out to dry.  

mark55man

I imagine a lot of the NHS is at breaking point - so you have my complete respect and gratitude.  But you do have to decide what is right for you 

savingholmes

Difficult decisions. Pension very valuable. Only realise how valuable as you get closer to retirement. Sympathise on breaks and workload though

ohdearhowdidthathappen

alt80 said:

Sorry not sure what you do but looks to be nhs. Now I've got a lot of time for anyone who works for NHS but they seem to expect the earth from staff and pay a pittance. You've got to look after you - if you can earn more and work less that's a win-win. Appreciate the pension is good within NHS but are you going to live your life waiting for retirement? 

Yeah, NHS.  I'm a radiographer and trained in 2 specialised modalities, so classed as an 'advanced practitioner', doing my own reporting.... that sums it up, they do expect the earth, I've been qualified 15 years and I've only recently hit top of band 6 (so the princely sum of £37k pa if full time and I'm not).  I like parts of my job, it's very interesting and never boring.  But there's loads of responsibility and I get tired of earning so little for the pressure.
Would merrily escape and do something else instead (anything stress free that paid similar), but not imaginative enough to think of what

ohdearhowdidthathappen

I am so full of cold this week, not pleasant.  Masks have an undisclosed benefit of hiding how rough you look  No temp or cough though, so bosses are like 'get on with it and don't bloody cough!'. Bless
Still loving Monzo, it's really keeping us on track and we chat about money and priorities more than we ever have before, but in a good way.  We've budgeted ahead for the month, everything covered and a nice amount towards Christmas fund has been moved over.  Our house renovations and FFEF accounts are still a bit said (ie empty), but that's fine, everything else is ticking along nicely