The Mental Debt Struggle...

satchmo1

I'm guessing the siblings realised that a concrete way to support you atm was to repay some of what they owe you.

Keedie

Erm, I dunno about that @satchmo1 as my other sister just asked me to lend her £115 until Friday 🤦🏾‍♀️. But she always pays it back when she says she will, so that doesn't bother me so much, and that was from the passport fund so I don't need it. I've been rather lazy about getting my hair done so that I can take my passport picture, so it's just been sitting there. 

But.... I've had some kind of good news but a massive compliment nonetheless. My manager told me today that she has handed in her notice and leaves on 3 January 2023, and she has recommended me to our Assistant Director as her replacement. She asked me if I would be interested, and I'm not 100% sure as the role is full time, but she said that they could probably do it part time if I was prepared to work more days (I currently do just over 2.5 days). I said I'd staircase my increase in hours if I was to consider it, as I wouldn't want to change job role and increase my hours in one go as it would be too stressful. At 30 hours per week part time it's an increase in salary of £13,700 per annum and at full time, it's an increase of £19,500 per annum based upon what I currently earn part time.

It's a lot to consider, as although the increase in salary would make all the difference to my finances, I also need to think of the impact in terms of reduced downtime. The actual role itself although it is an increase in scope and responsibility, isn't that hard as I have done a similar role before. My sisters said that I've been doing elements of the job already which is why I hate my job so much as I don't get paid for it (aside from that recent bonus to keep me quiet because I kept complaining about my workload in relation to my job level). My manager actually told me that she thinks I should have been doing the job instead of her and she can see that I have been frustrated by things that need to change, but not having the jurisdiction to do implement anything. 

We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss the actual role, and I want to know what exactly it entails (especially as she seems to spend a lot of time not really focussing on anything or avoiding escalated queries at times), so I don't know what kind of sh*tstorm I could be getting involved in if I was to apply for it and get the role. I'll have to think some more and see what happens. But it's a flattering opportunity nonetheless.

LittleMissDetermined

That is very flattering @Keedie, and the increase in salary must be very tempting! It's definitely worth giving some serious consideration, even for the 18 months or so that the increase could be used to clear your outstanding debt and then you could move to copywriting as you have mentioned before. 
LMD x

AntoMac

 That sounds potentially very promising @Keedie
Sounds very much like you can do much of what is required already. As LMD says you could do it for a short term to speed up the clearance of your outstanding balances.
Plenty to consider and of course you’ll weigh everything up before you decide, but how good must it feel that your current manager is recommending you for the role. It’s clear from reading your diary that you are very switched in.
Sounds like you’re asking all the right questions anyway. Let us know how it progresses.

beanielou

That's good news 

Keedie

Thanks everyone, I have been very flattered by the recommendation and I have a meeting with my manager later this morning to discuss the role. So I'll see what happens thereafter.

I'd love to earn more, but my whole service area is a bit of a mess, very short staffed, lots of inaccurate or missing processes and some people are just coasting by and that's quite annoying to me as I work really hard, so I don't know if I really want to take on that level of responsibility. After all, it's just money. I don't want to become ill as a result of overworking or being expected to perform at a level that is unsustainable just because they know that I can do it. I used to run an equivalent HR frontline service back in my local authority days, and they all know this, but I deliberately chose a much lower level job at this organisation aftern not working for a few years, as I just wanted to do my job and not be responsible for others. But I have been incredibly frustrated as I can see what needs to be done to fix things, but it's not my responsibility, but I get agitated when people keep coming to me with their problems when I know it's a process or performance management issue that is beyond my remit. 

So I'm still thinking and methodically weighing up my options @AntoMac - I'm too diligent of a thinker not to do a pros and cons list lol. But that's very good advice regarding a short time frame @LittleMissDetermined, as 18 months at that salary means that I would be completely debt free as I would have an additional £450 disposable income and I could put an extra £300 towards my debt free journey. So it's a lot to think about.

I had my normal transfers come out today, £20 to the allowances pot and £1.80 to the PAD pot, so I'll declare this on the PAD thread in a minute.

LittleMissDetermined

From what I know of you @keedie, you won't jump into something that isn't going to be a benefit.  Only you will know if it's right for you, I guess one thing to consider is why your manager is leaving? Not sure if you said that but now I have started typing I can't go back to look. 
LMD x

AntoMac

It does sound potentially like the new role could be stressful for you Keedie, and you have plenty on your plate as it is. As you say, being responsible for others can be challenging, and you already have a plan to get debt free based on your existing earnings - a plan that is working.
It’s kind of one of those ‘nice problems to have’, where both options have their merits and their downsides. 
A good confidence boost that you’re being considered anyway. 

cinnamon123

This is good news Keedie - a huge vote of confidence in your work and abilities!

I'll just say that burnout is real but then so again is financial stress. If you decide to go for it, know yourself and set a VERY realistic date of when you will reassess. The better you are, the more they'll take (energy, time, etc.) and if you hit burnout level, then you'll be no good to anyone, especially yourself.

This is a unique opportunity to put yourself on the path that you want to be on - both financially as well as career-wise as having a certain amount of savings (and/or no debt) will help as you transition to the career you want. 

It seems to me that you don't want to be in this area of work. Thus, if you accept the position you will be doing so primarily for the money. Assuming this is correct, if you go down this path don't allow your lifestyle to inflate because of the higher pay.

Perhaps as part of your deliberations, draw up a list of what you will buy (aside from repaying the debt)...thinking about your AWE list, as well as giving yourself a small amount (5% or 10%) of the increase in salary each month that can go towards *whatever* you choose. Also think about the big stuff that will be coming up for your son in the next 2 years (birthdays, celebrations for passing exams, school requirements, holidays etc.) . Back into the numbers to estimate how long you would have to remain in the job to pay off your debt. Then perhaps add another 3-6 months to build up savings (or however long it takes based on what you think you want/need) and see if you think you could make it work that long.

This is me but I would also downplay any talk of increased salary. No one needs to get used to you earning a certain amount (for some reason I'm assuming when you switch industries your salary will drop a bit...I may be wrong on this).

Good luck as you work towards the decision. It's not an easy one because more money makes things so much easier but when it is earned with hard work and lots of hours, the stress that accompanies it sometimes isn't worth it. 

Either way, we will still be here cheering you on!

satchmo1

What about suggesting that you take on the role whilst they advertise and interview for a replacement? 
Or, how about suggesting that they pay you to analyze the departmental process failures and draw up a remedial plan?