Help, need a career change. Any Ideas?

bobsa1

I really hope someone can come up with some suggestions for me before I loose all my friends by boring them to death with my current work family issues.

I work part time (18.5Hrs) in local government, however due to loads of changes at work I'm currently working in excess of 25hrs a week( extra hours unpaid) . The job is really stressful as I have 20 staff and the organisation is going through major changes etc.

I used to love my job but now hate it. DH is self employed so really we need the security of a regular income from me but it is getting so bad at work it is taking over my life.

I have 3 children, 11, 8 & 1 and it is since going back to work after daughter 3 that I just feel really disenchanted with everything.

I feel that if I trained for another career I would earn less money, have even less flexibility and as I don't know what I want to do I can't even view it as the quest for a dream career.

Whenever I try and be objective about my skills etc. I start doubting that I have any and I just don't know what to do.

My ideal would be working from home, an option I can't pursue with my current employer due to the staff I manage, doing something fairly lucrative. (I know this is probably the dream of everyone).

Any advice really appreciated

Counting_Pennies_2

I work in local government, and I find our organisation quite supportive to a change in role.

Have you had a word with a helpful HR member, or is your boss approachable?

Under the flexible working rules in 2003 you can approach them whatever your level in the organisation about flexible working practices. Sometimes the roles in local government go unnoticed and all the time the role is ticking over they aren't going to proactively change something for you without your request.

How about speaking with them about the additional workload, and saying you need the hours to reduce down.

I have myself had a slight role change in my local government organisation, and where I hated the role I now love it. Mainly due to hours and boss changes.

You never know if you don't ask.

bobsa1

Thanks, I'm fairly certain they won't change my role at the moment, as we are due for government re-inspection. My boss has changed twice in the last month and to be honest I think people are trying to keep their heads down at the moment.

Because of my grade & the fact that my job share and I are the only two women at our level I get the feeling that despite legislation etc the organisation is not too keen on flexible working.

It is worth thinking about though & I'm seeing someone from HR about a member of staff next week, so might slip this in.

Thanks and please keep suggestions coming.

Splashie

I recently became self employed and I love it - have you a particular hobby or interest you could expand? that might mean going back to college but if you havent already been there may be hlep for this.
I have changed careers (degree in marine biology, worked in radio, then mental health, now freelance media consultant) and am very glad I did too because being in the wrong job can be soul destroying. My mum went to uni the same time as me and she even had a few other mature student friends who were single mums and they managed along - they enjoyed studying worked part time and ended up being able to seek a job they enjoyed. You have the extra support too

hope that is some help - but I know further study is not for everyone and I personally think it is better to do a practival course rather than uni - massage or other therapys can be done from a room in your house.

best wishes

Splashie

HappySad

I really feel for you. I left my last job when I was pregnant and will not return to working in IT administration. It sounds like your job would be more enjoyable if you where doing the hours that they paid you for. I am quite determined to do the hours that the employer pays me for. If on the occassion more hours is need that that is OK; but to do extra hours week in week out is taking advantage of you. Especially when you are not being paid for it.

How about speaking to your employer about going back to the correct amount of hours that you are being paid for. It would then put less pressure on you. When you have a family or a life outside work then you don't want to spend all that extra time at work.

As for working on what skills you have I found "The Perfect" books really helpful. "The Perfect CV" has a section that helps you to identifiy what skills you have and how to present them in a way that an employer would want. It will take you less than a day to read it. It is straight to the point and easy to follow. The book is only £7 http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844131440/qid=1128964149/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/202-0712184-1172635

Poppy9

Bobsa1

Just a guess but are you working in Council Tax or HB? If so can see it's hard to break out of these areas.

I too work p/t for LA at a senior level. I do work extra hours some weeks for no pay but I keep a record of the hours and take time in lieu in school holidays. If they object I ask them to pay me for the hours, which they have done on a few occasions.
My OH also used to run his own business for many years. Therefore I understand the need to have one steady income that you can rely on. I have to admit I am happier in work since my OH decided on a career change himself and went back into regular paid employment. He no longer works such long hours 7 days a week so I have more support at home.

Discuss with your OH how you can balance things at home and work. Too often women are left to do all the juggling and worrying while the men just concentrate on their jobs.

Good luck.

patchwork_cat

You say that you have a job share partner, are they pulling their weight? When you reach above a certain level in local government they do expect extra hours to be worked without extra money,overtime or extra time in lieu.

It is a long time since I was job share, but if I was offered overtime it was outside normal core hours.

Have you had a recent reorganisation? Are you due for one- surely if you haven't had one for a couple of years one will be along soon! If you feel that this is a short term problem maybe you could stick it out. Can I ask what level you are as there is an written rule in local government that above a certain level you don't put on your flexi sheet extra hours and people are forever giving the council extra work.( I know that people outside local governement won't believe this, but it is very true!)

Luis

Hi,

Just thought I would let you know that I am in a similar boat - I loathe and detest my job, and am on the verge of chcking it all in, with nothing lined up :eek:

I have no idea what I want to do instead, and was toying with the idea of going to a life coach, but not sure how much help that will be.

Good luck

Poppy9

In my LA overtime is payable upto spinal point 28 (Scale 6) £21,654. After this you are expected to work overtime for no pay and are not allowed the time in lieu. This may have worked years ago but now people are asking why should I work 45-50 hours a week and only be paid for 37. Why are former blue collar workers, who under single status acquired white collar holidays, hours etc, still allowed to have paid overtime regardless of their grade. Also former blue collar workers are still allowed to work job and finish for full pay, even if this means they only work 30 hours per week.

In my office, where virtually 90% of the staff are above scale 6 no-one now works extra hours for nothing. Most staff claim time in lieu and the section manager turns a blind eye to this. As a part-timer I would also argue it would be unfair to ask me to work extra days for no extra pay. Overtime is voluntary, you cannot be forced to work it. If work demands are creating such pressures then staffing, systems or timetables need to be reviewed.

bobsa1

Just read all your replies & yes you are right on several scores. I'm on the new grade 11, not sure what this is on old grades and I work in Housing.

I too wondered about a life coach and whilst OH is really good about sharing the workload at home I have now started hating my job.

My JS is a nice person, OH thinks she is a slacker, but to be honest I think we are both just as busy as each other. She is also thinking of leaving.

Our LA has the proud boast of being the worst in the country and despite the perception most of us are working really hard to dig the authority out of it's mess (created by our political leaders).

OH was today taken into hospital and I just think life is too short for me to miss out on the children through doing a job I don't like. The idea of reading a book to discover my skills is great and I will do that this week.

Any other suggestions appreciated or has anyone had experience of a life coach?

Splashie

Hi bobsa1

I'm very sorry to hear about your OH - I hope he's back out of hospital soon.

I have seen some different thearapists for different things.
I think you need to find someone who has a great raport with you, someone you click with, from experience I don't think it matters too much what alternative practice they work in only that it suits you and you are willing to give it a go.I suggest an alternative practicioner as many well qualified ones also have training in coaching or councelling.

I currently see a reflexologist who is also an all round occupational therapist- while she works on my feet we chat, this suits me much more that counciling or a coach where I would just sit there feeling tense, and alows me to express more thoughts witout getting too emotional

The relationship is most important - hypnotherapy and shiazu massage were fantastic at different times as well.

I hope that is some help - PM me if I can be any more assistance

best wishes

Splashie