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someone help me keep some perspective

25 replies

maxpower · 19/01/2010 20:37

Hi, we've just been notified at work today that our directors have to come up with some short and long term cost saving strategies between our Trust and a partner Trust. It's really unsettled me, especially as my DH took a 50% pay cut to pusue a new career which makes me the main earner in the household.

Just tell me not to worry until I actually have something concrete to worry about!

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IsItMeOr · 19/01/2010 20:43

Gosh, easier said than done that, isn't it? Try not to worry. When can you expect to hear anything more?

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maxpower · 19/01/2010 21:18

Not sure. There's a departmental meeting tomorrow (I won't be in) and I know the directors have to submit some proposal by the 29th. Realistically, I'm trying to focus on the fact that this is just the start of a process and even if it results in redundancies, a) I might not be affected and b) they will have to try to redeploy staff first so it's not like I'd turn up on Thursday and be told you're fired.

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IsItMeOr · 19/01/2010 21:29

Trouble with reorganisations is, even if you ultimately end up doing exactly the same job as you did before, it can feel so unsettling while the process is going on. Have you been through anything like this before? Can you remember anything that helped you cope then?

For me, I found it helped me not to talk to other people at work about it too much, especially ones who were getting really worked up about it. Best to wait until there's a bit more info about what is actually going to happen, then worry about that.

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SingleMum01 · 19/01/2010 21:35

MaxPower - are you in the UK. I'm going through exactly the same thing this week. Wonder if its the same organisations. Its very unsettling.

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maxpower · 19/01/2010 21:36

Exactly isitmeor . I did go through something similar in a previous job which we all survived unscathed, but I think I feel more anxious this time round as I bring home most of our money now. I think it's the added responsibility and potential impact if the worst happens.

I agree about not going on about it at work, last time I tried to forget about it until we knew what had been decided. My manager didn't seem particularly troubled by it....

I guess I just need a little time to get used to the unsettling effect and then I'll probably be ok until we hear more.

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maxpower · 19/01/2010 21:37

Yes singlemum01 I'm in London.

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SingleMum01 · 19/01/2010 21:41

MaxPower maybe we can help each other through this. I know exactly how you feel, I'm on my own so the sole bread earner which is a scary position to be in. We've been told there will be no redundancies this year, and they would prefer to redeploy (though this may a job you wouldn't want to do or in a location you wouldn't want to be in). I keep telling myself to stop worrying I will have a job doing something - even if it may not be so convenient. Plus if the worst did happen they would have to pay a good redundancy package which would see me through a few months. Its hard though isn't it.

I'm in the midlands - wondered if it was the same organisation as we're also going through a trust/partner trust status.

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IsItMeOr · 19/01/2010 21:46

This kind of thing brings home how our families depend on us, doesn't it? You're doing a brilliant job of supporting your family, and understandably you're concerned that you're going to be able to carry on doing that. It's not surprising you're having a bit of a wobble.

It sounds as if you've coped well with a major change in terms of your DH's career, so that's going to stand you in good stead for any further changes ahead.

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maxpower · 19/01/2010 21:54

Thanks isitmeor that's lovely to hear. To slightly add to my stress, my DH thought long and hard about changing his job as he knew I'd have to take the burden of financial responsibility. I totally supported his change of career not least of all because his previous job had led to him suffering with depression for about 18 months. But because of all this, I don't want to burden him with my anxiety in case he overreacts to it all.

singlemum01 I'd be delighted to hold your hand through this. I really should remember to be grateful that I'm not the sole earner, my DH is paid, but just nothing like what he used to earn (his old salary would have covered all our bills on it's own). Let's try to stay positive. x

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IsItMeOr · 19/01/2010 22:04

Just saying it how I read it .

You know your DH, so please ignore if not applicable, but I wonder if you don't need to treat him with kid gloves now that he is in his new career? I just remember how I almost lost a friendship after I had supported her through a depression, and stopped sharing my problems with her. She began to feel like a charity case rather tha a friend. One of the best things I did was to make a conscious effort to start telling her about my problems, you know, as friends do. And we're still going strong.

But this may not be right for your situation.

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SingleMum01 · 20/01/2010 16:19

we had a meeting today and were told our jobs would be looked at in Sept to see if they fit with the new organisation

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maxpower · 20/01/2010 20:18

With my DH, when he had depression, I didn't overly keep things from him, but I do know how awful I felt when I knew he was stressed about something on top of his job. So in essence, not overloading him with my concerns is actually a help to me IYSWIM.

singlemum01 ok, so they've told you their plan. Looking on the bright side, that's 8 months to get your head round it, and consider any options you may have, before any decisions are made. And just because they're looking at your role, doesn't mean you'll be out of a job.

Try and keep positive but definitely offload on MN. x

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SingleMum01 · 20/01/2010 20:35

Thanks Maxpower - its not just my job, its everyones they'll be looking at.

How are you and your situation?

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IsItMeOr · 20/01/2010 20:51

That makes sense maxpower, you know what works best for you and your DH.

Hope things will be sorted soon for you and SingleMum.

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maxpower · 20/01/2010 20:55

No news my end, I don't work Weds so I'll get an update tomorrow I expect.

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maxpower · 21/01/2010 21:07

Didn't get much of an update today, so in that sense, I suppose no news is good news. Seems another section within our division is being earmarked to be shut down, so that might take the brunt of the cuts in our division.

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IsItMeOr · 21/01/2010 21:49

That's hard for that section, but good news for you hopefully maxpower. These things seem to take forever, don't they?

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SingleMum01 · 22/01/2010 11:18

Fingers x'd for you maxpower.

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maxpower · 22/01/2010 21:45

Thanks. It's horrible to have that 'thank god it's not me' feeling. This is all far from over mind. This is just the knee jerk stage where the trust is looking for some immediate savings. They'll be far more to come....

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maxpower · 28/01/2010 21:44

Told today they may be looking at reducing hours (although it's all non-specific, so I'm not even sure if they're considering this for my dept). I already work 4 days a week so don't really want to drop any more, but of course, if it's less hours or no job, I'd take the cut. We have 3 other staff in my dept who are paid for 5 days a week, so I think there'd be a good case for one or 2 of them to drop a day first to make it fairer.

Apparantly the trust has to find £2m before the end of the financial year, so some sort of staff cuts are almost inevitable.

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SingleMum01 · 29/01/2010 11:22

Oh maxpower, its crap isn't it. Its so demotivating and no-one wants to go to work do they? Fingers x'd for you x

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maxpower · 29/01/2010 20:54

I'm just fascinated as to how those in charge have only just seemed to become aware of the situation hence the massive panic to make savings. I really can't believe they knew nothing about this earlier in the year.

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maxpower · 03/02/2010 18:22

we find out tomorrow what cuts they're making in the short term and any plans for longer term cuts.

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SingleMum01 · 04/02/2010 11:12

Maxpower fingers x'd. Let us know what happened.

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maxpower · 04/02/2010 20:35

God, what a day.

For the moment, it looks as though my office is ok, but it is highly likely that we will be subject to a reorganisation if not in this coming financial year but in the next. We've been advised that in addition to making savings of £2m before the end of March, the Trust has to cut 10% in expenditure every year for the next 3 years. I just can't imagine how the hospital will continue to operate at the same level with essentially a third less in income by the time this period is over.

At least the executive acknowledged there has been poor financial management this year - it doesn't make anything any better, but at least they aren't trying to blame those of us on the shop floor.