Colleague wants her job back

Ok Patricia dear, I'll consider myself told.

What department? It's a pastoral management role for a year group.
You're probably right about the manipulation though.
However, schools don't just swap jobs back and forth. It won't happen.

Just make sure you are firm and say are happy in your current position. You don't want a change.

Be very careful OP.

Let management know that she wants your job because her next move could be one of manipulation to try to get you out of it.

"I see Princess Honeysuckle is not coping as pastoral manager is she? She's wrecking everything I did in that role, I might have to return to that dept to sort it out".

Absolutely not! She made her decision and you have been in your job a year now, it’s not like it’s a couple of weeks in!
Don’t let her pressure/manipulate/guilt you in to saying anything than “Unfortunately that doesn’t work for me”.

Of course we can say without knowing. Because the disgruntled woman is being unreasonable and both she and the OP know this. It doesn’t matter what the roles are, it doesn’t matter what the jobs are.

Stick to your guns @PrincessHoneysuckle . Mention it to your manager as “ I am a bit worried about xxxxx, has she said anything to you because she keeps mentioning that she wants her old job back. Just want to let you know that I am very happy in the role and have no wish to move, but am concerned that xxxxis not happy in her new role”

You took on her job when there was a vacancy available. You didn't just go up to her and ask for her job.
Now the job you are doing, is yours.

There are procedures that take place when there is a vacancy available. You don't just swop places!
Obviously, she made a mistake thinking the grass is greener on the other side.

She will have to look for another vacancy and apply through the normal channels. Its no good her asking you.
Does she really think you will offer her your job?

Just say absolutely not - Not your problem.

She can't just drop the HOY job, she will have been appointed with due process. If she is struggling, she'll have to go to her line manager (AHT?) who will then probably have to make arrangements for another appointment to be made. She'll just have to go back to being a MS classroom teacher.

Knew it would be a school. My experience though is usually "oh no Mary has left. Let's give her responsibilities to Peter and Sarah under " any other duties" and save some money"
Next time she says this laugh and say "yeah this is a great job, no way i want to leave"

It's a school. That's not how things work and she knows that.

Years ago I joined the company I am still with and after about 3 months was asked if I would be willing to go to the sales department I was in purchase for slightly more money as the lady that had got prompted into sales was not a good fit and expressed wanting to go back to purchase. In hind sight I think sales wanted that as well. I jumped at that as that was something that interested me much more than purchasing. So I would say if it benefits you go for it if offered if not then tell her you are happy where you are and sorry you either stick it out or look elsewhere either internally or externally. For me it worked out well and I am still there and am Shipping Supervisor.

How bizarre she thinks you'd just literally swap jobs with her? Just tell her no. You enjoy your job. The fact she doesn't is absolutely not your problem.

She can ask for a demotion into another role? If it exists? But no. She can't have 'your job'. If she's unhappy she should seek work elsewhere.

She's sounded you out for a (not great) idea, you've said no. I don't think you have to think much more on it.

“I’m really happy in my role and wouldn’t want to change, I’m afraid”

That’s all there is to it.

She has no right to your job just because she once did it before choosing to leave it.

What is your job?

@AImportantMermaid It is relevant for pay differentials in a company. They have to pay more at the bottom end and this means a lot more at the top to maintain differentials. Some employers have struggled with this and it leads to inconsistencies in job descriptions and pay. Although in this case, the money seems to outweigh responsibility which should be reviewed but some companies don’t understand job design, comparisons and evaluation and then rewards.

well if you're not up for leaving your job - thats that. No need to feel awkward, she is the one that is floundering around, not you.

I would say a clear “no, I am really enjoying this role and I don’t think I’ll be looking for a bigger role for several years. I will let you know if something changes!”

Surely the purpose of increasing the NMW is so that people can pay their bills and feed their families? The cost of living has skyrocketed. If people do a job they should at least be able to pay their rent.

I've just looked at the most recent posts. I love this from @ItsmeMargo . It could be a reply to multiple threads on Mumsnet. Sometimes we get so wound up in our thought process that we forget that saying nothing is the best way forward.

Good luck @PrincessHoneysuckle

Not sure if this is the case here, but this can be one of the unforeseen consequences of increasing the national minimum wage.

As the NMW increases then the differential between those on the NWM and those in more senior or responsible roles often shrinks.

This leads to people being reluctant to take in more responsibility. While the obvious answer is to increase wages proportionally for everyone many businesses can't do this.

And even when they can this feeds through into higher prices for consumers.