work - stay or go?

[whiskersonkittens80]

Basically I'm undecided whether to stay or go at work and was wondering WWYD?

I've been in this role for 2 years, its a specialist role, quite niche and I love it. The current structure is (names changed):

1. Sarah
2. Bill
3. Diane, Laura, me

There's been a restructure. As Laura and I were on fixed term contracts, we were told we'd have to apply for the same job. Laura got it, I didn't but was offered a lower level post which I accepted as I had nothing else and also because I like the team and the work. The new structure will be:

1. Sarah
2. Bill
3. Diane and Laura
4. Me and 4 newbies they are recruiting

The roles will be regional whereas my current role is/was national. They also won't be specialist, I'd have to take on other specialisms and share my previous hard work and good contacts with the newbies.

I'm hurt and angry that I'm losing my specialism, and that I won't be a 'go to' person for those clients anymore. I'm upset that I'll be getting paid less.

Bill has just announced he's leaving but doesn't have any job lined up. This makes me suspicous although he denies there are any other issues in the company. I'm upset he's going as I saw him as like a father figure.

I don't know yet all the details of my new role. I've had a job description and its pretty much what I was already doing but apparently the exact details will depend on who the new people are and their skills/backgrounds, so I'm kind of in limbo.

Its a government organisation that I have worked in for 10 years. Good benefits, good security, unionised, and I like my team (not sure if I will like newbies though)

But I'm debating whether to stay or look elsewhere. The problem is my lack of experience in other companies and the fact there are very few specialist roles even at my now lower salary. Also I feel restricted, I can't do what I want to do because its all very much 'what's in it for us' when I'm more of a 'how can I help you' person...

So I really want to know what others would do in a situation like this? Stay or go?

You've worked there for ten years but you were on a fixed term contract?

Will Bill's role be advertised internally so you diane or Laura could apply leaving your previous role open again?

sorry, worked for company for 10 years, fixed term secondment initially for last 2 years.

I don't know what's happening to Bill's role, if it will even be advertised or another restructure. I think it will be advertised internally and externally. I don't think I'd have a chance considering I'm now two grades below him. I'd be pissed though if Laura got it after the hassle I went through with the interview she succeed at.

Will they protect your salary for 1-2 years post demotion?

What are your other job opportunities? I agree it's galling to be demoted and not good for your career in the long run.

Can you go back to your substantive role?

No salary protection.

Can't go back to substantive role as I accepted this new role (permanant) as I like the team and the work. It wasn't an easy decision, I had to weigh up salary vs job satisfaction.

Similar jobs elsewhere are few and even lower paid. In charities where from observation the workplaces seem a bit disorganised.

Really stuck as to what to do, but looking like I'll have to just put up in the hope things improve.

Were you offered redundancy?

Sorry for all the posts. If you had been with the company for 10 years I'm not sure how you can be on a fixed term contract.

And if the secondment came to an end (i.e. you gave up your substantive role) then why weren't you on a permanent contract?

Have you talked to ACAS or your union?