A work wwyd

[RosAlt]

Briefly- I have worked in my current company for 10 years. My job is like a pair of comfy old slippers. I am part time, flexible and local so I can sort out all school runs, do assemblies and coffee mornings etc. Under paid though. Nothing more than statutory benefits.

The company is under new management and because I wasn't sure whether I would be kept on I applied for other jobs. I have been called for an interview with the civil service. My current job is still uncertain and tbh I am not sure I want to work under the new managers. They basically laughed at me when I mentioned that it might be nice to get a pay rise as I haven't had one since 2017. Plus they are tightening up on my flexible working (previously I could work my hours when I wanted to) and they want me to work set hours in the office which is fine but it would mean not being able to do all the school runs.

The CS pay is about 10% more but the pension is amazing compared to what I get now and so it makes it more attractive as I won't have to put so much into my SIPP. However it is about half hour further to travel and I doubt I will have the flexibility I get now (although I will probably lose it where I am by the new year) which means any extra money will be eaten up in before/ after school clubs and train fare.

The CS job sounds interesting and is currently a mixture of WFH and office based. It is part time or a job share but I won't know details of hours until I am offered a job (I know, I haven't even got it yet!).

My DH isn't very supportive - he says all the right things but even doing the school run for me so I can do the interview is being met with sighs and huffing.

I don't really need to work either as DH's salary covers everything but I have always wanted to work and bring in my own money. I have never not worked and being made redundant scares me (which sounds silly, I know). My DH thinks I should hang on where I am and take redundancy then look for a new job.

WWYD? Stay where I am and try to negotiate a flexible role with the new managers or leave and perhaps go somewhere less ideal but have a job?

I feel I need to work this out in my head before having the interview as I don't feel I can give it my all if I am conflicted.

The other downside would be leaving my colleagues, they are all great but I know that can (and will) change as some have already left/ been pushed out.

I think you need to think to the future rather than just look at what suits you best right now.
Short term pain for long term gain.

You won't always have to do the school run. Your salary with the CS will increase, and your have better career prospects which might increase your salary even more.
Possible other benefits too eg the pension you mentioned.

Assuming there is a way to manage the short term pain of course.

My DH thinks I should hang on where I am and take redundancy then look for a new job.

Sorry but that's just plain stupid.

It sounds like the time is right to move on. Better to be in control of that.

I think you are right, @MrsFin

I think my days are numbered at my current firm anyway, there is no progression available really and I know I won't get a pay rise.

I feel bad for my DC - they are yr4, yr2 and reception - they love that I can take them and pick them up from school and they are only small for a little while. However, it would probably only be 3 days a week at most that they would have to go to clubs. The school has good wraparound care as lots of the parents commute.

I do think the CS job would provide stability and they are known for their flexibility/ family friendly policies and so it could be better than I fear.

Fear of the unknown I suppose and I worry about making a mistake that makes everyone miserable.

CS job sounds like better prospects, you may want to go full time when your kids are older.
I'd be a bit worried about your husband's attitude- he is he worried he'll have to do more ?
Always good to have a decent job , you never know what will happen in the future.

Good luck by the way

@ftw163532 I can see his point - according to my contract I would get one month's notice and 10 weeks' pay which would give me quite a bit of time to find something else.
He thinks I am rushing into it before I actually know how the land lies but I already get the feeling that the new managers aren't happy with me, if that makes sense? So it is better to go on my own terms.
Also the CS recruitment process is very slow - I applied for this job back in June! There hasn't been much else out there over the summer, part time work seems quite rare unless it is retail/ hospitality round here and that isn't something I want to do. I have always done office admin and accounts.

I would definitely take the new job. Good luck for the interview

There are unknowns on both sides, so whatever you decide you'll just need to make the best of it. It sounds like you've accepted low pay etc in your current job because overall the job fit well with your life, so it has worked well for the last decade but the civil service job might be best over the next decade.

The new management in your old job sound poor-if they try to get you to agree to new terms just ask for things in writing and say you'll need to look over it, don't be drawn into just agreeing, or just accepting their new rules. There should be some useful info online on how employers can make changes to terms and conditions.

If you have been allowed to work the hours you want before what is their reasoning for changing that now. Don't let them do that to you without pushing back. They should have a solid business reason why that is no longer suitable. They are the terms you are currently employed on. If that means the most to you just now try digging your heels in on that point and then if they really are unwilling to accommodate you then can make you redundant and you can look for another job. Most work places are becoming more flexible since covid not less so

one month's notice and 10 weeks' pay which would give me quite a bit of time to find something else.

Take it from one who has been there - the money doesn't last very long

@Fandangoes my contract stipulates my hours as 3 set working days 9am - 5pm but when I came back from maternity leave after my last DC I came to an informal arrangement with my line manager that I could work my 21hrs spread over the week how I saw fit and how worked best for the business. I usually work my hours over 4 shorter days to fit with school hours (I can see my office from the school!) but during the school holidays I go back to 3 long days as it is cheaper for childcare. During the lockdowns I just worked evenings and weekends. I always do all of my hours, if not more, each week and I have never received a complaint. I have done it for almost 5 years and so is custom and practice (or something like that), I agree.

The reason they want me to change is that we have merged with another company and they are moving some of their staff into our office and they will need the desk space for my other two days. We cannot do all of our job from home and it isn't possible for me to "save" the work up for my office based days. Plus none of their current staff have any flexibility and so I think they are worried that more people will ask for flexible working if I am doing it.

They could also move my location as per the terms of my contract and so I don't want to push back too hard because they could make me work out of a different location which would mess things up anyway, even if I kept the flexible hours.

If you get offered a CS job might you be able to negotiate a voluntary redundancy. Play hard to get and emphasis the change to flexible hours.
I have know more senior people do this.
Give it a go but after you get an offer.

RosAlt if you get this moved to the employment board someone there might be able to help with the terms of contract / usual working conditions issue.

The CS job sounds really and hopefully they'll allow you a bit of flexibility and home-working long-term.

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but - I GOT THE JOB!!

My goodness the civil service process is long and drawn out.

I have a meeting next week with HR to agree my working pattern - all I know it is for 3 days per week and my line manager seemed confident that we could agree flexible working.
I am thinking of asking for three days over four during term time (so 4 days 9-3) and over three days 9-5 during holidays. What are your thoughts?

Once the hours are agreed I can then hand my notice in at my current firm. As feared I have had to go back to less flexible working at the beginning of January - I managed to negotiate 2 full days in the office and then two half days from home but with it confirmed that I have no chance of a pay rise (apparently we are already paid more than those in the company who took us over) the decision to leave has been made very easy, especially as the CS pay is slightly higher than originally advertised because the job is in London.

At least my DC are getting used to 2 days of after school club and it won't be such a shock if they have to do 4 days.

I am excited!