Got myself in a pickle

[inapickle2300]

I used to work part time, but then my job was discontinued due to no fault of my own. The company said they’d keep me on until a job came up that I could do. Great, I was all up for that. Now, a job has arisen that I can do but I know I’ll hate it!! The manager will be chuffed he’s found me something that I can do but I’m going to have to turn it down. It’s full time for a start, and I never wanted full time. The company have been really good to me and I hate letting them down, I just have a sick feeling of dread in my stomach as I know what I’ve got to do. I’m a people pleaser and shy away from awkward conversations but I cannot do a job I hate for 20 years just because it gets me out of the conversation.

Can't you just tell them you want part time hours?

Yeah, say part time or nothing. Hopefully, if they really want you, they'll agree.

How do you know 100% that you'll hate it if you've not tried it before?

Have you previously told them you were looking for full time work? If you already do part time hours, you will have to tell them that you can only work part time.

Don't worry just say you can't commit to those hours and that position wouldn't work for you.

Have they made your old position redundant then? I'd just be careful they're not trying to get away with not paying you any redundancy pay. If your old position no longer exists and is redundant then they need to offer you a suitable alternative (and I'd argue full time hours when you work part time is not suitable). Or they need to pay you off.

I’m a people person and the job I had before suites me down to the ground. This role, I’ll be stuck in an office.

Thanks for putting it so simply, I think I’ve built it up too much in my head.

Just give it a go? And you can look for something else in the meantime.

Assuming they'll agree to PT, but they seem to value you so it's worth the conversation.

That’s what I think. They don’t want to pay me off like they should have.
I was part time because of children, but my children are teenagers now so I think they are assuming I’d want full time.

I know I have to rip the plaster off, I just can’t bring myself to do it. I think I’ll email him, rather than a phone conversation. I’m such a wimp 😩

does your manager not know you are looking for part time? Is the job you’re doing now part time?

Even if you take it, you don't have to do it for 20 years.

I spoke to my union rep and he has recommended applying and then negotiating the hours. So that’s what I’ll do x

Good luck!

BTW, you can be a people person, people pleaser, kind, non-confrontational etc AND assertive and state your needs and boundaries; they're not mutually exclusive 😊