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Original poster

To not want to take this job.

234 replies

Pinkjenny · 17/04/2012 16:29

I am a HR Manager. Well, was. I was made redundant in December from my part time HM role, and as you can imagine, there aren't exactly an abundance of part time roles around.

Anyway, I applied for a role at a local University, 6 months maternity cover, earning less full time than I was earning part time previously. I went for the role thinking I would give full time a shot, and whilst it is less than ideal (ds is 2yo at nursery and dd is 4yo at school). I thought I would put dd in after school club three times a week and use the role as a way to see how we get on as a family with me working full time. Despite the low salary, I thought the payoff was the fact that it is five minutes away.

I went for the interview, it was a panel interview, comprising of the person I would report into, her boss and a random. The lady the role would be reporting into (let's call her Jean) just didn't like me, I could tell. She was openly sneering at some of the things I said, so I was amazed when Jean's boss called me later that day to offer me the role. I was slightly confused as to why she was making the call rather than Jean, but hey ho.

I received the contract today, and I had to ring Jean as the salary was wrong and there was no reference to start or finish time.

Jean was perfectly nice on the phone, but seemed to be trying to put me off. I asked about the salary, she said, 'Its not wrong, it's the bottom of the banding' and I explained that I had been offered the mid point of the banding because of my experience. She went off to check and said, 'Mmm, you're out of work (and?) but I suppose you were offered that in recognition of your experience. Yes I am prepared to honour it.' Which is good of her. Not.

After we had established that the flexitime policy didnt extend to start time, she then said, 'there is one other thing, I want to be really honest with you, we have put your postcode into the system and you don't qualify for a car park pass. You would have to drop your children off and then get a bus to work. In 45 minutes.'

Right. I was very nice back, and told her I would come back to her, but she was blatantly trying to put me off!

Dunno what to do now.

OP posts:
mirry2 · 17/04/2012 16:34

Don't take the job, unless you really need it. If you do take it, just keep saying under your breath 'only 6 months, only 6 months.'

GinPalace · 17/04/2012 16:39

Hmmm - don't know how much you need the job.

However, I once went for a role I was very keen on, I was supposed to be ear-marked for one team but ended up being placed within another.

I had mentally committed at that point so accepted even though I didn't get a good vibe about the line manager I would actually be under - had really hit it off with the one I was originally going for.

I was in the job a year during which time she reduced me to a shadow of my former self, all subtle mental things - nothing you 'could put your finger on'

In the end I couldn't perform in the role and left, even though it was within my capabilities really. It shook my confidence even though I am normally really rock solid.

I would be vairy vairy wary of working for someone I felt a lack of connect with again. I don't expect to love all my future bosses but I will trust my instincts on a warning feeling next time...

that said, it depends how badly you need it.

If you can't get a car park pass are there any other places to park nearby or is the bus the absolute only alternative.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 17/04/2012 16:39

The woman that offered me the job also broached the car park issue with me, and just said, 'We'll get around it, we will put it through as special circumstances.' I mentioned this to Jean, but she said dropping children off doesn't qualify as special. She also said that she didn't qualify but no matter how much I asked her she just wouldn't be pinned down on how she gets to work.

OP posts:
GinPalace · 17/04/2012 16:42

P.s sounds like she is worried you will outshine her in the role while they are biting your hand off as they want to hire in your abilities which normally attract a higher salary - one side of the recruiting panel felt their luck was in the other feels threatened!

If you do go for it, get your pass through the other person and then if challenged, claim you had assumed that was OK as she said that to you first.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 17/04/2012 16:43

The university is on an 'A' road, and anywhere you would think of to park nearby has been covered in double yellows.

Do I need the job? It's a difficult question. Dh earns a very good salary, but is extremely tight arsed. So we won't be on the breadline if I don't take it, but I will have to listen to dh going on and on and on about money even more than he normally does. I haven't been able to speak to him today so I have no clue what he will make of it.

OP posts:
Hassled · 17/04/2012 16:43

Is the 45 minutes/bus thing actually doable?
I suppose it all hinges on how much you need the money. If you're coping OK without then yes, you're probably right to be wary. Working for someone you dislike is a nightmare. On the other hand, if the job is the difference between going under financially or not, you'll have to grit your teeth and yes, keep saying "six months only".

LaurieFairyCake · 17/04/2012 16:44

I think you should go back to her and remind her that it was said in the interview that it would be put through 'as a special circumstance' - in fact I'd email the person who offered you the job and say you want to accept it but Jean now says there is a problem with the car park pass and you can't get there in the time allocated once you drop your children off.

I agree she's trying to put you off but I'd go back to the person who offered you the job - it's quite clear they want you Smile

poorbuthappy · 17/04/2012 16:44

Given her current form I would go in there and ask someone else to check the postcode thing tbh!
Perhaps she put your postcode in wrong? Wink
It's surprising what some people are capable of. Also look at alternative parking.
Sort it all out then tell her you dont want to work with her? (Tongue placed firmly in cheek there, I know it would take time and effort on the OPs part but she's not exactly being welcoming!)

EldritchCleavage · 17/04/2012 16:44

Take it, and make it an uncomfortable six months for Joan.

BonnieBumble · 17/04/2012 16:45

I don't blame you for feeling the way you do. I'm not sure I would want the job either. Sad

I worked in HR for a University and it's the only job that I didn't enjoy. Everyone was very protective of their role, enthusiasm and going the extra mile was not seen as a good thing and the job was as dull as dishwater.

QuestionsPlease · 17/04/2012 16:46

Could you contact the person who offered you the job, revisit the car park pass discussion and and explain how you feel?

Rinkan · 17/04/2012 16:47

Bit confused - if the place is only 5 mins away can't you take your kids to school, park back at home and then walk to work?

Jean sounds like a nightmare but 6 months is no time and you might even enjoy showing her up for what she is by being fab at the job and taking the moral high ground. But are there other better, permanent jobs out there and do you want to make yourself unavailable for themby taking this?

DublinMammy · 17/04/2012 16:47

I wouldn't take the job - no matter how nice/ flexible the other lady is, you would be reporting to Jean and she sounds like a petty bitch. Do you really want to spend all day with her?

Coconutty · 17/04/2012 16:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rebecklet · 17/04/2012 16:48

"Everyone was very protective of their role, enthusiasm and going the extra mile was not seen as a good thing and the job was as dull as dishwater."

This sounds like HE to a T!

Gumby · 17/04/2012 16:48

I agree with Laurie

Why should you pass up on the job just because of one bitch?

You know to look out for her so write down everything she says that's dodgy

KatieMiddleton · 17/04/2012 16:50

God she sounds a nightmare. You're in HR so you know you negotiate whatever the hell you like regardless of salary. They don't have to agree it and you don't have to accept their terms.

Everyone I know who has worked in HR in universities has said it's dreadful. Sorry.

insancerre · 17/04/2012 16:52

Another one confused about the fact that it's only 5 minutes away but you've got 45 mins to drop off the kids and get there on bus.

couldimaybe · 17/04/2012 16:53

Its 6 months, take it, if you dont like it, leave and just drop it off your CV, you dont know what other opportunities may arise if you start there, with everything public sector these days being mostly internal recruitment only,

couldimaybe · 17/04/2012 16:54

Its probably 5 minutes by car, my mothers is only 10 minutes by car, but its 2 buses away and over an hour by public transport.

belgo · 17/04/2012 16:55

I'm also confused about the fact that you say it is five minutes away, and that is why you originally want the job, but then you would have to spend 45 minutes in the car anyway?

LimeLeafLizard · 17/04/2012 16:55

Hmm, well considering everything you've said, if I were you I'd keep looking.

If you are going to compromise on the part-time AND earn less then you were before, it might as well be for a job you like.

I'd look for full time in the private sector, go for an employer where you may be able to negotiate part time in future when you've proved yourself.

KatieMiddleton · 17/04/2012 16:57

The university near me (where I did my masters) is an hour away by public transport, 15-20 mins by car.

Keep looking Jenny and find something you love. Where abouts are you? In London?

NicknameTaken · 17/04/2012 16:59

Personally, I'd take it, but be braced for trouble. Keep a log of Jean's behaviour towards you. Keep the lines of communication open with Jean's boss (start by emailing Jean and cc'ing Jean's boss asking for "clarification" of the parking permit issue. By "clarification" I really mind a reminder that this is what you were promised, but phrasing it nicely).

If the job is hell, you can always walk out a few months down the line. It's a short enough contract that you won't need to worry about references being an issue.

Alternatively, if you do decide not to talk the job, tell Jean's boss why not. You've nothing to lose and why the hell should she get away with it?

maybenow · 17/04/2012 17:00

i would email the person who initially called you with a provisional acceptance based on getting the salary you want in writing and the carpark pass.
if they don't come up with either you can easily say it's undo-able.

even if you have to resign later i don't think yuo've anything to lose. and six months isn't that long so having to leave is unlikely even if it's really not great.
[i've worked in big organisations before with a terrible line manager but the size of the organisation dilutes the impact of one person]

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