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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Rinkan · 23/04/2012 15:53

Just to clarify what MrsMoosickle said, the Proclaimers song about Jean is indeed poetic but not pornographic - in Scots vernacular, "puss" rhymes with " bus" and means "face". Grin

Emsmaman · 26/04/2012 14:21

Pinkjenny i thought of your thread the other day when I was meeting with a recruitment agency and telling them the jobs I have applied for/interviewed for recently. One was NHS and they told me in no uncertain terms that it would be a bad career move for me to go public sector when my last five years' experience is private. Was told that I would have a hard time returning to private sector and unless I was broke I should hold out for private. Just food for thought for you, if you are still on the fence about this one!

Pinkjenny · 26/04/2012 19:12

Quick update - we have agreed to amen my hours to half nine to half four, which gives me plenty of time to faff at either end of the day.

Dh and I have agreed that I will do it for 6 months only.

Thanks for everyone's advice, and for giving me the confidence to tackle it head on.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 26/04/2012 19:17

They must really want you - hope it works out well.

Pinkjenny · 26/04/2012 19:55

Thanks Random, I can cope with Jean for six months Grin

OP posts:
WorriedBetty · 26/04/2012 20:04

Sounds like Julia is an idiot - trying to stamp authority on things with no need and no benefit!

ifeelloved · 26/04/2012 20:49

Go get her Pink!!

emdelafield · 26/04/2012 21:06

Well done. I am really pleased for you. I am sure you will be amazing!

kiwimumof2boys · 27/04/2012 03:39

Let us know how it goes Pinkjenny !
I wonder if 'jean' is aware of how many people are talking about her online with this thread te he.

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