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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
CremeEggThief · 17/04/2012 17:01

'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.'

Sorry, does this mean it would now take you 45 minutes to get there instead of 5? Is 45 minutes not enough time from dropping off at school/nursery and getting to work on the bus? If not, could a taxi be an option for you?

I still think you should take the job, even though Jean doesn't sound very nice, as it will put you in a better position for finding another job and it will also give you that chance you wanted to see how working full-time goes. If you don't take the job, won't Jean have 'won' and why would you give her the satisfaction?

JugglingWithTangentialOranges · 17/04/2012 17:04

I think you should take the job but after negotiating your car park pass. The boss has said they will be able to get you one by pleading "special circumstances"

I don't think it's so much that Jean doesn't like you and is trying to put you off more just that she has her own car park pass problems ?

I'm not working myself ATM which is making me appreciate the value of my previous jobs more than I did when I had them ! It will help you with getting something else much more than a big gap in your CV, and will be good to have your own money.

Good luck with your decision, and with your new job if you take it.

Googol · 17/04/2012 17:05

Would taking the job mean that you would qualify for applying for internal vacancies? That might make the job worth the risk? Although I would also speak with the person who clearly wanted you (and overroad Jeanybabes) and explain the situation, clarify parking, and clarify salary.

You need to be comfortable in the job and know what you can/can't do. If they don't help you then its probably not worth the hassle.

tiggyhat · 17/04/2012 17:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WyrdMother · 17/04/2012 17:08

I took the first job I was offered after my DD started school despite getting a really bad vibe off the boss who interviewed me because I've always managed to make the best of things in my previous two jobs. My first one I lasted 5.5 years (left becuase I moved house by three counties), the second 12.5 years (made redundant). I told myself that I had managed lots of difficult bosses and it would be fine.

Ha! I quit after three weeks and all my friends were astonished because I am not a quitter. Turned out the boss liked to make the Office Junior (not me) cry for fun and the Office Manager who was also his future son in law spent a whole morning covering up a mistake he made in fear of boses reaction. As soon as he started getting arsey with me I called it on me and when he started again I quit.

I'd suggest listening to your gut and either running for the hills or ring Jean's boss, explain the mixed messages you are getting and decide wether you want to proceed based on the response you get.

Good luck

PineappleBed · 17/04/2012 17:09

If you don't take it be very honest about why to Jean's boss. People get away with this nonsense far too often.

Tbh, I think the real issue is your husband's attitude to you and money.

WyrdMother · 17/04/2012 17:11

Try that again.... I called him on it and when he started on me again I quit .

WilsonFrickett · 17/04/2012 17:12

Jean is very, very threatened by the fact that they have managed to recruit someone who would not normally look at a salary at this banding. It depends how much you're up for a fight, I think.

And actually if the 45 min thing is do-able is of course a big factor - but a wee email to both Jean and the boss saying 'I thought boss said we'd be able to do something about car parking, as you now can't I will need to take a day or so to research my transport options' should put the cat nicely amongst the pigeons and I have no doubt magic up a car parking pass for you.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 17/04/2012 17:12

The 45 mins thing is definitely not doable. I would have to take ds to nursery for 8, then take dd to school, then come home, park the car, get one bus to the town centre, then one bus to the university. My next move will be to speak to the woman who offered me the job, but I am conscious that really that is going over Jean's head, and if things are resolved and I start, that would be awful.

OP posts:
NicknameTaken · 17/04/2012 17:12

Pineapple, agree that there's a big question over the attitude of OP's H.

LaurieFairyCake · 17/04/2012 17:16

Yes, but it's Jeany-pops who has created this situation - feel free to 'go over her head' as you're not getting what you were promised in interview.

If you just tell Jean that you're accepting the job on this salary and the parking permit how do you know she wouldn't just go back and say you didn't accept it?

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

It is 5 mins by car, on the back roads so no traffic lights etc. Would take about an hour to walk it.

OP posts:
JugglingWithTangentialOranges · 17/04/2012 17:16

What about the idea of emailing Jean re the pass but CCing to person who offered you the job. Or the other way round ?

email is clever in facilitating writing to two or more people at once ( with the excuse of keeping everyone informed Wink )

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

Pineapple, that is absolutely spot on.

OP posts:
KatieMiddleton · 17/04/2012 17:18

If it's already a pain working with the woman and you haven't even started yet I just can't see it getting better.

NicknameTaken · 17/04/2012 17:18

About going over Jean's head...consider it a warning shot across her bows. I think you'd actually be worse off it you let her get away with withdrawing the promised parking permit - your working relationship is starting off with her being able to get away with bad behaviour.

JugglingWithTangentialOranges · 17/04/2012 17:19

Yes, you could reply to boss person that you are happy to accept on X salary as long as car park pass dilemma can be resolved as hoped. Then just CC to Jean. No problem !

destroyedluggage · 17/04/2012 17:33

I'm going to turn the "only six months" thing around and ask if it's worth the trouble. The pay is shit and the vibe is bad...what's in it for you?

If it was a permanent job you could at least hope for a promotion or a payrise at some point...but it doesn't sound like the role is a stepping stone in your career in any way. I'd be tempted to give it a miss. You may be without a job for a bit longer but at least if something comes up in a couple of month's time you'll be free to take it.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 17/04/2012 17:35

I suppose I was thinking about the proximity to home, and wondering whether it would be a good in to the public sector. I have only ever worked in private, and I was hoping the work life balance would be a bonus.

OP posts:
CremeEggThief · 17/04/2012 17:35

If a taxi all the way is too much, what about a taxi from the city centre to the university, presuming your buses are reliable?

ImperialBlether · 17/04/2012 17:39

She can't be expected to pay for a taxi to work!

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 17/04/2012 17:42

CremeEgg - Possibly.

OP posts:
samandi · 17/04/2012 17:48

It's 6 months. I'd take it if it's doable and keep looking in the meantime.

Sarcalogos · 17/04/2012 17:51

I agree with the emailing Jean and CCing the boss. Definately don't start a new job with a potential bullying line manager believing they've got one up on you.

Original poster
Pinkjenny · 17/04/2012 17:54

Good point, good point at Sarcalogos.

She definitely didn't get the impression I was intimidated, I was all sweetness and light, but she just made it clear that she was making it as difficult as possible for me to accept it.

I was more pissed off about the 'you're out of work' comment. She has no idea of my circumstances and I have no idea how me not working since December has any bearing on my experience and the salary offered to me.

OP posts: