To not want to take this job.

[Pinkjenny]

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.

I wouldn't take it. Have you considered that darling Jean would write reference for you if you decide to take the job and then look for something better? Also that working for a university you would not get a much better paid job for many years because they like you to move up the pay scale in yearly increments?

I was in a similar position a while back, including the parking issue, ridiculously low salary, tight dh, bad vibes... What swayed it in my case was that the nursery place for dd2 fell through at the last minute (staff long term sickness) and I used this as an excuse to pull out . Still glad I did - and I don't mind my kitchen one bit despite the exposed plaster!

"While Dh counts his savings".

Although they aren't strictly his savings are they? When you are a family it is slightly irrelevant who earned the money. As you have been at home for the last few months you have saved him a fortune in nursery fees. Perhaps you should invoice him.

So he wouldnt consider dipping into his savings for the family home?

I wouldnt just be saying "thanks but not thanks" to the job at this point.......

Ive been reading this thread but im obviously missing something with regards to your dhs tightwaddery.

OP, do the job

its only 6 months
you can grit teeth
it will look good on cv, esp as you were made redundant
its ££££ (stash your own savings)
gain some different experience

so if you can grin and bear it.........

TBH, don't go into a job gritting your teeth because you already know your boss is a wanker. I'd never had a bad boss in 12 years with that company, then another reorganisation gave me one. He ground me down very cleverly, and within maybe 4 months (it's a bit of a haze) my GP was suggesting anti-depressants. The company paid for courses of therapy (twice - I relapsed) and frankly I've never felt as if I operated on full strength since.

Do not put your mental and physical health at risk, there is no absolute need to do so even if your arse of a tightwad husband thinks there is . The logistics and Jean will damage you.

well some differing opinions OP! your call, good luck either way

I was one of the people who said to take it (and I think it's at least getting an estimate on the cab fare), but I'm going to wave some pompoms for you sticking up two fingers to them and to your H. They've screwed you around, promising things that they can't or won't deliver. Good for you for standing up to them and your H and believing that you deserve better.

I sent her an email this morning telling her that I would try and find somewhere to park in the immediate vicinity and that if I couldn't, it wouldn't be a viable option.

She was very nice about it. Dh and I had a drive around and couldn't find anywhere. His bright idea is to approach some houses on the estate nearby and offer to pay them in exchange for me using their drive...

Parking in someone's drive isn't a bad idea.

try these??

DHs idea is actually a commercial website.

Sorry about the permit situation pinkjenny - but maybe your DH has actually come up with a good suggestion re. paying someone to park in their drive. If you perserveer with that I bet you could find someone who'd be very happy to earn some money from their drive way - but obviously lots of people would say no as drive would often be in use. Just have to ask enough people I reckon !

People round here charge for parking in their driveway around £100 per month which may be cheaper than a car park but still a chunk off your monthly take home pay.

Forget the job I would be really really concerned about your DH and his unacceptable attitude to money.

That's bloody brilliant. Have emailed someone who is ten minute walk away. £40 a month. Dh can pay that.

Yay ! Well done pinkjenny - what a great thread this has been ! Hope the job works out really well for you. As I said upthread I think a job is a valuable thing to have in the present climate ( and something I valued more the longer I was looking for one )
BTW - Have to tell you I got a new job yesterday too - so feeling very pleased about that

Oh congratulations! We shall see what happens now. And I haven't forgotten about Jean...

That's great, pinkjenny. You've got to let us know how you get on with Jean.

And congrats Juggling!

Well done on the job in this climate.

If parking on someone's drive doesn't work out have you considered cycling? It's a lot quicker than walking

Good for you. Six months is not forever and in that time you might find something much better! I would wait until I found another job and was settled in then send 'Jean' a printout of this thread...

Ooooo, I am pleased too. Sounds like they've tried to be helpful to your issue at least, and you have found your own solution too.

I agree, 6 months contract looks good on your CV and good experience in its own right in current economic climate. It is only 6 months. Agree you can save your own money, and use your free time, of which you will have little admittedly!, to ponder why your DH has such an attitude about money, and how you can help him to change it .

Hope it all goes well.

Congrats. Agree that your dh should pay the £40.

Also, remember, her names not really jean!

If you take it please start a "Chronicles of Jean" thread

The driveway thing not a go-er. I am really bored with the whole thing now. As are you, no doubt.

there are a few sites like that if you google. Sounds like its more hassle than its worth though.