Does she go back

[buckcherry]

My friend started a new job in May which she has regretted ever since she left the other company because she was sick of being treated like crap she didn't tell them that and said it was the travelling that was the problem they didn't want her to leave offered her different hours ect. Now it turns out the guy that took over from her is struggling with the workload hence late orders lots of complaints from big companies she has been in touch with one of the directors who said he would have a word, turns out they are seriously thinking about getting her back (she is very good at her job) shame they didn't realise that before, they do now. Would she be better to wait and see if they get in touch or make the first move herself. WWYD

I would wait & let them approach me. Much stronger negotiating position.

Wait for them to get in touch so she can seem reluctant and shoehorn loads more money out of them.

Its not the money she prefers job satisfaction

So they already know that she is interested in returning?

How does she know that she wouldn't be treated like crap again-and what was done about it whilst she was there?

Yes the director told them she wasn't happy in the new job. She didn't tell them the real reason for leaving in hindsight she would have been better doing that. She worked there for ten years and she cannot stand this new job. She always enjoyed working there it was the way she was treated by one of the directors that made her leave, i think they have now realised what a good job she did.

Get her to sit down and write down her wish list for the job. All the things that she hated about it/wanted to change. No point in writing down "Mr Potatohead must be nice to me" - a nasty individual is unlikely to start treating her with kid gloves, so what would she accept.

When they approach her again - and she should not approach them: she should make a return conditional on actual change or a written (not verbal) plan as to how they plan to change the role so it is better for her. She should agree a timetable for the change and when they will sit down to review it.