To think I was unprofessional

[MsJamieFraser]

I work in a specialised field, I had to apply for my own job, (due to funding cuts) so I had to do a personal statement, an assessment day, a skills exam, and finally a interview...then a second interview...

I got the job, however the business was restructuring and I got told my new position the other day, it's a completely different role altogether, and one that I will have to work an extra hour a day for. (late) plus to me it's a tedious role. (However been informed the role is being amended)

They told me of my new position, and they where shocked by my reaction, I was non committal and stoney faced. (Big style)

They assumed I would be pleased as I expressed an intreast in the role, as they where short staffed and asked me to fill in

This has been a 9 month process, and not entirely what I expected, in all the processes I was applying for MY current role, even stated in emails, interview questions, and all correspondence that I was only applying for my role. I was completely blind sighted!

Im now resigned to the fact I'm changing positions and location, however there is an element of me that feels I have been unprofessional.

This kind of restructuring is a hard and cruel process. I don't thin you have behaved unprofessionally, you were just surprised.

It's not like you laughed and them and said 'You've got to be joking'.

No of course not. What did they want, champagne corks?
You've been professional and presumably courteous, while also unhappy. That's fine.

Sorry I missed out the most important part

I got took into the office and my senior manager told me of my new position before the new structure was sent out by email..

I was unhappy and my body language told colleagues I was unhappy, however I was not allowed to say anything until my new position was "announced"

Colleagues then asked if I was happy and I had no other option to tell them I was not, I just couldn't lie, everything in me was unhappy, I cried, (not in front of my colleagues) etc... And would well up if people asked me why I was unhappy.

Basically it means I am now not going to put my DC to bed a few times a week, I will see them in the morning, 7.30am-8am (breakfast club) and not see them at times till the next morning. Depending on what shift I am on. (They would be in bed by the time I come home)

I was determined as a family I would not do this again and was a major reason I took this role.

However i feel my hours are being forced on me, Ridiculous I know! Insist want to tuck my kids into bed, as the last 8 years I haven't been able to due to working hours.

I'm sure with such a detailed interview process, they feel you are more than suitable for the role. I would try doing the role and see how you get on, you might surprise yourself. As it is a hard role to fill in, do you think they are pulling a fast one? Either way, good luck and congratulations in your new job.

Sorry op, x post. Can you look at the details on the new contract and think it over or ask them to alter some hours so you can spend more time with your dc/family?

Sorry was writing that while feeding my 9 week old baby niece.

No I don't think they are pulling a fast one, I think they thought I would not be bothered by where I was placed, I'm a easy going woman, normally go with the flow, but this isn't a role I see myself doing. I was also told the line of business needs....

I'm going to go in with a open mind, and go from there, i just don't see myself in this role at all.

Open mind tho. Open mind

The whole thing sounds miserable. Are you in a union? I am in a slightly similar position with a forced change of hours although I am in public sector. I have taken union advice and they may be able to help me improve those hours although it will be a compromise on both sides and nothing is set yet. I have also had to make a flexible working application. I am by no means an expert and this may not apply to you at all - I don't want to raise hopes. Just wonder if it's with getting some proper advice (or moving this to employment issues) as to whether you have options here.

Cam you start job hunting?
And congratulations on the niece! :o

XPost. If they have already used the business needs line then they use that as grounds to refuse any flexible working request. Again, I have no expert knowledge I'm afraid.

I don't know when I will get my new contact, I don't think anyone knows...

Some of my department (that I manage) are going to new location by the end of the month, I am going to head office (currently at sister head office) until possibly Nov-March, then I will go to new location...

Been told contact will follow when we move to new location.

Ive question the role since then, but all I've been told is to keep a open mind, which tbh now I'm sort of looking forward to.

I don't think you acted unprofessionally at all . You are a human having a human reaction. Shouting " fucking hell, that's not what I expected" would be unprofessional.

The thing is, they can't force a new role or hours or job location upon you h less you agree to it. You've applied for, and been offered, a new role (albeit not the one you originally applied for). If you don't accept it, what has happened to your original role? I'd its gone and you've been there for more than two years you'll qualify for a redundancy payment. I'm an employment lawyer and amused to seeing large organizations go through these convoluted "reorganisation" processes in order to avoid redundancy liability. Don't sign anything and take advice before you make a decision.

Not unprofessional, just human as a pp said.

It's a huge impact on you to have an extra hour a day and see your kids less. No wonder you're sad.

Also, NINE MONTHS of interviewing for a job YOU ALREADY DO? What a waste of everyone's time, no wonder you feel frustrated. Have some and . I'd offer you a but you're holding a baby

I've been employed less than 2 years, (13 years previously in old role, different organisation) I took the job... 3 weeks later we were told our positions "may" be made redundant, my positions isn't being axed, or made redundant, im just being restructured due to needs of the businesses.

I'm with a union, however due to less than 2 years service I have no "rights" hence why i I feel forced.

TooStressy how are you feeling about it all? can I ask what compromise you are coming to?

Ah, yes, that does make it more difficult then. It does give me the rage though! Hope you can negotiate a better package. If not I suppose you'll just have to take it whilst you find something more suitable.

Hi, I had a thread (a week or so old now) if you want to look it up, got some really good advice on there. It's about turning around a bad relationship with your boss. I don't know how to link it, sorry. Tbh I am massively pissed off. Thattime you made me chuckle as I have come very close to saying that :) .

My situation is different. I'm wary of putting too much on here but essentially I have a new manager who wants to renegotiate all our hours. This will mean me struggling much more with childcare. Like you, I am in my job for it's flexible hours. I have been there much longer than 2 years.

So far I have put in a formal flexible working request which has been accepted in principle. I asked for a compromise of hours, so not what I wanted but not what my manager wanted either. Eg if the hours she wanted me to do were 9-5 and I wanted 8-4 then I offered 8:30 - 4:30. However, I need to stay late sometimes and I am not sure how often that will be. So no compromise reached there. I hope we will meet in the middle with that too.

I have been accused of being unprofessional too and not supporting the organisation. Frankly my morale is in my boots and I despise my boss. She thought I would just roll over and take it and our relationship is now appalling.

Don't leave things too long before you get advice. Citizens advice bureau and ACAS are free.

I should add that if I could have left I would but I am tied to the organisation for 18 months or so. Union has advised me to start looking for a more flexible job within the organisation (hard to find) immediately :(