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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To accept a job knowing I’ll be leaving

80 replies

Polarbearflavour · 29/05/2019 14:51

I’ve accepted a job in the NHS (non-clinical) and they are doing all the pre-employment checks.

DH is a military officer and has been offered an accompanied posting abroad which would be really exciting - obviously I’m going with him!

WIBU to start this job in a couple of weeks only to quit in several months - before the end of year? I’m not working at the moment and it would be nice to have some extra savings behind me as I won’t be working when we are abroad...

I’m also rather bored at home all day! There is no temping going where I live, the only office jobs in abundance are NHS admin roles.

I’m very aware that any employer could get rid of me without any qualms so I’m struggling to feel any loyalty to the fifth biggest employer in the world.

OP posts:
Stormy76 · 29/05/2019 19:38

Take the job, the posting may get changed, delayed or cancelled. You can’t put your life on hold for his job. Have to say if my DH got an overseas posting I would be going and would leave my job as well.

78percentLindt · 29/05/2019 19:42

Depending on where the posting is, the October date might be flexible also. I had a poorly performing employee who was a military wife who I was taking through the disciplinary process . She was on a final written warning when she left however, she had been confident that it wouldn't get to that point, as she wasgoing with him on an overseas posting which kept being pushed back.
On the other hand, there is quite a cost to employing staff, especially if DBS and health interviews are involved, so it is not the fairest thing to do. ( I get that you didn't know about the posting until after you applied) If you opt out now, they have the option of appointing one of the reserves whereas in October they might have to re-advertise.

Original poster
Polarbearflavour · 29/05/2019 19:59

Oh dear, looking at some of the posts here you would think I’ve murdered someone! Grin

People leave jobs all the time, I’ve left jobs after a short time. Nobody is going to remember or care.

And no, I don’t think I’m “above” the job but an NHS admin job paying under 21k is not my vocation or career. It’s a job like any other.

I’m sure if I claimed unemployment benefit for a few months people on here would jump on me!

DH also thinks I should take the job.

OP posts:
Micah · 29/05/2019 20:02

I think i’d be inclined to be honest. If you’ve got through interview and dbs etc they may take you on short term anyway. Especially if it’s a “crappy band 4 admin job” you can jump right in with rather than need training.

When i was a student i had a kind of zero hours admin job in the nhs. I’d phone and say when i’d be home, and they’d arrange for me to cover in whatever clinic was short staffed. Especially as many admin jobs are done by women with children so i actually ended up getting calls off people who wanted to book leave asking if i’d be around.

If you’re that close they may employ you while they go through the recruitment process again.

Original poster
Polarbearflavour · 29/05/2019 20:02

BuildBuildings - where did I say that I could do what I want? Confused

I am legally entitled to resign from a job so in those parameters, yes I can do what I want.

And PCohle - stalking me is a bit weird.

OP posts:
PCohle · 29/05/2019 20:07

I'm really not stalking you. I've just posted on about 3 of your previous threads and recognised the name. As I've said, you seem to have started quite a few threads about your various employment issues.

If you and your DH are so sure that leaving a job after such a short period is a fine thing to do then I'm not really sure why you've posted an AIBU.

lljkk · 29/05/2019 20:13

I once took a job certain it would only be 3 months... I was still there 4.5 yrs later.

ime, NHS admin can't recruit enough people for love or money; they don't have another candidate to offer this post to.

madcatladyforever · 29/05/2019 20:14

Go for it.

greenlloon · 29/05/2019 20:22

Usually even if work does slow down you will be offered a similar role elsewhere. I worked with the nhs for over 20 years and never came across anyone who didn’t leave voluntarily. One of the advantages of a big company. one of the big advantages of working for the state one of the big disadvantages of being a taxpayerand the nhs is nit a company you creep this is the problem with the nhs.

blibblibs · 29/05/2019 20:29

You need to do whatever you think is best for you, but if you do take it be sure and check your contract. Our trust changed to a two month notice period a few years ago.

Thertruthisoutwhere · 29/05/2019 20:59

Unless people are planning to pay OP's bills they can't really tell her not to take it lol!
Op take the job, anything can happen in 4 months

Original poster
Polarbearflavour · 29/05/2019 21:11

Thertruthisoutwhere - exactly! I still have a mortgage to pay and bills. I have savings and ISAS but I don’t want to use them. We have a flat we rent out too. Not that we are are rich, ideally I need to work, if only part time.

DH is happy to pay the mortgage and bills and will be doing so when we are away as I won’t be working.

I’m sure I would also be jumped on for “scrounging” off DH or claiming Jobseekers Allowance. No doubt a few people would love to “report” me to someone in NHS HR or something for my audacity. If only they knew who I was. Only on MumsNet Wink

OP posts:
IMessedUpToday · 29/05/2019 21:17

I don't think anyone would want to report you. That's ridiculous hyperbole on your part. But it is a bit silly to post on AIBU, arguably the most contentious and brutally outspoken section of MN, and then be peeved that not everyone agrees with you. Hmm

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 29/05/2019 21:57

Most large public sector organisations now try and run a twelve month appointable list, there are plenty of reasons people take jobs and leave in under twelve months, especially in administrative positions.

I say this having recruited for the public sector. Take the job OP, the posting might be October it might be delayed. Just make sure you do it well while you're there, that's the real problem with short term staff. I knew a hiring manager once for a private company, looking for admin/entry level staff, university town, wouldn't hire students. 'they'll only stay three years part time at the most', my argument was it is better to have someone good for a while than have someone terrible for a decade. She now regularly employs students and some have gone on to work higher up in the organisation some don't, but she says they are generally flexible, easy to train and want to earn money so will work overtime. Short term doesn't have to be a negative.

Summersunshine2 · 29/05/2019 22:25

I'm not really sure why you posted this thread?! Confused

Runbikeswim · 29/05/2019 22:32

Yeah why ask if you have already decided it's fine?

GrumbleBumble · 30/05/2019 00:31

Why not sign up with a temp agency?

GoldenRule · 30/05/2019 01:34

Take the job. I work in HR and my advice is do what's right for you personally. Organisations can absorb attrition.

badfurday · 30/05/2019 02:31

Why didn't you sign up to do bank work within the NHS rather than having waste everyone's time and money. And as for it being "only" NHS admin, I hope you revisit that statement a few months in when you realise how bloody hard it is.

b0bb1n · 30/05/2019 02:53

I found out I was pregnant the week before I started at a new job. I felt I should let them know so they have the chance to hire a long-term employee who wouldn't be going on ML in a few months. But I started the job and didn't tell them until necessary because it was my first opportunity in that field of work and I had been so excited about it. Turns out they're amazing people and we're nothing but kind and generous and supportive of my pregnancy and want me back after ML. I think you should go for it, if it's something you want to do.

b0bb1n · 30/05/2019 02:54

*were

Peacocking · 30/05/2019 04:29

Just a point, someone said 'employers know the risks when they employ military spouses'. That's a bit off. So could we apply that to 'women of childbearing age' or should we accept employers discriminating against military spouses due to the risk?

Catren · 30/05/2019 04:43

I think yabu. It's a bit dishonest as you're not taking it in good faith, and will cost the nhs to recruit and train you for nothing. As pp have said they would have a second best for the role who may have found something else in 4 months, so they'll have to recruit all over again. It's time wasting. Is there no other short term contract work you could do instead?

Anyway you seem pretty sure that yanbu given your replies, so not sure why you came on aibu at all!

grumpyyetgorgeous · 30/05/2019 04:53

Sorry op, so many people seem to think that this is fine but honestly I think it's a bit selfish. It takes a job off somebody who potentially wanted to actually do the job properly and make a decent commitment. It also messes around the people in charge who spent time and money recruiting you and also it messes around your new co workers who will spend time mentoring you, showing you around and teaching you the role. Be upfront with them and if they're fine with four months temp work then go for it. But don't mislead people.

ElphabaTheGreen · 30/05/2019 05:09

I work for NHS. We are hugely understaffed. Takes lots to get a new member of staff, train them, sign them off. I'd be really annoyed if you were in my office.

Exactly. I’m also NHS and high staff turnover is the bane of my life. Recruitment and training are so time-consuming and take me away from my actual job repeatedly - imagine the cost to the NHS. I think you’re being incredibly selfish. Do temp work, FFS. Don’t be yet another drain on NHS resources.

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