To Look For a New Job

[Happyotamus]

I'm really conflicted at the moment. My job is possibly secure, but the are firing people, and it is contract termination rather than redundancies that have happened so it is really, really horrific.

The majority of staff don't know this is happening, I think around 25% of us are aware of what is going on, but because everyone is working from home people are not missing those people who have been given the boot.

I am not very happy at work for several reasons, but mainly a lack of development opportunities and basically not being given work that is stretching me enough (this latter bit has changed over the last two weeks but the project will end next week). There are some very toxic line management issues occurring and I have sort of lost trust in our upper levels.

I have found three really awesome looking jobs this morning and am thinking of applying for them. However, nobody else thinks I should look for a job at the present moment because the probation period is unsafe and I could easily be fired as first in, first out. They also don't think now is a time I should look for a job that would challenge me because the challenge could be too big and therefore it would be risky.

I don't know if I should just apply for the jobs and see what happens or if I should listen to the advice I am being given?

Apply! What's the harm in going for it and possibly getting in some interview practice?

I know several people who have started a new job in the last six months and about half of them actually did not have a probationary period. The companies don't want to go through recruitment process again, I guess, if someone leaves suddenly.

It's not the probation period that matters. It's that you would have very few employment rights for the first 2 years

The probation period is irrelevant. They can fire you for any reason they like (barring discrimination of course) within the first two years.

It’s a long time to be quite so vulnerable in this climate when nobody knows what’s happening.

Apply for them, but don't get your hopes up.

I occasionally recruit for work and advertised a vacancy last month. We had over 150 applicants!! This time last year I would maybe get 10 applicants for a role.

Like others have said you are at risk of being fired for any reason in the first two years. If I were you I would stick with what you have. The grass isn't always greener, new line managers could be worse, senior manager awful etc...

I'd apply especially if your current workplace are letting people go and not being great about it

new line managers could be worse

I doubt that - I have had a horrendous time with my line manager that is close to being taken to an employment tribunal. I am utterly miserable where I am.

Then why are you even asking? Apply!