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Original poster

To be considering walking away from this job for this reason?

24 replies

workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 16:18

I started a job last year on a Fixed Term Contract. The company has since been bought out with lots of promises to retain staff. I've been waiting for 7 months now to find out if I have a job from August.

I've been pretty patient despite the anxiety caused by the uncertainty of not knowing what will happen but have hung on because:

a) I like the job itself
b) the pay and terms are good
c) the job is flexible and fits well with my life

My role is very specific, no one else does it and I am something of an anomaly even within my team. This is par for the course with the job that I do, it wouldn't matter where I do it I'd be this lone niche worker so I am used to this and never feeling part of a team and am fairly resilient to it.

However, I have watched now as everyone around me has been given their permanent contracts and seems to know what they are doing from August.

I was told verbally a few weeks ago that there was a job for me and offered input on job description.

I have heard absolutely nothing since and today asked for a timescale because at the moment I only have their word for it that they want me to stay - I haven't signed a new contract and my current one expires in 6 weeks.

I spoke to HR and they said they haven't heard anything from my line manager about my role. So spoke to line manager who said they will ask HR what is going on.

I get the impression everyone has completely forgotten about me and to be honest it's making me feel completely really sad and like I don't matter at work at all.

I work hard and do a good job at work and I'm really not the kind of person who needs head pats, but just some minimal expectation of being made to feel valued and part of a team would really be appreciated and I am not getting that at the moment.

It's a lonely and sometimes traumatic role and I don't think I want to work somewhere anymore where people seem to have forgotten I exist.

I'm in the process of applying for other jobs and have already had a few offers, but none of them are as good term wise as the one I currently have.

Should I cut my losses and go based on how they've treated me (or not treated me)? Or hang on hoping that I'll see my contract soon?

OP posts:
Original poster
workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 16:26

OK TL:DR

Fixed term contract due to expire in 6 weeks and only a verbal offer of a contract made to extend it.

Should I walk or hang out for the contract?

OP posts:
fivetriangulartrees · 14/06/2023 16:33

I would do what you're already doing. Actively look for another job but don't jump unless you get something at least as good as what you have now.

It's a rubbish position to be in. When that happened to me, a few weeks before the end of a contract, I found a new, less interesting job with a better salary. When I told my manager, she responded, without blinking, that she would immediately make me permanent and give me a pay rise. I was so offended that she'd had the ability to do that all along but had instead left me in limbo, that I went through with leaving.

Original poster
workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 16:36

fivetriangulartrees · 14/06/2023 16:33

I would do what you're already doing. Actively look for another job but don't jump unless you get something at least as good as what you have now.

It's a rubbish position to be in. When that happened to me, a few weeks before the end of a contract, I found a new, less interesting job with a better salary. When I told my manager, she responded, without blinking, that she would immediately make me permanent and give me a pay rise. I was so offended that she'd had the ability to do that all along but had instead left me in limbo, that I went through with leaving.

Wow! That is absolutely gutting, I can completely see why you left.

There's just something so disrespectful about that scenario, I hope you enjoyed the new job you left to do.

OP posts:
Didtheythough · 14/06/2023 16:39

You've already had a few offers so that suggests you'd find it reasonably easy to get another job if this one didn't work out. For that reason Id probably wait a couple more weeks to see what happens with this job as so much of it suits your life.

Labraradabrador · 14/06/2023 16:46

You are doing all the right things. Would you be interested in any of the roles you have been offered if they could match (or improve upon) current package? Have you tried negotiating?

Original poster
workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 16:48

Labraradabrador · 14/06/2023 16:46

You are doing all the right things. Would you be interested in any of the roles you have been offered if they could match (or improve upon) current package? Have you tried negotiating?

Thank you, it's public sector and the top of the payband for both is below what I am on now so no, unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 16:49

The two offer roles are in public sector I mean, hence no negotiation. Current role is private sector which probably accounts for better salary and terms.

OP posts:
Dixiechickonhols · 14/06/2023 16:51

Keep applying.
Keep chasing Line manager and HR. Point out you are due to leave x date when contract ends. You would like to remain with company, have verbally been assured of a new contract but do need issue resolving.
I wonder if it’s just because you are niche they are struggling with contract or needing approval in terms as it’s not straightforward. So nothing personal just they can’t sent the usual ‘admin grade 5’ contract across.

DogInATent · 14/06/2023 17:02

Fixed term contract and no offer of either an extension or a new contract. You have to assume the contract will be ending as you previously agreed and expected it to. Find another position.

Stop asking about a new contract, instead confirm your leaving date and handover arrangements with your line manager. Asking about a contract clearly isn't getting through to them. They need to understand that the default position if they continue to do nothing is that you're leaving in six weeks.

Original poster
workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 17:03

DogInATent · 14/06/2023 17:02

Fixed term contract and no offer of either an extension or a new contract. You have to assume the contract will be ending as you previously agreed and expected it to. Find another position.

Stop asking about a new contract, instead confirm your leaving date and handover arrangements with your line manager. Asking about a contract clearly isn't getting through to them. They need to understand that the default position if they continue to do nothing is that you're leaving in six weeks.

There has been an offer of a new contract and I've input into draft JD just not been asked to sign.

Line manager has just messaged me now to say that HR are now working on getting contract sorted asap.

So I guess my original assumption that they've just forgotten about me was correct, which makes me feel rubbish tbh and like I want to leave.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 14/06/2023 17:11

Sign the contract when you get it and still keep looking for alternative work if you feel crap, but don't cut your nose off to spite your face until you find something better

DogInATent · 14/06/2023 17:12

A verbal offer is worth the paper it's printed on.
When do you have to decide on the other positions?

hattyhathat · 14/06/2023 17:15

You still have 6 weeks to go and HR can be rubbish. I'd give it to 4 weeks and tell your boss that after 4 weeks you'll have to assume its not coming so you can job hunt

Tabitha005 · 14/06/2023 17:16

fivetriangulartrees · 14/06/2023 16:33

I would do what you're already doing. Actively look for another job but don't jump unless you get something at least as good as what you have now.

It's a rubbish position to be in. When that happened to me, a few weeks before the end of a contract, I found a new, less interesting job with a better salary. When I told my manager, she responded, without blinking, that she would immediately make me permanent and give me a pay rise. I was so offended that she'd had the ability to do that all along but had instead left me in limbo, that I went through with leaving.

I agree, look and plan - it's always good to have a back-up. HR and your line manager are being very remiss in leaving it so late to organise things.

Same as you @fivetriangulartrees I left a job in April for the same reason; a mixed role split across two functions with no hybrid working that just wasn't working out. I made it very clear that it wasn't working for me but it was only at the point I handed my notice in that suddenly hybrid working in a single function was offered. It was such an awful toxic environment, though, that I was glad to leave.

Original poster
workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 17:21

I said I'd let them both know by the end of this week.

If I had no morals I could accept one of these jobs and just withdraw if/when my current work come up with a new contract because it's not like I actually have to give notice where I am currently.

But I'm not like that, I believe in behaving decently and not leaving others stranded.

OP posts:
Original poster
workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 17:22

Tabitha005 · 14/06/2023 17:16

I agree, look and plan - it's always good to have a back-up. HR and your line manager are being very remiss in leaving it so late to organise things.

Same as you @fivetriangulartrees I left a job in April for the same reason; a mixed role split across two functions with no hybrid working that just wasn't working out. I made it very clear that it wasn't working for me but it was only at the point I handed my notice in that suddenly hybrid working in a single function was offered. It was such an awful toxic environment, though, that I was glad to leave.

Show quote history

They are being remiss but they seem to have sorted out all the other 100 plus members of staff which is why I don't feel valued.

OP posts:
YADNBU · 14/06/2023 18:25

I think

Original poster
workdilemmatime · 14/06/2023 20:39

Thanks for all thoughts and opinions, definitely given me some food for thought.

OP posts:
MuggleMe · 14/06/2023 22:47

Chances are they've been working through the staff by team, starting with the larger ones. I guess in their mind they know they want to keep you it's just a matter of sorting the paperwork and they don't see the anxiety this is causing you. I wouldn't jump ship based on feeling overlooked. HR are usually very busy and it's not personal.

Original poster
workdilemmatime · 15/06/2023 18:37

So had a meeting today with what is now the new version of our team from August.

I am currently part time - when we were discussing contracts I had expressed a desire and availability to go full time (I do freelance work on the other days which I could easily drop).

So work schedule from August was shown - a whole business area that was mine has now been given over to another colleague who started after me - she was also part time but is now apparently full time.

During the meeting my new line manager referred to the fact that I'm part time "because of your other commitments."

I have made it quite clear that I would prefer to drop those commitments and work for them full time on more than once occasion - but now this is being framed as them being flexible for me benefit.

I am really unhappy and my instinct is to speak to line manager and be direct about this - why, when I have asked for full time work has this request been declined but someone else has been given something I had responsibility for to make up their hours to full time?

I'm really battling with not wanting to be difficult but I feel just awful about the whole thing. They told me there would hopefully be an opportunity to expand my role but they've taken part of it away to expand someone elses.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 15/06/2023 18:41

Time to leave unfortunately

Original poster
workdilemmatime · 15/06/2023 19:41

Theunamedcat · 15/06/2023 18:41

Time to leave unfortunately

I guess so :(

OP posts:
InSpainTheRain · 15/06/2023 20:24

Why wouldn't you keep working under your current FTC but also look for a new role starting in 6 weeks. That way you may get an offer from elsewhere as well as the new offer. Then you could compare and take what suits. If they don't come up with an offer then you have a head start in the job market.

Original poster
workdilemmatime · 15/06/2023 20:25

InSpainTheRain · 15/06/2023 20:24

Why wouldn't you keep working under your current FTC but also look for a new role starting in 6 weeks. That way you may get an offer from elsewhere as well as the new offer. Then you could compare and take what suits. If they don't come up with an offer then you have a head start in the job market.

That's exactly what I am doing so I don't understand the 'why wouldn't you' part of your question?

OP posts:
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