To change jobs

[Freshstarts249]

Name changed as it might be outing.

2 years ago I got a job in the nhs, band 4 in a clinical role. I enjoy it and was really proud of myself. But I’m still always looking for jobs, I just find it really difficult to stay put.

Current job 3 days per week, I can’t increase due to childcare. Manager is good to me, I can occasionally work from home if I have no appointments but it’s frowned upon. It’s 9-5pm office and clinic based and although the nature of the job means I could definitely work probably half the day at home, it’s not allowed unless specific permission is given. But still really great in terms of flexibility if really needed.

Potential new job: Charity sector, roughly same pay, AL very slightly better. A role I would enjoy. 4 days instead of 3 BUT very flexible employer so can definitely work from home. Neither roles are ones where you can work a whole day from home as there will be face to face appointments everyday but being able to come home between or before/after appointments would really help me in terms of childcare. Office is walking distance to home too.

I am extremely apprehensive about leaving the NHS as everyone says the benefits and pension are great, and also good job security but in reality I’m not sure I can see me staying there forever. There’s no progression for me to go above band 4 and although the role could definitely be more flexible- there’s no sign of that happening right now.
The new job would be so convenient right now and I’d also have a bit more money as I’d be able to do 4 days instead of 3 due to the more hybrid nature.

What should I do??

New job sounds good doesn’t it? Doesn’t matter what other people say does it? Go to the new job. If you don’t like it return to the nhs x

If you can’t increase to 4 days childcare but are planning to work 4 days, how is that going to work?

I vote for you to change jobs.

Because new job is more hybrid and also office is a 10 min walk from home as opposed to a 45 min drive

It’s a shame as current role would be perfect if manager allowed me to manage my own diary and work from any location rather than wanting bums on seats. The infrastructure is there to be able to do this. As long as the work is done I don’t see why it’s necessary to sit in tbe office from 2-5pm doing stuff I could do at home, or sometimes arriving at 9am for a 3 hour teams meeting.

New role would let me work as a see fit with the expectation you carry out appointments every day and don’t completely avoid the office.

I’d take the new job. NHS will be there to go back to if you change your mind

I think my guts telling me to go for the new job. I don’t know how easy going back to nhs would be, it’s quite a small close knit team. I wouldn’t be able to go back to a different team as I’m only qualified to work within that one team. I could look at different trusts but then that involves much more travelling.

New job sounds good, just double check how the charity is funded, as sometimes they have to reapply for funding every year so, which can lead to a change of name and job roles/contracts, is it a permanent position?
If you do decide to stick with nhs, depending on your field, in my area they are really pushing apprenticeships to advance above the typical band 4 ceiling. Currently available for nursing and paramedic technicians, soon to be OT and physio techs as well. Worth looking into possibly.

Just rebooting this as I’m still so unsure.

To answer above, definitely no progression in current role as the next band up is nurse, and I have no desire to be a nurse. OT, physio etc are not related to what I do at all so unlikely I’d ever get into anything like that.

NHS offers good benefits, security and policies. But new job is going to work better for me right now in terms of flexibility.

But I’ve probably only got 5 years left of needing that flexibility as kids are getting older, so is it worth just sticking it out for 5 years and staying in the nhs…. But with no real career prospects. Argh!!!

Are you really happy on your current role?

Have you delved into the new role? Spoken to team members etc?

To me the new job sounds better. But there’s obviously something that makes you want to stay where you are…:: but then there was obviously something that made you want to interview for new role?

I don’t know if this helps but…. I worked in nhs- v rigid hours and busy but lovely team, daily case load- very much attitude of you can only do what you can do within the hours but completely inflexible working hours, often people wanting same annual leave and not allowed it due to cover and weekend working.

ive moved to a different public sector organisation. They offered hours and days I wanted. All annual leave approved, allowed to move working days around on a whim no questions asked. Allowed to leave early for appointments etc (with flexi time etc). Allowed to work from home/ office, manage own calendar. I have sometimes done school runs in the working day etc . No one bats an eyelid. But….learning it remotely has been really difficult, it’s a very individualistic work environment. I have never felt less listened to or treated with less empathy or less like a person as working here. My caseload is mine and mine alone and I just get sent new work on a regular with no cares about how I’m managing with it. Because of the remote / hybrid working it’s taken a lot to work out who is decent and because it’s so separate I have often thought in the only one struggling, whereas turns out the truth of it is everyone’s struggling and miserable . This workplace would just have you believe otherwise. Maybe I’ve just fallen into a bad workplace. Maybe some places do it better. I’d ask to chat to a team member or two to ask them about pros and cons of the job etc.

Good luck x

@inabubble3
I am getting bored in my current role but overall I like it. Everyone’s nice, manager is mostly flexible, but like you said no flexibility with working hours. Same issues as you mentioned with annual leave, needs to be booked 3 months in advance and still no guarantee it will be approved.

The thing that drew me to the new role was more autonomy over managing my diary and the hybrid nature of it.

The thing that makes me want to stay is the benefits, security, pension and the fact I’m comfortable I suppose.