I need some honest outside perspective because I feel like I am going round in circles with this.
I worked for an organisation for 11 years in a fairly senior role. It is a small set up, around 20 staff, and I had a really solid reputation there and performed to a high standard.
During that time, my then husband also got a part time role there, which I actually coached him to get. It is the kind of service that runs 24/7 and he only does one shift a week. Everyone there knew we were married at the time.
I left the organisation to go self employed, but work has recently dried up and I am now in a position where I really need stable income again.
A role has come up at the same organisation and, on paper, it is ideal for me. The hours work perfectly, it is fully remote, and it is essentially a step back into something I know I can do well.
The complication is that my ex still works there. If I applied and got the role, I would likely be supervising staff at his level, including him.
Our breakup was extremely difficult and we are still in the middle of divorce proceedings. There was dishonesty, infidelity, financial damage and involvement from the police. He continues to harass me and has portrayed me as the “bad one,” which is very far from the reality.
We also had joint businesses which he effectively destroyed by taking assets, which is a large part of why I am now having to look for work again.
I am confident I could remain professional at work, but I do not believe he is capable of doing the same. He has very little insight into his behaviour and tends to escalate situations rather than de-escalate them.
I also strongly suspect that he has already shared his version of events with colleagues, which could put me at a disadvantage reputationally before I have even started.
So my dilemma is this:
Do I apply for a role that I am very well suited for, knowing it could create tension and potentially escalate into issues within a small team?
Or do I walk away from what could be a very practical solution for me financially, in order to avoid what could become a stressful or even harmful working environment?
Part of me feels very strongly that I should not allow him to impact my career or limit my options.
Another part of me is aware that this could become a complicated situation very quickly, particularly in a small organisation where everyone knows each other.
I would really appreciate honest views from people who have either been in similar situations or have experience managing small teams.
Would you apply, or would you see this as too much of a risk? Jobs are very hard to come by these days.