Colleague wants her job back

[PrincessHoneysuckle]

I started with a new employer two years ago and got promoted to my dream position a year ago.
I get on brilliantly with my team and im loving it.
The only fly in the ointment is that the person who used to do my job is on the team in a role with more responsibility and she hates it,finds it hard and stressful and wishes she'd never applied.
She actually told me yesterday that she wants her old job back and could we swap if allowed?
This is putting me in an awkward position as im sympathetic towards the fact that shes regretting her decision but at the same time this is MY job we're talking about.
AIBU to think for the love of God tell other people this if you need to vent not me.

There is no drama whatsoever.i just wanted other peoples opinions.

Im coping great and my manager has said ive had an amazing first year but I might mention it to HR anyway just in case.

This is a debate for a different thread really but salaries are a low lower in real terms than they were in 2008. So employers can afford it, they just choose not to.

Sucks to be her, I guess. It’s not your problem.

haha its never worked like that anywhere Ive ever worked that people can just 'swap' jobs. management have the say who is in which role.

She is incredibly cheeky to try to put you in this position.

She made her choice and if she is not happy she needs to find herself a new job somewhere else.

Tell her no and get on with your job.

I think it's quite ridiculous that you feel the need to ask opinions on this here instead of just telling her to get lost!!

Barking

Why are you even giving this any thought? Don’t feel guilty or whatever. You love your job. Unless you have ambitions to be the head of school (knowing nothing about progression in schools, but going from head of year to head of school seems a more natural progression than head of pastoral care to head), then you’ve presumably said to her that you aren’t interested. Carry on! And I’m really happy to hear you love your job as so many in education seem to hate theirs)!

Sorry this is a reply to @igelkott2026

I'll be brief because this is a thread drift.

You are actually making the same point as me!

Since 2008 the NMW has gone up by about 38pc in real (after taking into account inflation) terms. So big increase.

But overall average incomes have stagnated in real terms and (again after inflation) show only a tiny increase compared to the 2008 level.

The conclusion from this is that the NMW is much higher now but the gap between the NMW and amounts paid to people on wages above the NMW has reduced.

Do one way or another people on wages higher than the NMW have indirectly borne much of the cost of the higher NMW.

Every action has a consequence!

Yeah because this would work wonders for good relations among colleagues. 🙄

Keep it professional, op. Say no and keep polite and firm.

Don’t gossip about it.

Not your problem. Just say you don’t have the skills to do her job . Have a word with your line manager too and nip this in the bud .

Not from you but some the replies/advice on here is definitely making it a drama. Replies that are more than you are happy where you are, writing to management are all making a drama.

Why should OP put herself down? If she's doing great in her current role why can't she just say she's happy where she is?

People can have regrets, perfectly normal.

Just respond by saying how you love your job.

This is a perfect occasion for "that doesn't work for me" said with a smile

Oh yes, I took a wonderful promotion and hated it. I wouldn't have asked to go back but I did look for a way out. I think it is a chance you take when changing jobs.

It's a good thing that she told you. I would appreciate the honesty. It's better than plotting behind your back.

The answer is still no, of course.

Now I've read some encouraging replies and now don't feel guilty i can report that I did actually say "fuck that!" When she asked me to swap.
I think she was just hoping that id want her job and put it out there.

And a big hell no to that .

nobody said the NMW shouldn't be increased? The issue is what happens when the NMW is increased but the roles above them aren't, which is what should happen in an ideal world. The poster you quoted literally said that.

I agree it's an issue. My friend works as a supervisor in a shop, while NMW has gone up every year for the staff under him, his wage hasn't increased, to the extent he's now getting paid 6p an hour more, which for the extra responsibility is pointless.

If you worked in a shop full time for minimum wage you'd earn about £26500. Starting salary for an ambulance paramedic is only two grand more. Yes it would go up slightly every year but still, there's a huge difference between a job that is literally 'life or death,'.

Most people don't take on extra roles and responsibility for fun - the extra money is the main selling point. At some point if there is no extra money (or a minuscule amount) people are going to say fuck it, why bother.

She left the original job……which is now your job…..doesn’t like her new job…..and wants the old one back?!
How are people so bloody entitled in life…….straight answer is ‘NO’! Enough said!

I think it's fine to ask once. It would suit some people well, and then you could have a discussion about, is this actually possible, what paperwork would be needed, is any training required, how will it affect pay, etc? before making a final, informed decision.

But as you said no, that's the end of the discussion. She needs to work out how to live with her decision, be it ask for more support, look for other job vacancies or whatever else.

Going on about how she doesn't enjoy it isn't likely to sell it to anyone else, either.

So you’re both teachers. Which means that you have a shed load of protections here. It might be worth talking this through with your union rep to understand whether this has reached the threshold for a grievance. Meanwhile document everything in case it turns into something more.

Totally understand her wanting to ask you, because if that proposal would suit you too, then you'd both win. But as you really like your role and are happy in it, you just need to gently decline, and keep declining any time it comes up without leaving any wiggle room for misinterpretation - especially if she mentions it to management.

"No, sorry, I'm happy with my current role."

Done :).