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Brexit

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Original poster

I voted remain, would taking job Brexit created be hypocritical?

22 replies

scottishdiem · 02/04/2017 00:31

Basically that.

I moved to Dublin earlier this year as Brexit and other issues to do with immigration meant that we were never going to settle in the UK (even if we got the immigration thing sort, Brexit policy positioning like the foreign worker lists in companies made DP fearful) so we left.

Been offered two jobs in Dublin and one of them is a firm that has moved its HQ as it has operations across the EU and needs that access and oversight of its operations. One of the staff members cannot make the move so has lost their job. I am very anti-Brexit and I feel that taking this job offer would be hypocritical to be honest.

I have just started a two week test with the other offer but the UK firm has come back with a stronger offer so now I dont know what I should do really. Benefit from Brexit and its impact on making people unemployed or not? Both jobs are pretty equal when considering pay, opportunities for growth etc.

OP posts:

ColouringMandalas · 02/04/2017 00:36

I think you've answered your own question you feel it would be hypocritical.

However much others may disagree for whatever reason, if you go against your own gut feeling it usually goes badly.

It might also be to do with you thinking this other firm is a bit cut and run maybe?

PerspicaciaTick · 02/04/2017 00:46

So you left the UK because you don't like Brexit and felt that leaving was in your family's best interests, but you are criticising a company for similarly deciding that they need to leave the UK to protect their business interests?

I can see why you feel uncomfortable, but I really believe you are massively over-simplifying the situation. If you work for the local firm, how will you quantify any advantages that Brexit may bring them at the expense of UK competitors? If staff in UK competitors were losing their jobs while your local company thrived at their expense would you feel hypocritical then too?

Original poster

scottishdiem · 02/04/2017 00:46

ColouringMandalas

Oh I looked into why they are here and they really did need to move. Part of me is impressed with solid decision making and a clear approach in the face of uncertainty.

You are correct with me probably answering my own question though.

OP posts:

ExplodedCloud · 02/04/2017 00:47

You aren't capitalising on something you wanted though. You picked EU and this is a consequence, surely?

Original poster

scottishdiem · 02/04/2017 00:50

PerspicaciaTick

Sorry, no. If it came across as me being down on the firm I really didnt meant that. I know exactly why they are here.

The are here because they need to be in the EU. Other parts of their operation remain in the UK and will do so fine. Its all about where the head office function sits. Its not even a tax thing either. The two firms are not in competition either so that isnt a consideration either.

OP posts:

Original poster

scottishdiem · 02/04/2017 00:52

ExplodedCloud

Indeed. I didnt seek this or cause it to happen but the staff moving over are a bit sad about it and obviously the staff member left will be missed (small, tight, friendly team). It feels as if I will be a replacement for someone as opposed to a successor (if you see what I mean).

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Peregrina · 02/04/2017 00:52

You didn't cause them to move, and nor were you the result of the employee losing their job. What if it had been a move which wasn't Brexit related? My firm moved to a different part of the country and a lot of people felt unable to move with it. It didn't stop the locals in the new area applying for work because others had lost their jobs.

Original poster

scottishdiem · 02/04/2017 01:02

Peregrina

I suppose if I had campaigned against your firm moving it would feel different but I get what you mean.

OP posts:

ExplodedCloud · 02/04/2017 01:05

I do see what you mean. But that person had a choice and they made it. If you are respectful of the choice and come in as following that person, would it be different to any relocation, maternity cover etc? We have to recruit cover for a popular staff member who has had to leave for terminal illness (they're on sick pay but the job needs covering) and nobody wants that but the person who takes the contract isn't to blame.

ColouringMandalas · 02/04/2017 01:08

That's ok then, I thought it might be a tax headquartering or similar. But I do get why you might still be uncomfortable...

I once took a job, that unbeknownst to me, was created after a very popular member of staff was made redundant. They worked in a different area of the firm, and were made redundant due to that sector just being in general decline.

So the firm decided to use the "savings" from cutting the department (and selling the premises it had been located in) to fund opening a new department. The perception amongst colleagues was that it was unfairly handled. And they just liked the guy and missed him. It made my life a lot tougher than it should have been. I left as soon as I could as it was such an uphill struggle internally. If I had known the full circumstances I just wouldn't have taken it in the first place.

If you're not comfortable with it, best stick with the other lot if you can.

lalalonglegs · 02/04/2017 14:13

God, take the job. If we in the UK are daft enough to throw our economic future into jeopardy, it would be pretty churlish of us to resent other people benefiting from that choice. Leavers were told that some companies would take their business elsewhere and decided that it was worth the risk of this happening. I don't think you should feel uncomfortable - and certainly not hypocritical - for a moment.

Peregrina · 02/04/2017 14:27

The way I read it, you haven't moved to Dublin to chase this job offer - you are already there and this firm has opened up near you? Normally, we don't know the full reasons why firms relocate, but in this case Brexit is (one of) the reason(s).

Take the job which you think would suit you best, and if you feel happy with the current one you are at stick with that. That can also be a bit hard to do, because sometimes it takes a while to ease yourself into a job in which you subsequently become very happy.

Stripyhoglets · 02/04/2017 17:49

I would take it if it's the best job, you voted to prevent this sort of thing and unfortunately didn't win - but the situation is not of your creation in any way

annandale · 02/04/2017 17:51

Take the job.

AuldHeathen · 02/04/2017 18:25

I can't see the conflict. You and the firm relocated to a place that suited your needs and wishes better following a political change. Neither you or the firm chose this change.

PattyPenguin · 02/04/2017 20:05

You were forced to move by a choice made by others. If that same choice, by those same other people, creates a job that makes your enforced move more positive for you, take it.

By my reckoning, you are owed it.

JellyWitch · 02/04/2017 20:08

Plenty of remain voting civil servants working in the Brexit Department. You go where the work is.

NinonDeLanclos · 02/04/2017 20:16

I think this is very much over-thinking things OP.

I understand your point, but the fact is that it's not as if you can save the job for the person - if don't take it, someone else will.

Which job would you actually prefer to be doing week in week out? That's what you must make the decision on.

Anyway, you can't be sure that person didn't vote Leave themselves, or they may have disliked their job and found one they prefer.

Original poster

scottishdiem · 03/04/2017 15:29

You are all correct. I was indeed overthinking this (massively I suspect).

I have opted to take the non-Brexit affected job based on what NinonDeLanclos suggested. This will be a better fit for me in the longer term I think, along with the community I would be working in being interesting as well. Week in and week out I can see that job being more interesting and less repetitive.

Thanks all.

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Mulledwine1 · 04/04/2017 14:08

Take the job.

Voting to leave won't stop many people in the UK from capitalising on EU links to get EU passports to maintain their rights even though they voted to remove them from others.

Mulledwine1 · 04/04/2017 14:08

Sorry, should have read until the end. If the other job is better - fair enough. But do what's best for you.

RedToothBrush · 05/04/2017 16:06

Think about if you DIDN'T take the job. Would it feel like a missed opportunity? Would you feel like taking the high moral ground was cutting your nose off to spite your face?

Its nice to have principles, but its done now and if you turned down every job created by Brexit, you might find yourself unemployed or facing hardship.

I wish I could argue the case differently, but Project Reality is in full swing.

Ideology got us into this mess. I'm a firm believer in being pragmatic whilst trying to keep as principled as possible but not if its shooting myself in the foot in order to do so.

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