Redundancy - advice / support desperately needed

[4ammum]

Hi everyone, I would very much welcome advice/support / another perspective as I have been endlessly worrying and going round in circles!! I moved out of Manchester 5 months ago and then the job I did was made redundant. I applied for another job (promotion) with same firm and didnt get it however was offered another position (lower position) however I will be on the same salary as I was originally as my salary's is protected for 2 years. I have started my new job and found it difficult as I feel demoted/loser and the people I had been senior to are now my peers and doing the same role. I'm on a months trial so can take my redundancy still up till mid feb.

If it was just me I'd have stayed in Manchester and taken my redundancy money (year's salary, plus I'd get my mortgage paid for 6 months and JSA for 6months). Ideally I'd like to take my redundancy and have a bit of time focussing on being a mum (my son starts school in sept) I have my son to think about though and have sole responsibility so am very much feeling the financial pressure. The terms and conditions for the new job I'm doing are great (part time, term time and working from home) I will need to sell my house in Manchester in June 2012 so need to have another job by then so I can get a mortgage however jobs are very few and far between where I have moved to. The sensible/responsible option is to carry on and stick it out. I feel miserable though at this prospect and if anyone could help chage the way I feel ie not be so angry, embarrassed at not getting the promotion and less sorry for myself and more confident about whatever decision I make that'd be really appreciated.

Sorry for long post - I know time is a precious commodity when a LP so many thanks for taking the time to read this

BTW - I need to get my son out of pjama pants (well we both know they are nappies really!) at night. He doesnt want to wear them. When he has them on he's never dry and just wees in them. Is the best thing to just give it a try without wearing them? I'm not really looking forward to all that getting up in the night again but hey am up anyway worrying so guess now's as good a time as any!!!!! Thankyou

It is a tough position to be in. What industry do you work in? If the work is few and far between in that industry I would be tempted to either stay where I am or take redundancy and use the time to retrain, even if you do home courses through open university or something.

My only concern would be the work side of things when you come to apply for a new mortgage.

The terms and conditions for the new job I'm doing are great (part time, term time and working from home)

OP I think you may have to focus on this aspects till you sell the house and pull through
I understand how it may feel to be on a lower position but if this job allow you to carry on with the rest of your life than stuff it

You had quite a few changes and you may not need to make life more complicated than need to be. It is difficult if you are an ambition person and actually enjoy your work

I had to do the same and I has been (quite depressing tbh) but I try to focus on the long term objectives and my ds

TBH I would grit your teeth and stick it out. Even if you get a good pay-off you don't know what the economic situation will be like in a years time, I suspect it won't be any better.

I do sympathise as I have to work with 2 pre-schoolers (DS is 4 and DD is 2). I hate working, my job is crap and I don't have any friends as I can't get to toddler groups or meet up with my SAHM friends. But it means there won't be a gap on my CV and keeps my pension paid. The only saving grace is that they have a wonderful nursery where they have more fun than if they were mooching about at home.

Agree with justforthisone. You need to think of the long term. Keeping working and being financially independent is worth it's weight in gold in this day and age.

I'm afraid I agree with the others. It makes more sense to stick it out where you are especially if you'll be needing a new mortgage soon.

Like Meglet, I have a 'crap' job, which isn't well paid and gives me no fulfilment. My post will be made redundant in late summer but as I have 11 years service and it's a big organisation I will probably be redeployed. The thought of this fills me horror as I feel I'll have little or no choice but to accept whatever they offer, possibly on a lower grade and doing hours that aren't ideal for me.

I constantly keep my eye out for alternatives (nothig so far!) and think it sucks to feel so trapped, but unfortunately I think these days it makes no sense at all to make yourself jobless in the circumstances you describe.

My only advice is not to let work be the be-all-and-end-all. I have found lots of fulfilling things to do outside of work (open university course, various 'creative' things) and try to think of my job as a means of paying the bills. It helps to have low expectations for the time being while keeping an eye out for other opportunities of course!

Maybe when your son is at school and you have your new home you can find something you enjoy more, but in the meantime I'd be very inclined to stay put.

(I can't believe I'm saying this really - it's a sign of the hard times we're living in, I'm afraid.)

Just out of interest, is getting your mortgage paid for six months some kind of benefit that the government gives, or part of a redundancy package? It sounds quite generous!