Should I stay or should I go????

[stevienicks]

I am working part-time in a job that I have been in all together in the public sector for 18 years. I have a DD and DS one at school the other starts school next Sept. With all the recent cuts etc in public sector jobs they are making it really hard for part-time workers in the sense they are refusing various working patterns that you may want to go on, refusing your applications for different jobs on a part-time basis and generally not being very supportive with parents having childcare issues. I have had enough of it and want to leave altogether although DH is not being very supportive and we have had a lots of arguments because of it. He seems to think we won't manage on one wage, although I wouldn't just do nothing I would do anything that fits around the children. I also work in an office where they constantly tell me part-time workers are a waste of space and that they don't work out in the department I work in. I haven't got the strength to fight back well answer them back any more and dread going into work. I know this is mad but because I feel I can't make a decision I don't want to make the wrong one I have had many many readings to try and help me make a decision. I would be grateful for any advice on anyone who has had similar experiences and what did you do????

"I wouldn't just do nothing I would do anything that fits around the children."

Assuming you can find something. A bird in the pot is worth two in the bush.

Thank you for your reply but never understood what that saying meant????
Sorry to sound dim....

I think what Grevling is trying to say is that now is not a good time to leave a job without a job to go to. If I were you, I'd look around for a new job before you hand your notice in, however frustrating your employers are being currently.

Readings aren't going to help you make a decision. The thing to do would be intensively look to find something else whilst you're still employed. Who are 'they' in the office? If it's colleagues, then tell them to butt out.

Hi OP, you have my sympathy as a public sector worker. I was a full time admin grade for 5 years in central and local government and got fed up of being treated like shit. Local government is def worse for having a really poor attitude towards support staff IMO. Got the same kind of insulting things said to me 'you're only admin', blah blah blah, you get the picture. Admin got given all the crap to do and were generally treated appallingly. However, we were the backbone of the dept. This abuse came from the arrogant 'senior management team' who wouldn't have a hope in hell of getting a job in the private sector (and they know it), lazy bastards. I found a lot of the 'senior managers' in local govt, to be incredibly lazy and not very good at their jobs. I could write a book about what went on in my dept!

I can see your DH's point of view, he is prob scared of you giving up your job coz of the current economic climate, but he needs to understand how miserable you are. He is just looking at the economics and not taking into account your feeling. I do understand his point of view tho. You are both caught up in this.

It sounds to me like you are experiencing bullying, so I would report it to HR and if you have no luck go and get signed off sick, that way you are at home but still getting paid. Plus it will teach those bastards a lesson and they will realise how hard you do work in your absence.

All the best.

Thank you for that Bramshott. Exactly what I have been doing over the last couple of days. I have been that stressed out about it all I have come down with a very horrible fluy type bug so I have been in bed so DH has had to do everything I do on top of working. So have updated my CV and sent it to my DH school and DS nursery as was looking at changing career direction. Had replies back nothing come from it as yet but may do some voluntary work in the school to add to my CV. If I am honest I don't want to work really but in these times I suppose we all need the money if only I could put up with the constant jibes and bitchy comments but alas I can't.

Arr thank you all for your comments. I was thinking of being signed off sick with stress. I have never done that before even when I was being bullyed out of the job before this one, where I kept being told to go on a career break by my boss and my husband should be earning enough to support me. Now you can see why I want to leave.

Oh the woman making the bitchy comments is in HR.

Go above HR woman, report bullying to her boss. It sounds like you will end up leaving anyway as you have had enough, so make a big stink and cause them a load of grief before you do go!!

I hate this sort of thing, it's petty, nasty bullying. I'm rooting for you!

See where you are going but the only trouble is my reference for another job.
Would love it love it love it. Still what goes around comes around....

Companies aren't allowed to give you a bad reference by law.

Thanks the visitor, suppose they can just say I worked from date to date and thats it.

Yes, they can state that you worked there. They're not allowed to slate you. If you do decide to raise a grievance against this woman anyway, I doubt that she'd be the one to do a reference. If you did raise it, it could be that it will resolve the situation and you'll be able to stay happily. They will have a set procedure to follow on this, so check your employee handbook.

Although I don't think you'll want to hear this I think you should stick it out until / unless you find another better job.

Concentrate on being great at your job and challenge the stone age attitudes / comments.

If your DH came home and said he wanted to resign would you want the whole financial responsibility for your family on your head?

Thank you all for your comments and advice. I will keep you posted if you are interested.........