AIBU to think work are strongly encouraging me to take redundancy?

[tattyteddy]

Please be kind as my first post on AIBU

Bit of background...

I had a DS in early 2011 and I have recently returned to work in the last week. Whilst I've been on maternity leave I was informed that the department I work in is being restructured and there will be some compulsory redundancies. The job I do will still exist but there will be fewer posts.

Before my return to work I had a meeting with my boss to discuss what I would be doing on my return. There were a few items discussed but would no way cover a 37 hour week at work.

On my return my manager wasn?t at work and I was given no guidance on tasks to be getting on with. My job is very project based so it?s difficult to just pick up work and get on. Tasks have been discussed again a few days after I?ve returned to work, again, not enough work. I have made suggestions on what I could do; however, I was informed we may as well wait until after the restructure!

It has been really hard leaving my DS and returning to work, however I have feel I have the added stress of having nothing to do! It makes my feel I?m leaving my DS for no reason and it?s making me feel very guilty.

I feel as though work is ?encouraging? me to take my redundancy by making me feel surplus to requirements. In addition I feel I?m going to be at a big disadvantage when I?ll be interviewed for the new posts following restructure ? I?ve been away for almost a year and, because of not being involved in many tasks, I won?t be able to talk about any projects and tasks! Other people applying for the same post will be able to describe in detail how indispensable they are!

What I should I do, I'm so stressed!

TBH I think you are jumping to conclusions to think that they see YOU as surplus to requirements. If they are soon going to reduce the number of staff it actually makes sense not to start a new project for you to work on that may not be feasible to continue in the future. Are there existing projects colleagues are working on where you could give them a hand? I would in your shoes, be looking for things to do that would be genuinely helpful and make you look proactive.

Just to say asw ell, I don't know about your job, but I have known people in similar circumstances who have volunteered to take on work directly related to the restructure. Obviously not HR, but maybe looking at criteria to prioritise projects to continue, how to wind down ones that won't be continued, etc.

Usually in this kind of situation there is a lot of work associated with a restructure and not enough people to do it. If you can volunteer to do something which strictly might not be your job, but is still relevant enough and genuinely helpful, it will help highlight you and your work.

I think you should take your manager's advice and wait till after the restructuring. I think in your position it's very easy to think that everyone is ignoring you - whereas in fact they are just getting on with their normal day jobs and haven't really registered what you are doing at all. If your manager is like mine (I also do project based work) he has his hands full with the current major issue and is hoping that you will just get on with what he's suggested, find yourself new things to do if necessary or maybe get on with some training/help someone else out.

I also suspect that having been out of the workplace for a while you are still adjusting to being back - your colleagues probably feel that you want to ease yourself in gently and are not being too demanding as yet!!

I think see what projects others are doing and ask if you can assist to get yourself back in to the swing of things and up to date with any changes over the last year

Thanks for your replies and sorry in the delay in replying.

I think you're probably right in thinking that there isn't a sinister plot to get me to take redundancy. However, everybody is acutely aware of the up coming restructure and are very keen to keep hold of their tasks/projects!

I have offered to help with a number of tasks and projects to no avail as people are keen to show how they are intergral to the smooth running of their projects.

I just can't see how in an interview process I'm not going to be disadvanted by all this.

I disagree with most of the posts. By doing nothing you are, IMO, right to think you could potentially be in a more vulnerable position at interview if you've not been doing anything.

I would organise a meeting with your manager and reiterate that you are there to work and to please give you some work to do as normal. Make sure the meeting is recorded in some way (a brief, summary email afterwards would be fine).

Are you the only person this is happening to or are your peers sitting about doing nothing too? If it is just you and you still don't get treated as a normal employee after the informal meeting then you could think about raising a grievance that you are being treated less favourably because you have taken maternity leave.

Then, if something goes wrong later you have evidence you tried to raise it.

Thanks Isla, i think you're right I will have a meeting with my boss and discuss work load. The reason I'm partcularly worried is beacause my collegaues have plenty to do.

I'll see how things are after the meeting, but if no futher forward I may speak to the Union.

I'm hoping I no longer have to worry about this by winning the lottery tonight!! xx

You're welcome

Have a chat with the union any way. It's what you pay your subs for and they'll have a better idea of what's usual in your company and possibly what's likely to be happening with the restructure.

Fingers crossed for the lottery