NHS senior manager - nothing to do

[TakeANote]

I’m a band 7 working in legal/records for the NHS. Following a merger/contract takeover six months ago, I’ve moved from a private provider to a NHS trust. There were basically two of us doing the same role but because I have fewer qualifications (no Masters) and the other guy was a band 8, I couldn’t meet the essentials of the new shared JD so couldn’t apply.

Now in theory I work for the man who has “my” role but he hasn’t given me anything to do since we joined teams. I work from home four days a week but I’ve not had any work to do since July. I keep asking him for a new JD but he keeps saying he is too busy to sort it.

HR have said they aren’t looking into it, but weeks are going by and I’m being driven crazy tbh. I think they want me to resign so I don’t have to be made redundant because they keep saying this takeover means no redundancies.

What can I do? I don’t belong to the union. Should I get legal advice?

You could be working towards your masters in the time you have available. There may be some funding available for you to do so.

Not your fault but this is a disgusting waste of money and resources. Bloody shocking.

I can’t really afford to do a Masters - it’s wouldn’t mean I could keep my old job anyway, as my boss is basically already doing it and there is really only one such person per area (in this case per county). The role won’t be available again unless he goes (or I run him over?) and meanwhile my skills are stagnating. I’ve accepted that my career is done TBH.

Acas is a good idea - thank you.

I don’t think there are many other people in this position. It’s really an unfortunate outcome of a takeover + crap management.

How old are you?

Nearly 50

It's not to late to join a union. Call them up and join on Monday. Lots of people don't join until they have an issue.

Second, ignore everyone who says this must be nice or that you should resign. I can imagine how stressful this must be.

They cannot give you know work and effectively force you to resign, that's constructive unfair dismissal.

Meet with your union and then with your union, HR and line manager. Explain the situation and its impact on you.

The key points you should be making are (a) how is it fair and appropriate to add additional skills/ qualifications to a job you were already doing (presumably well), that in and of itself is unfair ; (b). How can you be in a role with no job description, no work and, I assume, no 121 management or support.

Raise a formal grievance and get answers. As a minimum you are due a full and fair explanation and a redundancy process and pay.

Could you start going into the office? It will be much more awkward for him to ignore you if you’re right there.

I don’t have a desk in the office. There’s a hot desk but they are usually booked out. It feels so awkward and sad to go in tbh.

Thanks for advice about union.

i feel for you as it must be awful and affect your self esteem.

Are you clinically qualified? E.g nurse/OT or are your qualifications non-clinical like am English/history degree and youve just been able to work your way up?

My qualifications and non-clinical and my background is in supported housing. My qualifications relate to the role but it’s very specialist.

Can you find out if any other NHS Trusts have vacancies at your grade?

Your Level 8 manager is clearly taking an "Im alright Jack" approach. He, possibly justifiably, doesn't see it as his responsibility to sort out your employment situation or allocate work to you, so he's just cutting you adrift and getting on with his own stuff.

This situation is for HR to resolve. It doesn't necessarily have to be a grievance, it could be just an escalation that you need them to resolve this matter.

Summarise the entire situation (including all dates) in a letter/email stating it doesn't at this stage constitute a grievance, but if you don't see progress in the next 14 days towards acknowledging this employment situation, and moving towards resolution then you will have no alternative but to formalise it through their grievance process. Mention you are currently taking advice through ACAS, that should focus their attention.

Thank you DaisyChain. Because of my location I am over an hour’s commute to another other trusts - there was one recently but it was a two hour commute. I can’t move due to having two dc at school and they need quite a bit of support.

I will speak to Acas and see what they advise. I did put it all in writing to HR last week so fingers crossed that something with move soon.

Is he a micro manager that won't let up any of his role?

Yes - I think he would view it as a failure if he dared delegate anything.

Sorry for you OP but no wonder the NHS is struggling, and I'm sure this is repeated across the country.

Oh he’s one of those, is he?

“This is MY job, MINE!!! Nobody else is getting near me and MY JOB. I am a plodder and paranoid with it.”

Are you in the top increment at band 7? If not, and you took a band 6 role, you would move onto the overlapping increment, so may not lose much (or any) money.

Have you always worked from home?

FWIW you don't really need a masters for an 8A or 8B role - equivalent work experience is more than sufficient. I've recruited lots of 8As without a masters qualification.

Sorry in reflection that's probably not useful information for you currently. Might help someone on the thread though 🤷🏼‍♀️

Use your time to brush up your CV, LinkedIn account and start looking for jobs and if necessary some coaching on interview skills to build your confidence as these can be online. Check out your redundancy issues and vr versus cr and any impact on mortgage and affect on your pension.

I would suggest they are trying to get your post cut out in a round about way.

Go to HR and ask if there are any projects you can be involved in and you like to have work etc.

Do not do anything rash as believe me it is better not to be out on your ear looking for work, the salary does pay afterall. It could work out well for you in that you could get a redundancy and a new job.

You have to look out for yourself because believe me in these public sector organisations, they are all like rats clinging to the ship.