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Original poster

New job but not what i thought

12 replies

Bewilderedmummy · 05/10/2022 14:26

So i went back to work last week after maternity leave. New job in a different company. Its a fixed 12 month contract.
the person who interviewed me didn’t end up being my line manager due to a restructure and now i have a new line manager who didn’t bother to ask me about my home life etc
i have just been assigned to a project which involves alot of travel (within the uk). I knew there would be some travel involved but it was not made clear about the amount of travel (as it depends what project you’re assigned to) in the interview. I had an intro meeting with my senior manager (line managers boss) who after telling him i have two young children quickly acknowledged that this project wouldn’t be right for me and he will look into getting me onto another project. He said ‘leave it with me’. He bought it up, not me. So I thought wow they are so great and flexible
I had a quick chat with my line manager today and he was a bit offwith me… said that yes we want to make it easier for you but at the same time we have a project to deliver (which i get) but then he said ‘ you’re on a fixed term contract aren’t you? Well if a perm job becomes available then we have to review whether it would be right for you’ . i thought this was out of line
i have never said i wont travel. I just cant do massive blocks of travel. I was very transparent in the interview that i had kids and i was on mat leave, but now it feels there is a disparity between my line manager and senior manager and I absolutely hate that the possibility of getting a perm contract is being lauded over me. Its like im being punished for having kids!
i understand i am a resource but this needs to be balanced with home life.
i just started the job last week. Ive not had a chance to prove myself whatsoever and just being spoken to like that (despite my senior boss being supportive) is just upsetting
am i in the wrong??

OP posts:
StillNotWarm · 05/10/2022 14:33

The job isn't right for you, and your home circumstances. Look for another one.

Pickledcurlywurly · 05/10/2022 14:36

If you're only a week in, I would cut my losses. Be blunt with them and tell them this will not work in your personal circumstances. They either move you onto another project or you will more on. You've got nothing to lose.

user1477249785 · 05/10/2022 14:41

I agree that it doesn't feel like a good fit. Can I suggest OP that in future interviews, instead of being very clear that you have small children, you are clear instead about what the implications of that are for you? I traveled a lot when my kids were young. It worked for us. I think companies would be wrong to make assumptions that just because your kids are little, you can't do blocks of travel. It's obviously fine if you can't but you need to be explicit about it to manage expectations and not expect people to know what that means for you.

Original poster
Bewilderedmummy · 05/10/2022 14:42

Pickledcurlywurly · 05/10/2022 14:36

If you're only a week in, I would cut my losses. Be blunt with them and tell them this will not work in your personal circumstances. They either move you onto another project or you will more on. You've got nothing to lose.

Well i was honest with my senior manager. He asked me if it would work for me, and i said no, In my gut, its not right for me. Thats when he said, i’ll see to get you assigned to another project.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bewilderedmummy · 05/10/2022 14:44

You’re right and this was my mistake. They were not clear on how much travel (in the jd or interview) so i guess i just didnt anticipate how much it would be.

OP posts:
Regularsizedrudy · 05/10/2022 14:47

I’m not sure I understand. Isn’t he saying they will look to make you permanent? Would that not be better for you?

LoveBugBride · 05/10/2022 14:51

Had the senior boss been in touch since about changing project?

Will you still have the same line manager?

Quveas · 05/10/2022 14:52

Regularsizedrudy · 05/10/2022 14:47

I’m not sure I understand. Isn’t he saying they will look to make you permanent? Would that not be better for you?

No. They were saying that is the OP can't manage what the job requires, then they wouldn't be considered if a permanent post became available.

Regularsizedrudy · 05/10/2022 15:01

Quveas · 05/10/2022 14:52

No. They were saying that is the OP can't manage what the job requires, then they wouldn't be considered if a permanent post became available.

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Ohhhh! Yeah that’s pretty shitty then

Original poster
Bewilderedmummy · 05/10/2022 15:03

LoveBugBride · 05/10/2022 14:51

Had the senior boss been in touch since about changing project?

Will you still have the same line manager?

Not yet (it was only yesterday i had a chat with him).Im not sure if my line manager will change.

OP posts:
Thenightcircus · 07/10/2022 12:01

I applied for 2 jobs recently OP and they invited back for 2nd and 3rd interviews.

Both times the job role, spec and salary had completely changed. One was for a local college and they reduced the salary by £2,000 per year and added a tonne more responsibility (from 22k to 20k!). I left mid interview 😳 there was no point in even continuing...

I think it's becoming more common to find a willing candidate and slyly change the role. Get out while you can x

Original poster
Bewilderedmummy · 07/10/2022 16:01

Thenightcircus · 07/10/2022 12:01

I applied for 2 jobs recently OP and they invited back for 2nd and 3rd interviews.

Both times the job role, spec and salary had completely changed. One was for a local college and they reduced the salary by £2,000 per year and added a tonne more responsibility (from 22k to 20k!). I left mid interview 😳 there was no point in even continuing...

I think it's becoming more common to find a willing candidate and slyly change the role. Get out while you can x

They are soo cheeky!
something similar happened to me too. The job was advertised for 12 months but after i was offered the job, the contract was only for 8 months. They reverted back to 12 months after i raised it but it took over a week!

OP posts:
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