Feeling awful with employment issue after 20 years working.

[Toseland]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice as to what to do about this situation I find myself in.

Before the pandemic I was working in a team and was one of 3 core people, we worked together for 20 years, I was one of 2 staff with 1 manager. I had taken on a lot more work (quotes, billing, additional technical skills compared to the other member of staff).

The pandemic struck and our external client cut our team’s funding completely. The 3 of us were furloughed.

A job came up within another team within the larger company, a rung down but I took it in a bit of a panic as I didn’t want to be made redundant. I’ve now done this job for over 2 years and it’s been fine.

However the team has now bought in new role and team member just above me (what would have been my old role) and my work has lessened in importance as this person now takes on the exciting projects I was on and I am now in just a supporting role.

The manager from my old team was promoted to the Head of the Global office’s team and has since been promoted again to a higher rank. My old colleague was promoted to being the head of another team. I, by taking the position I did, have effectively been demoted but have kept the same salary.

This didn’t bother me at first but now I’ve just had my objectives and job review and they are virtually the same as my very first ever job review and I feel so disheartened, bored and resentful, 20 years of work to go back to the very beginning again, what should/could I do?

What are you options in-house? Are your prospects limited? Are you applying for positions as they come up? From the way you put it, it sounds as if you only realise there were opportunities after they've been filled. Sounds as if you need to be more pro-active.

You've been there a long time and you know people so talk about your desire to develop your skills with key people and make it clear that you're up for a challenge and would like to be considered next time opportunities arise. Do you need to add to your skill set to make the jump? Having been with the same company for 20 years and shown willing to take a step down in order to obtain security, it's possible that you're seen as lacking in ambition or desire for more.

The other option is to look elsewhere and aim higher in your next job, and that may well be the best thing you can do. It's a good time to be looking for work, there are opportunities out there. You may be asked why you've spent so much time in the one company and on the same level. They may wonder whether you're someone just looking to tuck in and coast and they may want someone more pro-active — so have an answer prepared for that scenario.

Sounds like you have 3 options.

1. Accept that you will be doing the mundane asks for the forseeable future.
2. Talk to your manager, explain you have skills/experience above your current role, and ask if they can nvolve you in things that would put them to good use from time to time.
3. Look for a new job.

100% raise it with your Manager for a start. Explain it as you have here. There is nothing to be lost in doing that.

Thank you all for replying. Perhaps I should have held out after furlough for a better opportunity. Yes, I will talk to my manager and have already used my skills in outside the normal projects. My new team is nice to work with. I just feel like I could have done better.

I agree. Explain it exactly as you have done here and ask manager what they suggest?