Does anyone else feel undermined and dreading going back to work?

[LadyConfused2024]

Hi all,

I have been a long-time (many years...) lurker on MN and created an account today to post. I can see you often give really good advice to people and I am so confused. I will try and keep this as short as possible.

I don't want to post too much about my personal circumstances as it's quite outing. For the past 24 years I have worked in a specialized role, which is protected by the law. It's enshrined in an act, and I have to be regulated and accredited to perform this job. I have worked in a variety of different settings, and I have been quite prominent in the field. About 2 years ago , I really felt burnt out and I decided to step away but remain registered, I continued doing some of this work in a private capacity but at the same time (a few months after I left) I found a job working p/t. The job I have is do directly with the position I am accredited for and only people with my qualification and registration can do this role. Since I started working p/t, I discovered my manager is not registered, nor do they have any qualifications; there seems to be some loophole whereby she has worked in the organisation for nearly 30 years and worked her way up to be the lead for the group. Each site has someone like me. There are 4 sites.

Now, I was going to leave as I found her to be patronising and ill-qualified to manage me or the others. Some of her practice is dangerous, and she doesn't really understand what she is doing. So I gave in my notice. In order for me to not leave, they offered me a F/T position and a very incredible perk that I found very hard to refuse. This perk is directly linked to my family and has changed our circumstances for the better. However, I am very unhappy in the job.

I have since discovered that my job alikes on the other sites have way more responsibilities than I do. The reason being is the manager is paid for 3 days a week to be the group lead and 2 days a week to do my job (which she cannot legally do as she is not qualified or accredited). That's why I had the 3-day role before. Basically, they have kept me on the cover her and I didn't know. She has a risk assessment completed by senior management that states I cover the role and due to me having the qualification it is acceptable for her to cover the position with my oversight. This is not how it works at all. She constantly undermines me. Sends me quotes of policy if she doesn't like my decisions and asks me to change stuff. I also discovered that she does not do this to the other job alikes. They are autonomous in their roles and lead fully in their roles on their site. I am paid for a full-time position, but I am not actually taking on the full-time role. There is loads she will not allow me to do.

I am now getting really pissed off. I am not a shrinking violet, and I have on many occasions bought this up and asked to have a meeting about this. she always adds a time to the diary, and it never comes to fruition. What would you do?

I hope this all makes sense??

Look for another job. Life is too short for all that. Also, the risk-assessment sounds like a complete nonsense which suggests that senior management are not on the ball and that if you raised the issue (or there was ever a problem) you would be the scapegoat.

Look for a new job.

Also consider whether your employer needs to be reported to the regulatory organisation.

Find another job.

Thanks for all of your comments. I would love to leave. As I do not enjoy the role at all. But the 'perk' I have is so impactful on my children's lives that leaving means the perk would end. I think I am going to have to arrange a meeting with her in the new year and ensure that I have the same level of responsibility as my job likes and be more forceful in my demands.

I will also speak to the regulator and get it in writing whether the risk assessment they completed is viable and legal. As I cannot see how this is possible. If this is the case, then I will tackle this.

Ultimately, I do not want to leave as there is a possibility that redundancies may be around the corner, and I would likely be one of the first to go. Even though my profession has a woeful lack of registered people and they are leaving. The perk would continue for an additional 2 years for my children if this is the case, but if I left it would not. So I feel obligated to stay.

It was good to realise others have the same view as me. I feel like I am being gas lit.

XX

It nearly sounds like you're putting your own registration at risk here, and that you have a professional responsibility to speak up / whistle blow.

Do you care about your own registration? No judgement whether you do or don't. It sounds like the perk for your children is your priority at the moment. If they don't keep you, or make you redundant but instead make you the scapegoat and you get sacked will that end the perk with immediate effect?

I'm a Director of Compliance & Regulation. You need to formally address this as your own registration could be at risk. You can't be an active bystander. They are conducting business in your name. You need to think about if this all went wrong tomorrow and you were called as a witness to court or a professional hearing how your explanations would come across. You need to seek advice from your regulator, HR, union and even seek emotional support from a peer. Refer to speak up/whistleblowing procedures.

If you would behave differently without the perk/benefit to your children, then your actions are compromised. Don't let the perk bring your integrity, reputation, livelihood come into question. If you were to lose your registration and/or job you would lose all benefits instantly which will do your children no favours.

I get the impression you're in health care or social care and possibly a Nurse dealing with CQC. If so what is going on is more than your job is worth and you need to plan how this matter comes to a close. If not it will come to a head at some point and be totally out of your control.

The fact that you have posted on a forum tells me that you are uncomfortable with what is going on, you know you need to do something and you are looking for the support, encouragement or the push to do so. Be brave OP, get support around you and address it. Good luck, these things are never easy. And this is the reason I don't agree with "perks" they cloud situations. Keep us posted...

Thanks for this. My registration worries me. In am well known in my geographical area. I will speak to the regulator today. In theory, this can happen (an unqualified person managing a qualified person), but usually, this is because the more qualified person is superior to the unqualified person, and they oversee their work. Its called Long-arm supervision. But this is not present here.

We will see, thanks for all your advice.

To update for anyone who is still interested...I spoke to my regulator. They stated that a person who is not qualified and registered can supervise qualified staff as long as they are supervised by a qualified member of senior staff. So, like a Family Support Worker/ HC Assistant managed by an accredited social worker /Registered nurse, for example. There needs to be clear guidance and direction in their JD. I don't know whether the manager's supervisor is a qualified and accredited professional member. I am back to work on Monday and I will decipher what is going on and ask for further clarification.

Thanks!