Sorry, am still having dilemmas about this job....

[LittleMyDancingForJoy]

So I have accepted the job offer (see here for details.

And now they're saying it's going to take them a couple of WEEKS to get the job offer letter etc out to me, and that the offer letter will explain that the offer is subject to references.

Does that mean they're going to wait a couple of weeks before even contacting my referees?

I asked them for a start date in my confirmation, but they haven't set one and have just talked about the offer letter and referees.

They seem to have gone from wanting someone to start immediately, yesterday, as soon as possible, to stretching things out as long as possible. Are they deliberately trying to reduce the amount of time I work for them before I go on leave?

The only reason I can think of for doing that is that they might be keeping the interim person currently doing the job on to cover my maternity leave, so they want to minimise the amount of time they'll have to pay both salaries, iyswim? Is that a possibility?

flowerybeanbag - you said they couldn't be trying to minimise the maternity pay as I won't be entitled to SMP, so the government rules on how to calculate it won't apply, is that right? Is that right even if they decide to pay me it anyway, as they said they would?

I'm still feeling very confused/anxious about this job, and now it looks like I won't even be starting for about a month.

So, got a call from line manager today - he apologised and said their HR processes are really slow because of their centralised system, but that now the offer letter is done we can talk start dates.

So we've set a date of 5th November, providing HR have done all the paperwork by then.

He also wants to meet up the week before informally to give me 'all the background' which sounds a bit ominous....he said 'there will be some reading to do' and also that he'd like to meet 'on neutral ground' so not at the office. Not quite sure what that all means?

I guess I'll see!

So now have to recruit my replacement at DP's business, buy some clothes (have NO maternity work clothes!), finish tax return, get keys cut for cleaner, confirm with nursery, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

Yay! That's brilliant.

I don't think meeting up beforehand is ominous at all, I think it's an excellent idea. He's been fine and supportive through all this hasn't he?

Probably wants to talk through any potential problems the two of you might have with the Big Boss woman, agree strategy for dealing with them and any other issues there might be, which will be easier for him to do away from the office. Also to give you a chance to talk through the problems you've had getting this sorted so you feel more relaxed and ready-to-go when you arrive for work on day one.

Yes, I wondered if that might be what he was looking to do - there's probably a fair amount of politics, given that it's a govt organisation.....

He sounded pretty positive on the phone and said he was going to go and order me a trolley case for my laptop, as they don't let pregnant people carry laptop bags! All sounds very sensible and friendly.

Fingers crossed it all turns out ok, I think it will make a big difference to my life.

Thank you so much for all your support flowerybeanbag and all the others - I'd still be lurking behind the sofa muttering about conspiracy theories if it wasn't for you!

Yay littlemydancing! delighted that things are working out for you,please keep us posted won't you?

Don't worry, you won't be able to shut me up, whether it's going well or badly!

Of course, after I start there will be radio silence in the daytime while I impress them with my industriousness, diligence and efficiency

thank you x