So here I am again, facing redundancy. I narrowly escaped it at the end of last year, but this time there’s no way out. My boss has done everything he possibly can to keep his company afloat but sadly the figures just don’t add up. To say I’m gutted is an understatement. I love this job.
I’ve never worked anywhere like this before. That’s not to say I work in fancy offices with loads of company benefits or anything, but my boss is the best (as was his partner who sadly passed away 2 years ago, she became a good friend to me too) and I can’t imagine ever finding another employer of the same ilk. I’m a person with a life here, not an employee or a number. The first job where I actually feel valued and am rewarded for my hard work too, not necessarily in monetary terms but with an extra day off here or there, a bouquet of flowers, being taken out for lunch, but yes in the good old days a nice bonus before going off on holiday and at Christmas. Also, an employer that would do anything for you and never throw it back in your face.
When I had the first miscarriage I was nervous of telling D but he was great, and told me to have the time I needed. I went back to work a couple of days later anyway, but this last time the Dr actually signed me off for a week. That was no problem to D, if I needed more time than that then I was to take it. He also sent me a bouquet of flowers saying how sorry he was for Mr R and I, sweet. Attending hospital appointments are never an issue either, “you do what you have to do Tee, I don’t need the details, just go”…and I’m never “allowed” to make the time up afterwards! How many employers are like that eh? My last job any appointments had to be made for out of work hours (how many hospitals give appointments before 8.30am or after 5.00pm?!) and if you did need to take time out for an appointment or came in late/left early because of it you made the time up. It’s things like that which are most valuable and that I’m going to miss. Sure a nice fat bonus is great, but to be treated kindly, valued and to love the job you do is surely far more important. This was meant to be the job I came back to after having children, it was meant to be my “forever” job…
3 weeks shy of my 35th birthday and not entirely sure what to do with my life. If things had worked out, I’d have been on maternity leave now so the threat of losing my job possibly wouldn’t have upset me so much. I’d have had about 6 months to look for something else, and would have been looking for a part-time job, or possibly even managed to find some work to do from home. Now, I have only a few weeks to find something before I join the thousands of unemployed people out there, and from my previous job searches when redundancy was threatened last November, I know there’s not too many jobs about.
It’s been one thing after another for the past two and a half years, I’m wondering who I need to have words with to get the universe to give me a break!!
Do I (hopefully) find another Office Manager job, do I go back into HR, or do I go for a complete change?? Anyone who can think of some great job ideas feel free to let me know.
MrsM09 says
Sorry to hear that. An opportunity to achieve number 7 on your bucket list, perhaps? X
Natalie Bea says
Sorry to hear about your redundancy. I got made redundant from my job whilst on mat leave. It was a tough decision, but it has worked out for the best.
I totally get what you mean about employers who treat you kindly and value the fact that you have a life outside of work. I had one such boss and they are certainly few and far between, but when you do find them they just make work so much more pleasurable.
I'm currently looking at different ways I can look after my children and make extra income, it seems a lot of people are these days. It's about time the government started making proper provisions for flexible working I think.
Hope everything works our for you x
Yummy Mummy in Waiting says
That's my plan MrsM09 but I'll still need a job in the meantime x
Yummy Mummy in Waiting says
Thank you for your comment Natalie, and for following. Bosses and companies like this certainly do make work more pleasurable, but sadly they are definitely in the minority… I hope everything works out for you too in your quest to combine looking after your children with making extra income – flexible working provisions would get my vote! x