Anyone forced staying in their current role because of Covid?

Soldato
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Ok, weird topic header but hard to explain in a single sentence.

I've been looking to make a move but with the Pox happening, I'm pretty much forced to stay put as it's too much of a risk at this stage. I'm pretty much working for the Gold Standard company in my industry and while it's fun and all that, I don't have a ton more runway ahead of me in the immediate future. We have a very rigid corporate hierarchy, clear progression paths and it'll take me at least 5 years to work at the level I could be working right now if I made the jump. There's just no way they'll bump me two promotions ahead.

Anyone else in a similar situation? Choosing safety over progression?
 
Man of Honour
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Not quite the same but I was starting to struggle to stay motivated in my current job in the weeks leading up to the lockdown, turning up and not really knowing why I was there, etc. not helped that I used to socialise with a few from work outside of work but now they've all left it isn't quite the same.

The industry I was looking at moving to has completely vaporised with this COVID-19 situation so I'd definitely be out of work if I had jumped and my current role is safe as anything can be in this situation so I'm not hurrying to move but it is feeling increasingly like a dead end.
 
Associate
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In a very similar position to OP in that I am in a role for a company that is relatively safe in a market that has been hard hit. The company is viable due to the position and the way it was created but nothing is guaranteed.

I actually interviewed for a company last week who found me via an agency and public CV profile which offers a potential payrise (20%) plus its a much bigger company in a very safe industry. I just don't know whether to make a jump during COVID. I have years where I am now with some redundancy package available if the worst happens but would be moving into a new position on a probation period during a pandemic.

If it wasn't for the pandemic I would probably jump at it but at the moment I am very very unsure. I haven't done well with lockdown and mental health is in the bin and I probably have a case of depression but not been to a GP to talk to anyone (again due to pandemic).

Just want all this to be over and the world to at least go back to normal even if the economy gets it as at least we will know then rather than this massive unknown status we all have at the moment.
 
Soldato
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I just accepted a new role, perm over contract, but arguably it's for a pharma company so you know, pretty stable... at the same time, it's always a risk. You just have to decide which risks you're willing to take! No harm in interviewing or seeing what's out there?
 
Soldato
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I'm staying at my current role because of covid. I can work from home indefinitely and I know I won't be laid off for at least another 6 months. Even though I'm not happy with the salary and I would have moved if we were in better times.
 
Soldato
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I was getting very annoyed being the main go to technical guy for the main product we sold as it was a pile of rubbish and constantly causing issues. I was thinking of looking for something else when the lockdown came. However since lockdown I have managed to move away from working on that product and have been given the role of becoming fully certified on the replacement product and getting it rolled out to our customers whilst they try and get setup to work from home. This has added a freshness to the job - less stress as less things are going wrong - and new stuff to challenge my brain a bit, so I have a bit of a new lease on the job and am more optimistic for the close future. With what I enjoy doing there isnt much higher I can go in the company (next is proper management levels and I have already covered them during hiring periods), but I have been here 13 years, am the second longest employee and highly rated by my management team so I am treated well and paid quite nicely for my industry.
 
Soldato
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I was on my notice at start of Covid, was going to spend some time off work and then go to uni to do a masters in September.

All on hold now, keeping current role wfh for 3 days a week rather than the 5 days I used to do. Will get another job when Covid is over I think - though part time has its perks and I can still pay my bills and get some PC bits as long as I stay sensible.
 
Associate
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I am in the process of changing jobs.

I am not challenged enough in my current role to the point of being very bored and not learning anything and there is no progression beyond the role I'm in currently at my current place. So I've found a new opportunity which is far more interesting and lots of learning opportunities.

I was apprehensive about changing roles during the pandemic but for those that are still recruiting it's business as usual other other than the enforced working from home for everyone.

Just my notice to work though now. It will feel a bit odd as I will finish at my current company working from home on a Friday and start at my new company on the following Monday also working from home so exact same working environment different company.

It's unlikely I will even see the offices of my new company until the new year.

Not looking forward to remote onboarding.
 
Man of Honour
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I'd be open to a move but it's less appealing than before due to:
a) Risk factor e.g. move and then get made redundant in first 2 years compared to reasonable security in current role and 6 years redundancy payout if it came to that
b) Currently get to WFH every day and longer term outlook looking pretty good also (likely 85% WFH). Difficult to know what other organisations would offer.
 
Soldato
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12 Dec 2006
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5,129
Ok, weird topic header but hard to explain in a single sentence.

I've been looking to make a move but with the Pox happening, I'm pretty much forced to stay put as it's too much of a risk at this stage. I'm pretty much working for the Gold Standard company in my industry and while it's fun and all that, I don't have a ton more runway ahead of me in the immediate future. We have a very rigid corporate hierarchy, clear progression paths and it'll take me at least 5 years to work at the level I could be working right now if I made the jump. There's just no way they'll bump me two promotions ahead.

Anyone else in a similar situation? Choosing safety over progression?

I'm in a similar position. For various needed more security last few years so took the safe job, and have stayed too long in the same place. I've gone stale. While I've been promoted (slowly), the salary is no longer enough. To make it worse, our department, has started using contractors or bringing in new specialized people rather than using internal staff, and we've started outsourcing a lot of new projects. So I can see no opportunities to progress, and we've been told they are hiring more new people. Nothing about opportunities for existing staff.

Its time to move on. But there is a risk it won't work out. Which would be a disaster, as I'm not a spring chicken and while previously I switched jobs, even careers and took the hit of a few lean years still I got back to a similar level, or higher I'm not sure, I'd get those opportunities again.

I do have some things maturing over the next year, that could could fund a career break. But it would be my last chance to do that.
 
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Soldato
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I'm in a similar position. For various needed more security last few years so took the safe job, and have stayed too long in the same place. I've gone stale. While I've been promoted (slowly), the salary is no longer enough. To make it worse, our department, has started using contractors or bringing in new specialized people rather than using internal staff, and we've started outsourcing a lot of new projects. So I can see no opportunities to progress, and we've been told they are hiring more new people. Nothing about opportunities for existing staff.

Its time to move on. But there is a risk it won't work out. Which would be a disaster, as I'm not a spring chicken and while previously I switched jobs, even careers and took the hit of a few lean years still I got back to a similar level, or higher I'm not sure, I'd get those opportunities again.

I do have some things maturing over the next year, that could could fund a career break. But it would be my last chance to do that.

Definitely time to move on career-wise, but not time to move on economy-wise. Maybe wait a few more months to see how things work out, if you have a job right now and you haven't been asked to take a cut this year, I'd be hesitant to move without a much better offer in your hands.
 
Man of Honour
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Yeah, sort of. I recently got out of the military and a company that I've worked alongside/been embedded with helped smooth my exit over by taking me on essentially in to the exact same role. I've had other potentially more interesting/better paying opportunities present themselves however I really don't want to burn my bridges with this organisation as it stands, and I think moving from them this quickly would do that. Part of it is the risk of moving to something new at this time.

Another option is keep the cushy number. But start something on the side, to keep me sane. Hobby business.

Yes, this is the way.
 
Man of Honour
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Falling...
I actually got a new job during the covid - I was getting bored, and I was able to do nothing and still get paid (I exaggerate a little). The level I am at in my career, I like to achieve and get stuff done. I could have got away with 6 months of doing nothing and just being at home with the kids enjoying life and an exorbitant salary - but that's just not me.

I've taken a reasonable pay cut, but I'm on a WfH contract now, so no more leaving the house at 5am every day and getting home at 7pm if not later. So work / life balance is much better - I get to have lunch with the family (if the kids aren't at school / childminder etc...). I've also dropped from the highest tax bracket back to a reasonable tax bracket - and actually I really don't mind. I can still afford to overpay the mortgage, and look after my family.

Covid helped me realise there's more to life than a high flying career earning big bucks. It made me realise I have a lot to give and actually deliver work that adds value - and that's what motivates me. I hope to do this role for a few years, add to my portfolio of work that I can tangibly deliver, and then do more non-exec stuff in the future as well as have more options. The company I work for has been able to keep working throughout covid with no furlough needed - and a few months in, it's been a refreshing way of working. I don't think I'm suited for the board room of large corporates, too much BS and egos.
 
Man of Honour
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Falling...
That's a wholesome message. Goals are strange, fluid things. It's good to hear from you FF and I'm sure I speak for many when I say I'm glad to hear you and yours are keeping well.

Thanks mate - I've got a bit more flexibility now with life / work, so thought I'd dip my toe in this old community and see how things are going. Good to hear from you too - and seems good times for you ahead as well.
 
Soldato
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France, Alsace
I actually got a new job during the covid - I was getting bored, and I was able to do nothing and still get paid (I exaggerate a little). The level I am at in my career, I like to achieve and get stuff done. I could have got away with 6 months of doing nothing and just being at home with the kids enjoying life and an exorbitant salary - but that's just not me.
That's exactly how I was to be fair. Started the new job August 1st and it's been killer for workload but it's something I really enjoy and I'm getting so much more from it. I was getting paid more in my last role, and did very little compared to now, but just got so bored.
 
Soldato
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I noticed there is still a lot of work out there and still had a lot of contact over LinkedIn during lockdown. I wanted to make a career move but to be honest I'd be insane to do so at the moment. I'm waiting to see how the land lies and if I manage to get redundancy then that'd be a massive help. :)
 
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