Been put in a rubbish position at work - venting

[Scottland]

Hi, just need to vent a little to get it off my chest - basically I've been put in a rubbish position at work and feeling a but peeved etc. Maybe some folk could offer up some advice?

Currently I work as part of a remote team, working about half my time in home and half in my nearest office ~45 mins (35 miles) away. I walked in to an email on Thursday morning telling me I either have to change office to Liverpool (2hrs commute) 5 days a week, or take a demotion to a field engineer (I have no experience or background here). There is a third option of course of finding a new job, but that's easier said than done!

I don't particularly relish the prospect of 4hours of travel every day, especially considering none of my colleagues will be in the same office, so I'll just be there "for show". On the other hand, I'm no field engineer!

So that leaves me with the third option - the most frustrating bit of this is that they're not willing to give me a time frame on when they'd be expecting to move - other than sometime in the next 12 months. Is it just me or does this bit seem a bit off? If I knew a rough timeframe I could plan better, if it was 6 months away it would give me a little relief that I'd have enough time to find a new job.

Any thoughts/advice?

PS - I know other people fair worse and I should be thankful they're not just giving me the heave ho, doesn't make me feel any better though

 

[Scottland]

What does your contract state in regards to changing location of where you work?

Technically I'd be 'volunteering' to change location, they can move me into a different role (field engineer) within my contracts terms is the role I currently do no longer exists at my current nearest office. My boss (and his boss) don't want me to leave, they want me as they'll have to replace me if I go anyway - but to be fair they're pretty understanding given the situation.

Start looking for a new job as of Monday is my advice.

Have been since this afternoon!

 

[Scottland]

That does suck. If I thought there was a chance of negotiation, I'd speak to them and see what I could work out. So, for instance, agree to Liverpool, but WFH 2 days per week. If not, I'd suck it up and agree. The fact that you might have 12 months helps - at the very least you might be able to delay it.

Then, either way, I'd be straight onto the job hunt to see if I could find something better. And leave with no guilt.

Having it reduced to a couple of days a week would help, but still not a long term solution so I'd still be job hunting. I also need to understand the implications of 'volunteering' to work from Liverpool.

So does that mean that someone will be hired to do your job at your current location, just under a different name or Liverpool? Surely if they're changing your place of work then don't they need to contribute in some way?

The role still exists, but not at my current office so if I were not to go to Liverpool then they would need to advertise to fill the position. I believe there may be some contribution to extra travel costs - but it's the time not the money that's my issue.

Take the demotion and keep job hunting. I assume no pay decrease?

It's not just a demotion though, it's a complete job change, different field even. From a developer/analyst type role to a field engineer knocking on peoples doors. Besides, last time they pulled one over on my like this I rolled over and took it and it took me quite a while to get me confidence back up again before I could even look at my CV.

So basically the role you have is now redundant - i.e. the role that is in the location has been dissolved and the same role is now relocated.

They also risk constructive dismissal if you refuse to go and they don't make you redundant. There's a package they should be paying you in severance if you don't want to move but they're trying not to pay that. The fact you're made to feel like crap with the change is possibly grounds to push you out of the company - hence seek proper legal advice.

I would talk to the citizens advice bureau.

In the mean time - get the CV out, even if you win the place will be out for revenge.

I need to read my contract again and see what exactly it says, from what I've read over the weekend they can't force me to take the field job as it's a significant change to my role. I get the impression they expect an answer what I want to do mid-week, which I don't feel is anywhere near enough time to make a decision - especially given where my head is at at the moment .

 

[Scottland]

There is now a package on the table, but I need to see what's out there. North Wales isn't exactly a hot bed for my type of work.

 

[Scottland]

Started job hunting, CV updated etc so just need to find something now...


As for the situation, a number of people have been affected across the country (several hundred) and there's a barrage of questions we're waiting on answer to - the union have gone ape and put back the same argument that I did initially (as far as I can tell the union weren't consulted before doing this).

If I 'volunteer' to move, I can buy myself about 2 months or so as the move won't be immediate, so hopefully I can find something before then. Not willing to take redundancy with no job to go to at the moment, got my wedding coming up so don't want the worry of not having a job...

 

[Scottland]

Yes, it's quite a large lump sum - but I don't particularly want to be forking out for and arranging a wedding whilst unemployed and looking for work.

In an ideal world I'd take the money and go retrain for something else out of the sector, but c'est la vie.