How weird is that?
What is super weird is that while this is a new experience for me,
I know of three people in a reasonably close vicinity of me
who are on their fourth redundancy.
And they are so resilient!
Restructuring was and is welcome news.
There have been some serious personality issues within my organisation.
Though restructuring is hardly going to fix those as
some of the dysfunctional personalities
are 'safe' as in unaffected and
their job hasn't changed but neither will their actions or words.
What was needed before restructuring was culture change
but I suspect that is too nebulous.
Though I am sure they will attempt it.
I mean isn't that part of the formula?
The news of restructuring came four weeks ago.
We were divided into affected and unaffected groups.
The latter being the smallest.
I was in the affected group as were all but three of my office workmates.
We were told our jobs were disestablished but some of us,
including me were ring fenced for similar jobs we are currently in.
That just means we get first option on a job except that
there are more than one of us in the ring.
And so the strangeness began.
We have the most affected office,
oh wait then not as affected.
Once the restructuring was presented,
there was the staff feedback period of two whole weeks.
Two extra long weeks!
Then what do you know,
the powers that be realised that they actually needed some of us
through until the end of 2016.
The work has been planned and contracted out
so you can't just get rid of the managers of the contracts.
Now we see resentment growing.
Why should we get a shock and then comply?
What happened to all the words about flexibility and transparency?
Or for that matter choices and control for the peoples?
What about getting cake and eating it too?
By this stage we had two confirmed bails,
and two going to happen but not showing our cards just yet.
Then a surprise outside chance of a shock departure from one we thought would not.
But all along we have been tole we have choices and
there is great desire to give us as much control as possible.
Turns out that we have choices but not so much control.
Here are the options,
these are the choices staff have....
1. Take redundancy early (not as easy to get as it sounds)
2. Wait and not apply for a job and take redundancy, leave 1 Feb
3. Wait, apply for a job, get it, take redundancy anyway, leave 1 Feb
4. Wait, apply for a job, get it and stay
I exercised my choice and have taken early redundancy and here's why.
I do not believe that the culture of the organisation will change
enough for it to be a healthy place to work.
I had a job interview Friday week ago.
You know at the end of the end of the interview where you get to ask questions?
I've never been one to ask anything much past what's the start date and salary.
This time I asked "What do you enjoy about working for XYZ?"
In this case,
surprise was expressed at the question and the answers were really positive.
I was heartened that there were still people who loved their workplace.
I didn't get the job but
I learned that in my two and half years with my organisation
my confidence has been eroded,
my outlook on life has been degraded,
my positive attitude has been holding by it's only nails.
This is not me.
I don't want to be in a place that destroys you
and that's what my soon to be former workplace has done to me.
A bit like a violent relationship.
Since my redundancy as been approved for an end date of Dec 24th
my stress rash has cleared up.
Bingo!
Roll on my month of summer!
P.S. If anyone knows of a job, please comment below :-)
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