What would you do?

[chattykathy]

I work for a large Local Authority and the department I work in is going to become a 'traded service' which is a nice way of saying they are getting rid of us. I definitely have work for the next 18 months but after that nobody knows. My dilemna is that there is an opportunity to stay with the LA in another department but lose about £4000 per year, which equates to £200 a month in my pay packet. What would you do?

[craft1948]

If you are confident of getting employment elsewhere on the same or better money stay where you are and look around................if you're not go to the other department and take a cut in pay for the security.

[weecalf]

Move to other department pay rises will come round again and it looks long term why not

[China Doll]

You've got eighteen months, I would start looking now but certainly wouldn't be cutting my pay check by £4000 until I really start to panic about work. I don't think it's panic stations yet.

[chattykathy]

Oh jeez, you are all saying the stuff that's going round my head! I don't think I would get other employment outside the LA (worked for them all my life) I could take the chance and stay where I am and hope for the best but I would kick myself if the work runs out and I've missed the chance to move. Aagghh!

[China Doll]

So apply for the job and see what happens, you may not get it but if you do then you have a choice to make rather than feel like you let it pass you by completely.

[micmak]

18 months is a long time. Harold Wilson said "A week is a long time in politics" Things change. You pay your money and take your choice.

[Maydup]

Depnds how much you like working for LA or whether you'd really like a change. The future's not good with LA's so even the other job might not last for very long. Go for it if you fancy it, if not stay put, see what happens and start making plans to make a move elsewhere if you have to.

[craft1948]

After 18 years with BT I faced being redundant (with a generous pay-off) or applying for other jobs within the company. I decided to stay and having secured a new post had to virtually re-train from scratch. It was the best decision I ever made................

[chattykathy]

I think I would enjoy the 'new' job and I don't really fancy working for a 'social enterprise' or 'co-op' or 'charity' whatever they're calling it this week. We will get TUPE but what's that worth?n However, I don't want to lose £4k either!!

[craft1948]

Basically kathy you have to decide what you are worth in the job market. If you are confident that you can get more than what is on offer where you are elsewhere, then go for it................if you're not then accept the drop.

[weecalf]

gotta ask whats TUPE

[chattykathy]

Transfer of undertakings (Protection of Employment)
http://en.wikipedia.o...ent)_Regulations_2006
As far as I've heard it's not worth the paper....

[oldbillbuck]

No help whatsoever sunnjuy, peddle your wares elsewhere, kathy is looking for serious advice.

18 months is a long time I would be inclined to wait til nearer the time before deciding to jump or not. It paid off for me in a similar situation when my company planned to relocate

[factor-fiction]

It is a dilemma and only you can decide. However I would bear in mind the following points.
- If you enjoy your work it maybe better to stay rather than move to a lower paid job you may not enjoy as much.
- It could be a case of 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' - the new job may be next for review.
- If you stay you may be TUPE'd and therefore continue to do your job with the new employer, or you may get a nice severance package.
-There is no rush to leave- you can wait 12 months and see how you feel then.
- The 'traded service' outcome may never happen