Fao Boxtops

[bednobs]

hi Boxy. Just thought i'd let you know i was pooled for one of the jobs, which i am obliged to apply for. There are 7 people working at band six in the whole area that's being covered, and there are six jobs available. As there are 3 band seven jobs available, but no band sevens currently working in the area, all of the band sixes have been asked to consider applying for the band seven roles, with the hope that at least one/two will get it, meaning the rest of the band sixes can be slotted. I am considering it as i have been working at band six for 5 years now and feel i could do the job. The downside is that do i really want more responsibility? Since i lost the children, i don't have much of an appetite for career progression, and i don't want to be worrying about work when i could be enjoying phoebe. On the other hand, when else could i apply for a band seven and not have to do a presentation :) The danger is of course that everyone doesn't apply for the sevens, and one six will be displaced. Ho hum, what to do?
Have you heard anything?

[lcg]

that's a tough decision, bednobs and i sympathise. my trust did the same thing about 8 months ago and i took the decision to go down a grade to band 5 to have less responsibility as i just don't feel my employers actually deserve my skills, effort or time. i found a solution in taking a part time band 6 teaching post instead (so i am 50:50 band 5 and six) and i am now concentrating on building my academic career instead which is much more rewarding. i would encourage you to spend more time with your family, less time and effort at work (so don't necessarily strive to go up a band or anything) and see what other jobs are out there for you. there comes a time where you can only do so much when you are not really appreciated (a common feeling among nhs employees now) and have to start thinking more about your own priorities instead. i got fed up of always staying on because someone couldn't be arsed to come to work, or doing the awkward shift patters, or staying up to 2 late to finish work that others hadn't completed etc. etc. in the end, despite near begging by my hospital manager, i told him i didn't want to do that anymore and wouldn't be 'putting out' for all the special little projects either. i now have a life that is more balanced and peaceful.....i hope you sort things out x

[bednobs]

well i spoke to my husband (big mistake!) despite the fact i asked him before i started not to tell me what to do or put pressure on me and he agreed, he is now pressuring me to apply for the promotion. He even woke up this mor ning and made his dream all about it! I KNEW i shouldn't have told him lol

[boxtops]

Hi bednobs - I must admit if I were you, I'd go for the 7. As you say, they don't come up every day, at least not the opportunity to be matched into a better grade. At least you could give it a try - I would....

We've heard nothing at all yet - I've applied for a new role in one of the 12 receiver organisations but whether or not I'll get an interview is debatable - I'd thought they'd want to sort it out in the next few days since the last blurb said that the aim was to have everyone knowing where they are going by 31 Dec - which is when we are otherwise anticipating our redundancy papers. People are already looking elsewhere, most of us can't afford not to work - it's a very wearying process.

[bednobs]

as is the way in the NHS i'm sure they probably already know who will get the band 7, and i'm not sure i'm one of them. I couldn't ask the person who rung me to tell me to apply because she started after i left of mat leave, and doesn't even know me

[bednobs]

ps you probably will know by the 31st - when they get going they do it quick - our jobs came out 1 week ago, applications to be in by Monday, interviews starting Monday PM!

[boxtops]

The one I've applied for was a bit like that - came out late Friday night, applications close last Thursday.... hard lines if you are taking the annual leave we all have to cram in too before the end of the year!