shaky voluntary sector job vs public sector miles away

Hannaho

Hi!! I moved to Sligo for 3 year contract with quite a well-known voluntary organisation. However, four months into my contract, they are having problems paying my mileage, paying for insurance for me, paying for a computer to do my work, and paying for a work mobile to contact clients. They have have said that they are afraid they will have to let some people go next year - though I will have two years further to go. Howver, I am worried that my three year contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.

I've been offered a full-time job, permanent pensionable, 80 miles away in the HSE returning to my old career of nursing. I am a single parent with 2 primary school kids, and I don't know how I would return to nursing and manage shifts, nights, weekends etc., with no support from ex. I also have a health problem and shift work, particularly nights affects it quite badly. However, it is a permanent, pensionable job and they are few and far between. The other downside though is that I would be commuting about three hours a day - because it is shift work, there would be 14 days a month when I would have to commute 3 hrs a day.

Would people think I would be mad to take a job so far away with primary school kids?I really do hate nursing, but the permanent pensionable part is really persuading me. There are other jobs in the voluntary sector coming up in Donnegal and Westmeath which I could apply for, and wouldn't be so far to travel, but in the end they are in the voluntary sector, and I would be afraid that the funding would be pulled again. As a single parent, I am finding it difficult to cope with the continual insecurity of working in the voluntary sector, though I absolutely love the work there.

Would really appreciate some advice, as I have to make my decision within the next few days.

Delancey

Tough call to make - is moving again to be closer to the nursing job an option ? That level of commuting is very tough in your situation but you are right to be concerned about your current job given the reliance so many of these jobs have on HSE funding , many voluntary sector jobs will disappear and you correctly realise in such circumstances your contract is worthless. Clearly sounds like your current employer is struggling already.

Moving may offer the best option if security is of that much importance to you.

Hannaho

Hi Delancey,

Thanks for your reply. It's a really tough call. I couldn't move my children again as they love it here, and we now have no house to go back to in Kildare. Our house here is mortgage free, so renting and paying for childcare out of an HSE nursing salary would make it not worth working at all.

I feel sick at the thought of returning to nursing, but am worried about being able to get another job in the voluntary sector.

Thanks.

Elaine.

Mrs OBumble

Given what you described, I cannot see that a 3 hour daily commute could be manageable at all. Personally, I'd stick with the voluntary role. It might last, or it might not. Worst case, they make you redundant and you have to go into benefit.

Personally I wouldn't get hung up about the permanent aspect: I believe that's something which public sector workers in Ireland will lose, sooner or later.

Hannaho

H!i JustMary,

Thanks for your reply. I think your advice is great, I would be better off staying local in the Voluntary Sector, however, unfortunately, yesterday was pay day, and I didn't get paid! No reason given, and I'm not sure when I am going to get paid.

Mr. Loverman

Hannaho wrote: »

80 miles away

Hannaho wrote: »

I am a single parent with 2 primary school kids, and I don't know how I would return to nursing and manage shifts, nights, weekends etc., with no support from ex.

Hannaho wrote: »

I also have a health problem and shift work, particularly nights affects it quite badly.

Hannaho wrote: »

I would be commuting about three hours a day

Hannaho wrote: »

I really do hate nursing

I really think you should not go back to a job you hate which will affect your health and will mean you have a horrible commute and horrible working hours.

Surely there is an option 3...? For example, stick with the current job while looking for a job elsewhere?

theg81der

Hannaho wrote: »

H!i JustMary,

Thanks for your reply. I think your advice is great, I would be better off staying local in the Voluntary Sector, however, unfortunately, yesterday was pay day, and I didn't get paid! No reason given, and I'm not sure when I am going to get paid.

Right so your having to decide now. I know you`ve given reasons not to move but I think it looks like your only option. Although your kids are happy I`m sure they would prefer a mammy who was sick and exhausted all the time.

I totally understand your issue with being morgage free, we are in the same boat, and given the market and how renters look after your home its off putting but needs must and in your case you`d be moving to a permanent role which it sounds would be managable if you lived next door.

Have you applied for every other nursing job, I`m sure you have? If you got one near you you`d be sorted!

Good luck!

the_syco

Have you looked at the nursing sector in Sligo?

marnieb

I think that although this is a hard one seeing as how nursing is so stable, the hours, nights etc will play havoc on you if you already prone to illness, especially if as you say you hate it too. Long commutes and kids when you have no other help doesn't sound good either, have you thought about just saying to your employer that you have concerns about loosing your job, they may well be able to assure you that your role is ok and in the meantime you can look elsewhere if you wish. Mileage etc is great but so many do not have it and it would not be a reason to leave a job for one that doesnot suit you, go with your gut instinct.

Mrs OBumble

Hannaho wrote: »

H!i JustMary,

Thanks for your reply. I think your advice is great, I would be better off staying local in the Voluntary Sector, however, unfortunately, yesterday was pay day, and I didn't get paid! No reason given, and I'm not sure when I am going to get paid.

So you need to force the issue: they either need to pay you, or give you a letter saying you're being let go so that you can start signing.

Delancey

Just an indication of how difficult things are regarding jobs in the HSE , a number of posters in a forum I moderate had been told they had been sucessful in a competition for jobs doing patient transfers around the country and thus relieving a front line ambulance of the task.

Yesterday they were e-mailed to say the jobs were withdrawn and recruitment would not proceed due to budgetary constraints - some people had prematurely given in their notice !

Hannaho

Hi! Everyone,

Thanks for all the replies. I'm still no nearer to deciding what to do - I suppose the other factor which I didn't mention is that I am at the receiving of some bullying in my voluntary sector job - nitpicking, constant criticism, refusing to allocate me work, complaining to others about my work (though higher ups have no problem with my work), questioning all my decisions all the time, and shouting at me.

I have been able to put up with the bullying so far, though I feel sick going into work most of the time. It started after my first week in the voluntary sector job, so I might have to leave because of the bullying anyway - but I guess there is bullying everywhere!

Will have another think on things.

doolox

Nobody should put up with bullying. Document and record all remarks and criticisms directed at you and get a meeting with your superiors as soon as possible. This will not go away on its own.

Twice in my life I had to report and get action taken against bullying and it was the only thing that sorted out the problem.

Waiting for it to stop will not work.

Hugely important in view of the fact that you haven't been paid properly. The bullier is probably hoping you will leave without pay.