Should I stay or should I go?

[RMGM]

Hi,

I have been working for RM for nearly two years after losing my job in the pandemic and it has been both good and bad.

Working 6 days a week including nearly every Saturday (unless I ask for a day off), being contracted to 25 hours per week and then working in excess of 50 hours regularly has been tough, having very little say in holidays and flexibility has been frustrating and being f/t and then moved back down to p/t when other posties who have been there longer complained, was not a great feeling. However, I like be out in the community, the freedom, the fresh air etc. but there seems very little opportunity for career progression. Doing so many hours and overtime does have its perks though, with an overall higher salary.

I am now in a position where my old employer has contacted me to try and get me back and I am slightly torn.

My question is a) what are the chances for promotion (and would I want it) and b) if I left and wanted to come back, would I need to go through the full recruitment process - testing/interview again?

Thanks

MG

[tomtallis]

Depends on the seniority list and the turnover of staff at your office as to whether you would be made up to full time anytime soon. It took me a LOT longer than 2 years to be made full time and that's pretty much the full scope of career progression in delivery unless you go over to the dark side.
The dispute between the union and RM shows the direction in which the company wants to go and it looks a s**t prospect for the workforce in my opinion.

[amhopkins1]

I'm in a similar position, been here for 3 years but looking for something else as there's no chance for progression and I don't want to be doing the same thing for the next 30 years!. May I ask what your old job was?

[iHateD2Ds]

I would go knowing what RM want to implement upon us.

[fb1969]

"I am now in a position where my old employer has contacted me to try and get me back and I am slightly torn."

Assuming you were 'happy' there, bite their arm off. Get out of RM while you have the offer.

[Kenfandango]

I'm in the opposite position, was offered my old management job back but I hated it a lot more than RM, and I was expected to stay late/open early for no renumeration. Currently sticking this out, so long as it fits around school times (so possibly not long)

I do miss being able to take time off when I want it (I started the week after the years forms were finished and was allocated all my holiday based on when was best for the depot) and swap days on the fly without jumping through hoops

[Bahia Feliz]

If you stay there could be trouble.....

[clashcityrocker]

If you stay there could be trouble.....

If he goes there could be trouble
If he stays it could be double.

[priority102]

I think you already know the answer without coming on here. Stay as you are with no light at the end of the tunnel or go back to your old employer who would more than likely treat you more like a person than a number. I personally would go with the latter.

You've been given full time work here but due to whinging by "colleagues" (who it probably would not make any difference to whether you are f/t or p/t) you get moved back to part time. It was the same in my office "why have they been asked to work their day off and not me"? "why has he got 30 minutes more IPS then me"? and so on. Nothing like comradeship is there?! That's the future.

[daveyeff]

If you stay there could be trouble.....

If he goes there could be trouble
If he stays it could be double.

that being the case it would be better if he goes, as he will only be in ''half'' as much trouble.

[WASD]

Only you know the answer, and without us knowing your age, health, finances, skills and qualifications, and what your old job actually was, nobody can give a definite answer. But one thing is for sure, career prospects are zero outside of being manager (enemy #1).

I'd ask yourself these questions:
How long will your body hold up at your current rate?
Are you prepared to work shifts and/or Sundays here?
Are you happy with always having time off when it suits the company?
Is your old job secure and going to weather a recession?
Why did your old employer not furlough you?
What prospects has your old job got?

My advice based on your old employer stitching you up and nothing else is that you give RM another year or two of secure work whilst planning to move onto something better in the future if and when the global issues ease off a bit.

There's a reason why RM is losing employees nationally. Holding out any hope for having your own round and consistent working hours is a fools errand imo. I got lucky and have now got a easier rural round, but even so i'll be getting out shortly. I was looking to leave pre CV, but that and other life things got in the way until now. I could never do this for years to come, and i also really like the actual job.

[Jahpostie]

Go...

Best decision you'll ever make.

[nightcrawler]

If you have the chance to get out then I would go. Your mental health will thank you for it later.

[sixfoottwo]

Go not even a debate! I want to go as I can see what's coming been in the job 25yrs so it's sad to see the way it gone.

[onejontwo]

If you're thinking of going anyway why not mention this to your line manager and if he thinks you're a valuable asset, who knows? he might offer you the deal you're looking for.