11.28.06
Out of the blue!
I wrote earlier this month, about discovering that my job would not be at risk during this round of PCT management restructuring and about my reactions to being put in my place as it were. Yesterday that whole episode came full circle, when just before midday I was phoned at my desk to be told that despite the fact that the consultation had closed 3 days before, and despite my job appearing on no previous list is was actually at risk. The reason given for this was that the new position closest the my present one has been assessed as being on the same agenda for change banding as mine (although this new job covers 4 times the geographical area and about 3 times the number of staff as before).
When the news came, I didn’t act with the extrovert stomping of feet and anger that I had on that previous Friday, instead all I can say is that I was extremely shocked, angry and felt complete disbelief. At that moment I doubt I could have felt worse if I had been told someone had died (extreme but such are our emotions). Colleagues were great, sharing my disbelief at how this whole thing has been handled (not much work was getting done at this point), and sympathy that I technically have 4 days to submit my application (I will get more you will be pleased to know).
I am afraid for the NHS, and my own PCT particularly. Things do not bode well. We know money has to be saved, we know redundancy is expensive and is therefore being avoided, but actually undervaluing the jobs of managers (even if apparently all managers are pen-pushing devils, if I am to believe my own local paper this week) and treating them in this way will not lead to the most effective work being carried out.
I don’t know if I will get my own job, I have to apply for it as lets face it, who can afford not to and I am not about cut off my nose to spite my face (as my mum would say). I wasn’t expecting to be having to read up on local and national politics this side of Christmas, but the implication is pretty much demotion if I don’t play the game here. Regular readers will know that I have been re-evaluating my career in the health service, and let me tell you this is doing nothing to stop my urge to leave the NHS soon. 2007 could be an interesting year.
Neil Wilkinson said,
November 28, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Sadly, your news does not surprise me Julie, the NHS has never (IMHO) been particularly good about valuing its staff, but frankly its treatment of its satff is at an all time low.
We are not valued employees, we are stats on a payroll.
I wish you the very best of luck, you don’t even have the time to consider whether you really want this ‘new’ post, especially as it seems to be about more responsibility for the same pay.
Is your professional organisation helpful? I would guess that there may not be a lot they can do in your circumstances, but it could be worth talking to them. You’ll never know if you don’t ring them.
Once again, I’m so sorry to read of your plight. I wish I could help.
Neil
Julie said,
November 29, 2006 at 6:39 am
Thanks Neil. I am a member of the RCN and though I doubt they can really help I am thinking of contacting them. As you say, I don’t know if I want this job, and am not sure it is worth the pay being offered, but have little choice. If I don’t apply for something I will have made myself redundant. I managed to secure the weekend to complete my applications, closing date is actually friday and the interviews are the week of 11th Dec - Lovely pre Christmas present!
Kieran said,
November 29, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Not good news at all, positive vibes from up here. If you need it the blinklist account I do the news stuff on to catch up with the national stuff its at http://www.blinklist.com/western4uk/ . If there is any information you need to help at all just ask.
Julie said,
November 29, 2006 at 8:43 pm
Many thanks, may just take you up on that.
Liza said,
November 30, 2006 at 12:49 am
Julie - sadly it’s worse than that…. if you don’t apply for the job you may run the risk of failing to comply with the redeployment process and thus making yourself ineligible for any redundancy payment that may be due to you in the event that there is no job for you at the end of all this. Sorry to sound so negative but being in HR, I see how this works in practice. Hang in there and keep looking outside the NHS as well (I am!). You have many useful and transferable skills from all you’ve written about yourself here, not least writing! All the very best and keep us posted :o)
Julie said,
November 30, 2006 at 7:00 am
Hi Liza, When I say I could make myself redundant, I don’t mean that any payment would be coming my way. We have known the process all along. Thanks for the encouragement.
MadRad said,
December 5, 2006 at 5:28 pm
Julie you have my deepest sympathy. Its an apalling situation.
We have been told that there are jobs at risk in our Trust but we have also been told there will not be any redundancies before April as they have to go through the change management process including proper notification of at risk status etc.
That’s the bugger of AfC. Its the level of the work you do, not the amount that counts. You can do seven people’s jobs but as long as the responsability level stays the same you don’t get any more for it. I can see it happening in my role.
One of our band sevens is leaving. As a temporary (yeah right) measure his role is being split up between four other people with me, as the only band 7, being given the lead ie the blame if it all goes tits up.
Neil Wilkinson said,
December 7, 2006 at 4:20 pm
MadRad,
Assuming you and the others are pretty much working to your full capacity, it would be worth pointing this out in writing to your managerand that as a consequence of taking on extra work, it is inevitable that you will sometimes have to prioritise and decide what not to do. Then, at the least, you have a record of having pointed out the possible outcome before the event.
If you cope with the (temporary) vacancy without any problems, it will surely become a permanent one.
MadRad said,
December 11, 2006 at 11:34 pm
I’m working on it.
I have insisted I have had cover any time when I have had to go for training or shadow the person who leaves.
We have also been told we will not have to supply of hours cover.
So, unless pays for the company that supplies our RIS and PACS to give out of hours support there will be no out of hours cover.
Can’t view your x-rays Friday night - come back Monday morning.
Still - its a management decision…
…but to be honest will I really ignore that phone call if it comes?