This place is moving with all the speed of a spastic in a magnet factory tonight.
So... I may be out of a job shortly, assuming I get the redundancy I've volunteered for. No biggie, I like the job and all but the package I'd (hopefully) get would see me alright for a fair bit and also allow me to pay off what debt I have (loans not insured as I reckon it's not worth the paper it's written on). Plus, if it's a choice of going now on current terms or waiting for the Goovmint to get their bill through Parliament that will allow them to slash redundancy packages in the public sector, then I'll take my chances now, thank you very much.

However, I'm not one for sitting on my arse ad infinitum and would want to work; another reason for putting in for redundancy now is that I figure I'm still young enough to try something different. Trouble is, after nigh on 20 years of working in the same sector, I'm not sure what. Any suggestions? Currently, I do project appraisals for small to medium business and community sector grants, but have also done shitty admin type stuff and persuading the unemployed that working for a living is actually a fucking marvellous idea. I trained in graphic design but don't really have the inclination to get into that now.

Alt Q: Are half torn, slightly soiled grot mag pages stuck in trees and bushes becoming a thing of the past thanks to the internet, and when did you last stumble on a stash of badly hidden grumble?
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 26 Jul 2010, 20:26, 14 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I only found surpise porn
when I worked in a photo lab. We got it all the time. One place I worked had a service where you sent in films to be processed. Those were the ones that amongst the children on the swing pictures, included daddy being tied up on the bed
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Mon 26 Jul 2010, 20:42, Reply)

Nice!

( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 26 Jul 2010, 20:44, Reply)

Alright matie !
I was talking to a close friend who works for the NHS today, I donno if it's the sameish thing with you, but she is a bit "=/" about staying/leaving. She's quite highesh up (without knowing these things), I think they call it grade 8 and is getting shitloads of flack from the person above her 'cus she has been signed off but was working from home, seems well unfair to me 'cus she was doing them a favour by working from home.

She's kindda stuck in the NHS 'cus of the pention, it's not exactly a noose, but the benfits are quite huge, 7 weeks holiday, very nice wage, that sort of thing.

I know a few NHS workers, in the non-medical side of things, and it seems to me that half do the other half's job plus their own work.

Maybe you can fall back in love with graphic design, here is a website that I look at that you might like: www.holycool.net/
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 26 Jul 2010, 21:04, Reply)

It's the same all over the public sector, Gonz.
I fell into it 20 years ago as a stop gap; ended up staying in a job I hated for over 10 years before taking a plunge on leaving to work for another body and finding I enjoyed what I was doing. The terms and conditions (at the moment) are a real plus, but the Goovmint is trying its damnedest to slash these as far as they can. I don't especially want to leave as I like my job, but if it means staying and possibly losing out big time later down the line, then I'd rather take the chance now.

Yes, public spending needs to reduce, but they are talking about arbitrarily changing terms and conditions with no consultation for people that have been doing a job for years - anyone facing retirement in the next few years would be fucked over big time under the new proposals.

Will look at the link tomorrow as I'm bushed.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Tue 27 Jul 2010, 0:08, Reply)

Ackshully it doesnt
most economists these days agree that the way to get out of recession is for the government to increase spending. That tends to give money to the people at the bottom of the ladder and they tend to spend the most, so it ends up stimulating the economy.

Sadly you can't get elected quoting facts.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Tue 27 Jul 2010, 0:43, Reply)

Good luck in your new venture.
Could you feasibly take a month or so off work to just enjoy some time and figure out what you want to do?
It's something I'd like to do if given the chance. My girlfriend took a 2 month sabbatical from her job and she said that it was a great experience and when she went back to work it was she was more focused not only on what she wanted career wise but also in other aspects of her life.
(nolongernuts, Mon 26 Jul 2010, 23:08, Reply)

Depends on whether I actually get it.
My employer is looking to keep costs down so my expression of interest is no doubt creating great mirth amongst the HR bods. I'm picturing them rolling around on the floor, tears in eyes as they screech at each other "This cunt's got NO fucking chance, it'll cost more to get rid of him than it will to employ him for the next 18 months".

But yeah, in the probably unlikely event I get accepted I'd take a couple of months out to consider my options.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 26 Jul 2010, 23:54, Reply)

There's a few at our place who have took the
"Look, will you just fuck off now so we can get saps in on really shitty T's & C's to replace you?" package. There's some who are starting businesses in their late fifties and others who it'll bolster the nest egg and they can go and push trolleys in Asda for pin money but with no stress.

More power to your elbow Sir
(SpunkyMcSpunkbubble Diddled your nubbin on, Tue 27 Jul 2010, 4:36, Reply)

I have a nearly sensible suggestion
if you have the money to sustain yourself for a bit, could you be a sort of small/medium business consultant. All the jobs you've had, have an impact on thatm and there is a surge at the moment. As a consultant to help people figure out their accounts, graphic design, business plan etc. Just a suggestion but I reckon you'd be good at it.

The only 'porn' I have ever stumbled across, off the internet was a poorly written HP fanfiction, someone had printed out and left on a train
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 26 Jul 2010, 23:29, Reply)

I'd probably be good at some aspects of it
and not others. Accounts leave me cold, for example. However, I know my way around application forms and stuff, and know the type of info funders want.

To be honest I'd do pretty much anything except go back to working in a Jobcentre. Nearly cost me my mental health the last time.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 26 Jul 2010, 23:57, Reply)

So a freelance advice service then?
Demystifying documents and processes, smoothing the way a bit (for a price)

/gangster
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 27 Jul 2010, 0:30, Reply)

If you all of a sudden find you have a vast expanse of free time, use it to clear out all the junk floating in your head and allow yourself to get back in touch with your mind's natural state.

Travelling is probably not an option for you right now, so if you've had an idea for a project you've always wanted to work on, go for it. Even if it fails, you can still use it as relevant experience if applying for a related job. If your mind's still blank, think about what you wanted to be as a kid and have a look into that.

Even if you don't end up in your dream career, if you find yourself working in an environment where you enjoy working with the people you work with, that in itself is an achievement.

I too was recently made redundant and am about to set off on an epic adventure of my own.

Good luck.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Mon 26 Jul 2010, 23:56, Reply)

Cheers spak.
When I was a kid, for some idiotic reason I wanted to be a farmer. Probably because our garden had a huge farmer's field at the bottom of it which contained carrots. That I would steal from time to time...

Knowing what I know about the industry now (farmers being a principle client, if you will) I wouldn't go near it!
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Tue 27 Jul 2010, 0:00, Reply)

So DG,
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

What do you enjoy doing most?

What would you be prepared to do for less money?

You have a great opportunity facing you (if the package comes through) and now is the time to think about YOU.

Dr Who theme pub? ;)
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Tue 27 Jul 2010, 11:13, Reply)