Well folks, I've done it. My employers have advertised voluntary severance and I've applied for it. I haven't got another job lined up yet, or even the prospect of an interview, but I've done it anyway. I should find out in the first week of October if I win, I mean if it's been accepted or not.

Mrs V. isn't very happy about this, but as far as I'm concerned, once management have you in their sights in that place, you're as good as gone, and I'd rather be paid off at a time of my choosing. I don't know who I've p1ssed off, (though I have my suspicions) but they lied to me during the interview for the role and haven't stopped lying yet.

In my opinion it's a frikkin' tragedy that, after four years, my current employers have made me not want to teach anymore. I mean... I've seen some bitchy behaviour in various offices in my time, but some of those people are just so f**ked up it's unbelievable.

Anyway, it's time now, and if truth be told, yes, I do actually miss the wonderful world of I.,T. so that's where I'll be returning. Since I haven't worked "in the field" for four years, I'll probably have to do some contract work, just to rebuild my reputation, (even though I've kept my skills up to date) but hey... that's life!

Have I made a massive mistake? Time will tell.

Thoughts, anyone...?

Good luck with the future! there is never a justification to stay in a job that grinds you down, all you'd do is ruin your health.

If it feels right you haven't made a mistake.

Sign up for jobserve now and set it up to email you any jobs you may have the skills for.

Get your CV out to as many agencies as possible.

Sign up for linkedin as a lot of companies use that to find people now.

If and when you are interviewed make sure you have questions at the end. One of mine used to be "If I was offered the position and accepted, where do you see me in 5 years?"
That one got me qute a few jobs.

Good luck!

Is this how normal people behave?

Thanks Camille. Given the lack of respect and lack of professional courtesy I've had from my current employers, I'm not rushing back to work until I'm completely over this 'flu. If I actually had any respect for them, I'd probably push it but... No. just no

Quite a few points, Caz, so I'll reply in blue...


Finally, bratty... Is what how normal people behave?

If by "normal" you mean people who have a shred of self-respect and aren't prepared to put up with being treated like sh!t for the sake of a paycheque....then YES!

Good Luck J_V you might want to try some places out to left field like the MOD, they're usually looking for decent IT people who aren't over-commanding on salary and they are a generally good employer with interest in employee development with access to some really good training!

I took the 'offer' of VS in my previous job.
It was either take the offer or be fired as part of cost-cutting, so the offer was the only viable choice for me.
It led to seven months unemployment (the longest amount of time I've been out if work since graduating university in '99) and the filing for divorce between me and my (now ex) wife, so not a particularly great time in my life. *laugh*

If it helps you get out of a particularly toxic working environment, then take the money and walk away. I happened to really like the job I left, so for me it was doubly hard, but just make the decision, and just get on with trying to make ends meet until you get other employment - which I hope is a speedy and painless process for you.
Good luck. You sound like you don't really need it, but I'll offer it anyway because it never really hurts to have. (8+)

Mark

I spent 5 months out of work last year, after the company I worked at for 18 years went into administration leaving us all without any redundancy money at all. That experience taught me that loyalty counts for nothing these days and bosses will screw you over at any opportunity. Having that dropped on us without warning took us a month or two to get our portfolios up to date and get into the swing of applying for jobs. A stressful time, that's for sure, and one that's changed my outlook in my working life - no more doing unpaid overtime to get the job finished, I'm much more aware of bosses taking the p1ss now, you get no more respect for putting in the hours in the long term.

Your situation at least gives you the time to prepare yourself for the job market. So, if you can get some money out of them then grab it and run. True, it's tough out there at the moment, but the best people will still rise to the top.

Good luck, John - to me it sounds like you know exactly what you're doing and are in control of your life.

Update time: I've received the magic email and the answer is YES! They've accepted my application for VS. Fan-bloomin-tastic!

OK, that means I need to find a new job, but at least I get to walk away from this current nightmare with a few quid, and a shred of dignity and self respect.

Hoobloodyrah!

Well done and congratulations. Welcome to the start of the rest of your life

Yay!! Fab news and a great way to start the weekend. Good luck with the job hunt xx

Congratulations.