Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
Two and a half years ago I left an academic career to move into policy, undertaking a master’s degree in the subject. I work in a very niche field and the vast majority of jobs are in London. However 18 months ago I secured a post at a rural research organisation. The job pays above average but is geographically isolated. I was relieved at landing a good permanent job and happy at the prospect of not moving for a few years, having moved at least every three years or so for nearly 20 years. I even started thinking about buying a house.
Initially, things seemed to be going OK, but very quickly work started to dry up. I tried to come up with my own projects agreed by my managers, but they were largely ignored.
To make matters worse, I report to three people. None work in the same field as myself, or in the same field to each other. They don’t appear to understand my job or what I should be doing.
I brought up the lack of work and lack of direction in August and since then we’ve cycled through various ups and downs but largely nothing has changed. Despite all this I’m being promoted and I’m told my work (what little I do) is excellent. I’m being put forward for promotion because I work “so independently”. One of the three managers has said that I need to come up with a strategy for my job, but I have no idea what this strategy is meant to achieve, other than occupying my time.
The organisation is unwilling to do policy, as I understand policy to mean. Every time I have tried to persuade senior management to take a position on an issue, get involved with any policy debates or even instigate internal discussions on policy issues that affect our work as a research organisation, I have been met with a lack of comprehension and a resistance to stating any point of view however confidentially.
I am at a complete loss as to why I was hired. I’m looking for new jobs but I’m faced with the prospect of moving once again and effectively taking a salary cut because of the cost of commuting in London.
Should I just accept that I need to get another job, give up on the idea of buying a house and accept a pay cut or is there some way I can push them to find me work?
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
