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?
I am facing the prospect of redundancy with my employer and currently in the consultation phase with the union. I will be asked to reapply for my position, with a number of posts at risk later this month. The first phase of people leaving will be in November.
I have found a new job but they would like me start before my three months’ notice period is up. I’m being held to this three months at my company but I am told that it is exploring options for an early release. However, I see the job offer is slipping away as my new company needs to know a start date.
When I raised this with my line manager he emphasised “operational needs” and said he can’t see any way of handing my work over to someone else – they are focused on operational needs rather than taking into account the human element. I fear now the relationship with my line manager is broken, but it has never been good. To me, they just seem to be holding onto resources as long as possible.
If I do just leave early without permission, I assume I will be seriously blotting my record when it comes to future references and anyway, I don’t want to leave under a cloud. I have been there a long time so it is a fair chunk of my career.
I have been through redundancy before and found it stressful, so do not want to go through this again, which is a possibility if I stay put.
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.
