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This is a weird one - kind of a Yay, kind of a Nay.
Last year I was working in 2nd line IT Support for a small local software firm. I was on 22k, with an apparent chance to improve that, but the company was tiny and there was no chance of actual career progression - the next step up from what I was already doing was Technical Director! But it was a nice enough job, it kept me busy and it was a 5 minute drive from home.
Then earlier this year I got essentially headhunted by a guy I used to work with at a well-known printer manufacturer. He had moved jobs and now holds a very senior management position at a rival manufacturer, and he wanted to recruit me to do my old job again but at this rival firm. In terms of the role, it was a big step down as basically all I'd be doing would be reporting for work every day at one of their clients and looking after about 80-odd printers - literally just swapping out toner cartridges when they ran low and managing supplies and waste recycling, and doing a tiny bit of a software support. But the guy promised me it was a stepping stone into the company, that he'd look after me and get my career moving again. He also offered me a nice package: £25k, an annual £2k bonus paid out in quarterly lumps and a company car. Only downside was the commute - I'd be working about 46 miles from home and a 37.5 hour week from the 35 hour week I was doing. But also with 3 extra days annual leave a year. I took the job on.
I've been working at this client's office now since April this year. It's a massive firm and a lovely office building, but the guy who runs the IT department is easily the biggest arsehole I've ever had the misfortune to work for. He's hated by most people here because he really is a colossal cunt. The various people from my company that have to come in and deal with him dislike him intensely - the previous account manager for here (currently on maternity leave) had her last meeting with him whilst she was heavily pregnant and obviously a little hormonal - he was apparently so outright nasty to her that she left the building in tears, and she's definitely not the type to do that.
Anyway, this guy and the general bureaucracy here have worn me down so that whatever enthusiasm I had for the job has long since eroded..
Last week, I got told by one of cuntguy's cronies that they urgently needed complete and accurate documentation of every aspect of what I do here. They told me this was because they were concerned I might call in sick or go on holiday and they would not be able to find effective cover for me. I'm not a fucking idiot, I knew damn well what they wanted the documentation for - they have no need to cover me internally as my company provides all that for them. They just want me out so they can save some cash and bring printer support internally. Makes sense. I phoned up my senior manager friend at my company to tell him about this and he seemed genuinely concerned and asked me to keep an ear out.
That was two weeks ago. Last night, my senior manager friend called me up and told me that, late last Friday, the client had confirmed in writing they no longer wanted me here. They're supposed to give at least 30 days notice for changes like this. They want me out this Friday - therefore he also had to tell me I'm now at risk of redundancy.
However, he also told me not to worry as he's found me a position at my company's head office, doing telephone and email based software solutions support - literally round the corner from where I already work (so still with the massive commute). I can start there on Monday. It's in many ways a better job, since it will give me the exposure I need to the whole range of products the company produces and get me in line to eventually move in to a consultancy position, which is what I've wanted to do for years. He seemed to think a year or two in this new role would give me the exposure I need for that. So in an odd sort of way, my career has just taken an unexpected move forward.
The problem is the package is exactly the same as what I'm already on - minus the company car. They'll apparently let me keep the current car for a month or two, maybe three and give me a lump sum of £1450 (though that's taxable), to buy another car with. And that's all the money I'll have - I move into my new flat this weekend and after deposit and furniture and everything, I'm totally fucking skint.
It's going to be interesting finding a reliable diesel car for what'll be just over a grand.
Very mixed emotions right now. I guess it's a yay.
Edit: tl;dr - I've lost me job, but been offered a slightly better one instead with caveats. Not entirely sure how I feel about it - it's probably a good thing in the long run.. I hope.
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