"I've been offered a job," says Francis, with all the enthusiasm of somebody who's just been presented with a large slice of pizza with sick topping. It is, sadly, the wrong job.
The job he really wanted with the two merging companies - vision statement: 'we're very much in love' - has opted for incest and appointed somebody who works there already. But that's the way with romance.
Instead, he's been offered a role in a dynamic organisation selling men's beauty products. Though, being men, they're nothing to do with beauty - God forbid - but substances so innately virile that pores don't just spring open with just one application but bubble over with Vesuvial amounts of testosterone.
There's only one problem. Not only is it a pared down, six-stone weakling of a job with a job title to match, but the salary is substantially less that the one he was on.
"I'll be turning it down, of course," he says, matter of factly, opening a beer. A lot of thoughts course through my mind at this point. Particularly the urgent need to check how much his life is insured for, followed by a swift call to the insurance company to see if being arrested for murder is invariably a bar to receiving the payout.
But I have to be good. I have to be supportive. Though, let's be honest, I have very little choice. "You must decide what you want to do," I say, while the words, "It's a job, take it. It's a job, take it," roll round and round in my head.
Our money is dwindling rapidly. I am taking on more teaching work from September but it's not enough.
So does Francis open the box, accept the job - because it's a job, after all - or hang on in there because he's got more interviews over the next few weeks? I only wish I knew.
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26 comments:
That is a very difficult call my dear. Only you can know the state of your family, we can't know what goes on once you close the top of your laptop. I wish you success in your decision - to support or to kill.
My definition for "how bad is it?", is the question, "Is anyone dead or deathly ill?" "No? then we can deal with it."
I send you my support.
Lady M: I suppose 'support and kill' isn't a realistic option, is it?
A very difficult quandary indeed. Could he try to negotiate for a better salary?
Support or kill? Hm, tricky. Is it not a job he would feel comfortable taking while he waits for others to come through? The karma might work with him....he's got a job (of sorts) so other jobs he actually wants will be attracted to him?
Gwen: he could try for a better salary but they can't pay him more than the others on the same level because they'd all want more, too.
Nunhead: He worries that if he accepts, gets something better and then bales out, he'll get a bad reputation because it's a small industry.
I would have thought honesty was the best policy. Tell them that it's a great offer but it's a little less money than he was expecting. Then either they up the offer or at least he gives himself time to have other interviews and get a better offer.
Wow, OM, that's a hard one. I'm sure you're starting to feel desperate--I would be!!! I guess you'll both have to search your gut feelings and see if he needs to hold out. I just pray that soon SOMETHING will be settled, and that it will be the best thing that ever happened to your family. Crossing my fingers...
Could you manage on it? If so, I think I'd want him to take it - but keep looking for something better anyway.
The other options don't seem to be ALL that sensible when viewed unemotionally...
Take the job on a trial basis - both ways. If a better one comes along, take that. Every man for himself these days.
SAHD/Brillig/IB/CJ: Thanks so much for all your advice. It's so welcome. I think honesty is good, SAHD - and he is going to speak to them next week. Brillig - thanks for your thoughts. IB: I just don't want him to feel he's been pressurised into making the wrong choice. CJ: Shaft someone and they tend to turn up at the next interview....
Oh crikey - good luck with whatever you jointly decide. Maybe even if this isn't the job F. takes it's a sign that the tide has turned?
Hard to know what to do.
Money shouldn't be the sole reason for taking a job, shouldn't be the sole reason for turning it down either. Sometimes it is more important to be happy even if that means a belt tightening exercise.
Quite often people are more impressed with someone who has taken a job, made the best of it and wants to improve their position. Are there prospects for promotion ??? That could make a big difference.
Shilly shallying and saying you are prepared to take the job on a trial basis may put an employer off.
Pointless pushing him in to something that will make him miserable.
If you have to kill him make sure you set yourself up with a cast iron alibi, going to the pub and being seen by loads of people then sneaking out the back way and nipping home to top him should be good. Make sure some friends come with you for a nightcap so you don't have to find the corpse on your own, always looks suspicious.
Kev
M@L: Thanks for good wishes
Kev: What practical advice! Thanks so much. Thinking about it, I may have blown it by putting murder query into blog....might ruin my defence, even with entire county coming back with me and discovering the body. Also, I'd need to stock up on nightcap material.
Hi Omega mum...that is a tough call but if finances are running low perhaps this is the job for right now as a stepping stone to a better one.
I had written a poem you liked and you asked for one on urban life too...it is at the blog now :)
Janice: Coming over to look now. How exciting!
Could he stand it for a year?
It's always easier to find a job when you're already in a job, so if he could manage whatever length of time's the minimum in his industry and at this level, he could use the job to make new contacts and plot his departure.
A year goes by very quickly...
Hmm. I think happiness is the main thing. If he won't be happy, then he shouldn't do it, whatever the money situation. The bigger the risk, the bigger the gain. Just shut your eyes, and hold on tight.
This is so difficult.
My thoughts are with you, whatever you decide.
Thanks, Debio
I'm with just about everyone on this. I do rate happiness higher than money though. We went from owning two cars to none for a while (admittedly, we live near to grandparents et al who are more than willing to share and Switz. is fab on public transport). There's a bit of a downsize in the offing now which I'm actually looking forward to, because I lurve him and really want him to be happy (self-serving, of course; his happiness equals mine).
No one can say what option (take it/don't take it/hold out for something better/consider something totally different) is the right one for you. Good luck in working it out!
o xxx
Orchidea: I would love to rate happiness higher than money. It's just that having a little makes unhappiness easier to bear......Thanks for your good wishes.
Yes, having a little does make unhappiness easier to bear. I can speak from experience! I love retail therapy as much as the next woman but it's amazing, looking back, how much crap I bought when I had cash to fritter away.
(says she, who absolutely must have those supple tan platform ankle boots pronto and put over £60 in the till at Lush last week...)
Orchidea: Not forgetting the special badger's bum scent......
Yes, that one to! It'll last me for ever, so I was quite frugal for once, considering. ;-)
Orchidea: Stick to your pulse points and mind the bristles.
Hang on in there, and make him do some part time 'pay the bills' tempign type stuff untilt eh big 'un comes off (if that pays more than benefits - if not stick with the benefits)
last time I was made redundant, I turned down a number of poorly paid not what I wanted jobs. I got there in the end.
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