Hi all, I had my birthday this week and my colleagues were kind enough to wish me and my manager kindly organised a birthday card. I did take the birthday off from work. This is the only birthday I've actually enjoyed celebrating and I didn't get too emotional, so it's meaningful to me in a way and therefore I decided to keep the leftover cake to myself and not bring it to the office. Yes, in the past I did eat colleagues' cake but I wouldn't mind not eating going forward, especially if I wasn't to bring my own. I also like to separate my work from my personal life that way (yes I know colleagues were kind enough to wish me but I'm not doing/expecting anything beyond that). What are your thoughts on this? My manager very jokingly asked about the cake, I said it's all gone now (a white lie). Thanks!

I've landed a new job, but then my favorite company (which rejected me once) contacted me back and asked for proceeding. Then I've got the offer and planned to resign, but then the current employer did ask me for a consultation process. What should I ask for?

I had a final interview two weeks ago and was told the feedback was very positive, but they still had another candidate to interview last week.

I followed up today and the recruiter replied saying “ sorry for the delay they’ve now finished all second-stage interviews and do have an update and I wondered if you might be free for a quick call tomorrow morning since all our communications have been on teams or email. “

All my previous rejections/ offers have come by email. Would you take this as a positive sign, or do recruiters also call to reject final-stage candidates?

Trying to brace myself as I really wanted the job!

Title. What, in your experience are the telltale signs that a job posting is fake? I have a hunch on 1or 2 possible ones, like a vacancy being open for like 2 months or something. But I worry so much about this, especially when I encounter a role that so nicely fits my experience and skills.

Would like to hear your thoughts on this!

Hi. Wonder what are your thoughts on keeping in touch with a colleague that I really enjoyed working. I'm moving internally to another team so will be able to email/msg them. Also what's the best way to say I really enjoyed with with him and the lessons I learned from him. I'm thinking in at the end of the year to message him to see how the team is doing/how the project is doing? I'm looking for opinions and advice. Thanks

Hello,

My workplace has been struggling, like most I suppose. Typical story, American company bought it out, went all in on AI. Software not understanding what we do.

Massively overspent and it massively under delivered, hence now cripple debt and a non-profitable company.

The company has been on a hire freeze long term now.

Had 3 rounds of redundancy in the past 3 months, all senior levels. Pretty much 90% of senior leadership (CEO included) laid off in the last 6 months too under various restructuring disguises. (Financial director, sales, dev, customer care teams gone too).

Had a round of redundancy for all the lower admin level roles too. Leaving basically the middle semi-skilled workers to run the company.

The company is now probably a fifth of its size in personnel from this time last year.

Out the blue, we got a call today asking for volunteers for an early termination settlement with an enhanced payment package. Now they stressed we are not redundant at this stage or in danger, just the company needs to save X amount of money by X date (not disclosed timeline). We have till mid August to apply if we want it. I am guessing if not enough people apply, it will become forced with a worse payment.

How worried would you be?!

Been in the company 9 years, it’s quite a nice WFH job. Bit demanding but the trade off is worth it. But the red flags can’t fly any more obviously.

The job market sounds brutal and I would love to have something lined up so I can take voluntary redundancy but realistically, it’s probably not happening in time.

I can’t risk unemployment either with two young children and a mortgage.

I've been at my first (professional) job for about a couple of years now. I WFH pretty much full time aside from the occasional site visit or going into the office for meetings with other company reps.

I've noticed a very consistent phenomena of feeling physically terrible whenever I'm in the office. In particular, the feeling of being constantly bloated, gassy and feeling like you need to do a number 2.

I highly doubt this has anything to do with diet, as this never happens when I'm WFH. Ive also been through a variety of diet and lifestyle choices throughout my 2 years, and the common denominator always seems to be being in the office.

I've seen people attribute this to stress, but im not convinced that is the case. I enjoy what I do for work, im not overworked and my colleagues are great. I've also been through pretty stressful periods before work, and none of the other signs are there (poor sleep, hair loss etc.).

Was wondering if anyone else has a similar experience or any advice.

My wife has recently been told she is at risk of redundancy and has her first individual consultation meeting with HR on 28 July. She works in tech for a UK product-based software company.
She started on 6 August 2024, so she’ll complete 2 years’ continuous service on 6 August 2026, which seems particularly important as I understand that’s when she’d become entitled to statutory redundancy pay.
From what we’ve been told so far, it looks like her last working day may be Friday 31 July, although nothing has been confirmed yet.
Her contract says the company can either give 4 weeks’ notice or 4 weeks’ pay in lieu of notice (PILON). She also has around 13 days of annual leave remaining. She’s been selected for redundancy based on a selection matrix and has received a relatively low score.
I’m trying to understand a few things. If redundancy is confirmed after the consultation, could the company terminate her employment before 6 August to avoid her reaching two years service? If they decide to pay 4 weeks PILON instead of having her work her notice, does that affect whether she qualifies for statutory redundancy pay? Does her remaining annual leave have any effect on her termination date, or is it simply paid out?
We’re also wondering whether there is usually any room for negotiation in situations like this. Has anyone working in the UK tech industry managed to negotiate an enhanced redundancy package, a later termination date, garden leave, or any other improved exit terms?
Finally, is there anything specific she should ask for or challenge during the individual consultation, particularly regarding the selection matrix and the scores she was given?
Any advice from people who’ve been through a similar situation or who know UK employment law would be greatly appreciated.

I have a conditional offer with a fixed autumn intake. My current contract requires a month's notice. If the formal offer arrives late, I may not be able to complete the entire notice period before the start date.

My manager seems supportive. He said he'd just leave without finishing the notice if necessary. It also involves moving across the country.

Has anyone left a UK job before completing their contractual notice to meet a fixed start date? Did your previous employer pursue it, mention it in a reference, or contact your new employer?

Hello, I’m trying to find a graduate job but I’m having some difficulties.

I’m originally from another country, but I moved to the uk for university.
When I apply for a graduate job they often ask me for UCAS points, A-levels, and GCSE. Unfortunately there’s not an official translation from marks in my home country.
I just received a rejection email saying I don’t meet the academic requirements.
They were also asking for a 2:1 degree minimum.
I have a 2:1 undergrad degree obtained in the uk and I’m about to finish a master as well (still in the uk, still 2:1. I also do not need any visa sponsorship).
So I’m not understanding how I do not meet the minimum requirements, is that important how I did in high school? How can I stop being penalised just for that?

I'm currently in a situation where my manager is not checking things properly and telling me to work on tasks I'm already working on.

Telling me things aren't done in front of the group chat when he's not even looking at the right files or domains.

I've started to call it out. An example is him asking why a website hasn't been published without a review, stating, "I can't see you ever asking me to review." My response being "The changes aren't finished, I didn't want you to review unfinished work."

The catch is it was finished and ready for review, and that was stated. It feels like their trying to catch me out, but I'm always two steps ahead.

How do I handle this situation, giving I'm the only person he's managing, and as much as I'd love to call things out in full, I want to keep my job.

I'm (F50) currently working as a treasury manager in the North East. I'm on excellent pay for the region but similar roles are hard to find. They are mostly concentrated in London, Manchester and Leeds. The latter is commutable if on a hybrid basis.

I have been working in treasury for 10 years but I started as a corporate accountant and fully qualified.

I am now interested in going back to accountancy so I have been applying for FTC roles as a finance manager or finance business partner and I have been made an offer of 18 months FTC for FBP but at a 15% pay cut. It's within large organisation in an exciting industry so hopefully there's room for progression. Its based in Central Newcastle which is about 45 minutes from where I live.

I have just had a second interview for treasury manager in central Leeds which I'm yet to hear back on. I have chased the recruiter but no response.

We don't have a mortgage so we can make the numbers work. It will mean that any dreams of retirement will be postponed for a few years.

Should I take the job and keep looking? The redundancy package was £6k plus 3 month PILON so it won't last me too long.

Thanks for reading

I got wind from my manager/good friend last week that my name was dropped as potential for redundancy

Company is 30ish employees, few directors ) turnover last year circa £8m

HR (one of the owners) got me in today, essentially I’m being made redundant, and do I want to settle financially.

I said I’m happy to come to/negotiate an agreement, the offer comes back, PILON, (one month) entitled holidays remaining, and 3 week statutory redundancy pay.

FWIW I’m not interested in protracting it out too long, but I do want to make them have to pay to do this kind of thing, I don’t believe they should be able to do and pay the minimum.

Any advice welcome

I’ve been there 3 years, I’m 38 years old.

Edit: just to try and make things clear, after reading some comments and understanding things better.

I appear to have been offered a “settlement”
Although I want to make it clear, I have been informed in no uncertain terms that my employment with the company is coming to an end, as a redundancy, if I don’t accept a settlement.

Hi all! I’m 29 (M) and currently a senior sales rep for an orthopaedic medical device company. Taking home between 80-140k (on a very good year) for the past 5 years, usually averaging late 90’s/early 100.

Although, what do I do from here? I understand money is good but sales is a very demanding, on 24/7 role and it feels so heavily draining every month chasing the next number. Has anyone ever pivoted from sales into a different area / have any experience from leaving sales?

Becoming the norm for me these days. I don't know why I bother. My criteria isn't even incredibly narrow.

Life is short and work is a large part of it and I hate my job with a passion. I have never been in such a toxic, passive aggressive, cliquey organisation in my life. Hard working staff are being pushed out of their roles and replaced with carbon copies of management who do a lot less work leaving the "veterans" to pick up the short comings. It is starting to impact my home and social life as well as my physical and mental health.

My old manager from many years ago has been in touch to say a job I used to do is available again. Now I loved that job, I only left as I had moved and at the time there wasn't an option to go remote or change location but now there is. The only issue is it's a bit of a pay cut, around 8%. This isn't massive for most but I'm not exactly a high earner so it equates to around £3,000pa. Is it worth dropping the salary for peace of mind? Should I throw my hat in the ring and see what happens? I'm not looking for a high flying role, I just want to be comfortable and secure without feeling like I am in a school playground. I'm middle aged and it just exhausts me!

I'm a university student and was applying to any remote positions and any part time positions. I applied to a truck load of odd remote jobs I can do while in university mainly so that I can save this income once I graduate. I stick to fully remote positions because being in university full time my timetable won't allow me to take days off to be in office at any place. I got an interview at a firm to do data entry but they emailed back stating the salary and that it's not fully remote I would have to be in office 2 days a week. How can I work around this? Is there a way I can convince them to let me be fully remote without losing this?

Any and all advice is appreciated 👏 💐

Update: Withdrew from the application 😭😭 but I wasn't able to meet their requirements so I will try again next time and actually make sure positions are written out completely transparently.

i just started my first office job, it’s been a week and one day. everyone’s super lovely and kind, i can’t complain about the people at all. i’ve not had one bad experience with anyone so far.

however, im really struggling to fit in. i normally have quite a bubbly personality but i feel like ive become such a weirdo with zero personality since working here.

everyone’s incredibly extroverted, and they’re all very close to each other. i find it hard to join in or engage in the conversations because they’re either talking about something i don’t know about or there’s no pause in the conversation so i can’t get a word in. i’m also quite soft spoken compared to them, so a lot of the times when i do speak they struggle to even hear me.

i do much better in one to one conversations but i still find it difficult to keep the conversation going, i just don’t know what to say. i’m not normally like this, i usually have lots to say and don’t usually struggle this much to talk to people so idk what’s going on with me or why im being so weird.

i’m just struggling in general with the social side of things :( again, everyone’s super nice so it must be a me thing, but idk why im being like this? i just don’t feel like me. i tell myself every morning today im just going to be me and its going to be a good day and ill be perfectly fine all the way until i step into the office, then its like somethings possessed me and all personality has exited the building.

I'm half heartedly applying for new jobs, and found one that seemed vaguely related to my current role so thought I'd take a punt and apply. This was the rejection email, the notes are clearly not meant to be included. Wonder why its so confidential?

Being fired? New round of redundancies and creating adjacent roles to replace them? Put notice in but for some reason needs to be kept hush hush? Internal person already in mind?

I'm intrigued...

I’ve been job hunting for a while, I have an offer but it’s not a massive jump etc. I’m weighing the pros and cons and just wondered what people thought or maybe looking for some insight from someone impartial.

Current role:
Pay 32,000-38,000 PA bracket, I’m on 33k.
Fixed term till March 27 with likely option of extension.
Fully WFH but job isn’t exactly inspiring but I am enjoying the freedoms and lack of commuting. Means I have more ability to go to gym etc.

New role:
Pay 38,000-48,000 bracket starting at 38k.
Full time permanent.
Office based and the commute will fully eat into the 5k pay rise for the first year. So no effective pay rise. Commute would be around 90 mins total a day and require trains due to location.
Role is more aligned to what I want to do, but maybe not quite pay where I want it to be.

I just wondered what people’s thoughts were. It’s really hard applying and getting turned down a lot of the time. I’m super torn. I enjoy where I work and the people I work with, I simply don’t have enough income on 33k for what I want out of life and the fixed term nature puts pressure on with a mortgage to pay.

I’m at a stage now where I feel like I need to be considering the long term (of which perhaps nothing can ever be truly secure but a permanent contract is better than fixed term).

Edit:

I suppose a curve ball could be, should I ask for more? Try to negotiate a slightly better salary in the new role? I’m definitely experienced enough.

My actual job description: fryer, manager, prep, banking, security, cleaning, and unofficial IT support because I fix the till systems, printers, WiFi and staff laptops too. Shifts are 2pm-11:30pm. Haven’t taken a sick day in 3 years. Been late once, and that was because the rota changed without telling me.

Meanwhile I’ve found out other assistant managers in the same company are on £30k+ base. Mine isn’t close. My tax code’s also been wrong repeatedly, so I’m somehow taking home even less than I should on top of that.

General manager finishes around 9:40pm most nights. I close alone around 10:30-11pm. When they do talk to me, it’s usually shouting. Multiple experienced staff have quit because of it. GM even told me the business only has about 3 months to turn things around financially.

I've been with my current employer for nearly 20 years and want to move. It's less about the money/career and more that there's some bad blood and I have had enough.

I've applied for 3 roles, had one interview (which I'm hoping I'm offered) but I've just had an email asking me my salary expectations and I don't know what to answer.

The role I've applied for is a VP, which is my current company has a start salary of £65k. I'm currently on £52, and the grade below VP so this would be a step up.

I am paralysed over making a decision - I'd like £65 - but are they going to think that's much too high and dismiss me? Or much too low and they'll think it's laughable?! Would the best bet be to say a range?

Role info: 4/5 days in office (currently 2/5); financial.

Help! It's been so long since I applied for a job externally I'm worried I'm going to shoot myself in the foot accidentally!

Hi all, this has probably been posted a few times but one more can’t hurt.

I work as a service engineer for a well known coffee company and was wondering if anyone can help clear this up for me. Our start time is 8:30 but we don’t get paid until 9am finish time is 6pm not paid from 5:30pm ( admittedly most are home by 5:30pm) we get an hour for lunch.
They say the reason we don’t get paid until 9am is commute time however to find where our first job is we must log on to our tablets as job change frequently, we also have a weekly meeting scheduled for 8:30 once a week. So technically we’re working 8 hours a day rather 7.5 which they pay us for. I’ve also noticed on Dayforce when you book a day off a day is classed as 7.5 hours. Am I being petty or should they pay us for this?

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I need some advice. I've currently got a job as a Mobile Rig Operator. Consists of going to various sites of the UK and maintaining these rigs, you're left alone to manage it.

It pays very well and I've been lucky as they have been sending me to the same site each week doing Monday to Friday 12 hour shifts and the work is easy, I get paid travel, hotel and £25 a night expenses for food. I'm travelling 1 way from my home to this particular site (1 hour 50 min drive sometimes 2) and then back on Friday.

I've just been offered a job which is a 20 minute drive from my house with a varied shift pattern which is for example 2 days 2 night shifts then 3 days off. 2 days 3 nights and 4 days off then 3 days and 2 nights 5 days off repeat. £35k + potential overtime and there is room for progression.

I'm currently weighing up the odds as my current place may continue to send me to the same site each week. Though one week I was working Monday to Saturday.

(I don't find out what I'm working on until Thursdays, so I can't plan ahead)

And it could change they could start sending me somewhere else which is a longer commute time. And potentially a longer period away from home.

I'm trying to weigh up the odds as the average 60 hour week I'm making about £1051.58 a week and then OT is 1.5x on Saturdays, 2x on Sundays. Which they rota you in for some weeks and some they don't

It truly is the dream job, but my only issue is I don't get much of a home life.

With the current site they've been sending me too, I've made do keeping myself busy, I've gone to the gym, there's bouldering, I've found a few badminton clubs, I've been to the cinema a few times on my own and I've explore the countryside and enjoyed the pubs.

But with a job closer to home I can enjoy more of that and have more of a home life and go to the clubs in my area more regularly.

To add, I have just bought a house, unfurnished with lots of work to do so the extra money may come a bit handy.

I just want a second opinion, as currently I can make a decent amount of cash working my current job. Or go back to a regular sort of salary.