Career Crossroads

[The Beaver King]

So I'm at a stage in my career where I have a decision to make; the classic 'should I stay or should I go?'...

To keep things simple; I work in a niche area of construction, dealing in M&E Buidling Services Offsite Fabrication.

I've worked for my current employer for 5 years and in the next weeks they will be shutting our side of the business, making the staff redundant (circa 15 people). The current works will then be taken up by another part of the business.

I have known about this for a few months as I am seen as a senior figure in the business, although I am actually not in an 'official' management position.

I've been approached by an ex-boss who would like me to go and work for him at his new company. The new facility is 'state of the art', the role is similar to what I do now, but with excellent potential to use my exisiting skillset. The new place is failing in the areas that I am proficient in, so there is very little chance of failure.

Moneywise, it is a 35-40% increase with similar benefits package. The commute is on par with my current company.

To throw a spanner into the works, my current employers have spoken to me about a 'role' that is being created. They have 'suggested' I apply for it and that they really want to retain me. In fact they have 'unofficially' said "write your own job description and salary expectations, we will do the rest".

I am the only one in my company who can do the role and has the relevant experience. The issue is that I feel the job is a 'poisoned chalice', which I don't think they realise. As with all things in construction, one failure is quickly spread and makes the task of putting a product/solution forward more difficult.
Not to mention that I know my ex-boss will soon be entering the open market, meaning I will be going 'head to head' with him. I don't mind the challenge, but he basically mentored me and has 30 years in the industry. It would be very difficult to compete against him.


In a nut shell; two jobs, both massive companies, both offering similar packages. One moves me to a new company with all the support and facilites I desire and a role that I would 99% succeed in. The other gives me a chance to stand on my own, going head to head with my ex-boss, being the only 'expert' in my business and a clear route up he ladder if I succeed.

Anybody else had to make a decision like this? Any advice?

[STW2010]

Taking up the offer elsewhere seems to have the perfect balance of challenge and reward.

I don't think I would even consider staying at the current place to be honest, especially with the 'poisoned chalice' remark you have made!

[The Beaver King]

Thanks for the comment. Sorry it has taken a bit of time to reply.

Tomorrow is D-day and the announcement will be made regarding the future of the business. I have my one-to-one on Friday to discuss my redundancy package.

My current employer seems fairly confident that I will be accepting the new role; funny as I haven't really given any suggestion that this is the case, other than writing a job description for them.

I'm a little concerned that my redundancy package offer may be light, seeing as they are expecting me to take this new role.

Any advice on how I could speak to them about bulking up my package (no pun intended...)?

[Sharted]

Although I probably cannot help in terms of specific advice.

I can relate in a small way to your position, I took redundancy recently and can speak positively about the opportunity to:

Take a little time out.
Trouser a few quid in redundancy payment.
Take a risk-free opportunity to reassess your career.
Look forward to a change of scenery, new colleagues etc.

They say that you only get the chance twice in a normal career, three for me so far!

[edc]

You may well find that the other role being presented is a suitable alternative role and that you are no longer at risk thus no redundancy payment. Without knowing the details on the surface it sounds like it will be as it seems to be a broadly similarly responsible role with the same or improved terms and conditions.

[The Beaver King]

Sharted said:

Although I probably cannot help in terms of specific advice.

I can relate in a small way to your position, I took redundancy recently and can speak positively about the opportunity to:

Take a little time out.
Trouser a few quid in redundancy payment.
Take a risk-free opportunity to reassess your career.
Look forward to a change of scenery, new colleagues etc.

They say that you only get the chance twice in a normal career, three for me so far!

Good to hear a positive experience

Unfortunately, I probably won't get the chance to take some time out. Even if I could convince my new potential employer to hold off, my current employer is likely to put forward a retention package to keep me for a few months if I opt not to stay with them.

edc said:

You may well find that the other role being presented is a suitable alternative role and that you are no longer at risk thus no redundancy payment. Without knowing the details on the surface it sounds like it will be as it seems to be a broadly similarly responsible role with the same or improved terms and conditions.

You'd be correct in your assumption.

From what I have been told, they will offer me redundancy but I will have the opportunity to apply for this new role. I am guessing that because the new role is based a good distance away from my current place of work, they can't just TUPE me over.

It doesn't make much sense as the new role is national and I have already been told I can choose my base location.

To be honest, for a big company, my current employer seems to be handling this whole thing in a very rushed and uncoordinated manner. They haven't even got a full strategy in place for the relocation, so I doubt they have looked too much into the details of redundancy.