deano66

Hi Everyone

I've not been on much recently but have been thinking about all of those still waiting, so congratulations to all who've now got them and doing the house selling thing.

I'm in Oz right now, on a validation/recce trip. We're not ready to make the move yet so used the opportunity to see this place in a mode other than holiday. Not sure thats possible, but we've looked at various areas in Melbourne/Sydney, sent our youngest to a day at school, I met up with a contact to discuss the job market etc etc.

One observation that may interest those that are having to drop their house prices to sell, the same seems to be the case in Sydney and Melbourne is also topping out. We have friends in the Hills district and we looked at a place yeterday; same style in a similar area for the same as they paid 3 years ago. To sell, people are clearly taking offers of below asking and on new builds I keep getting called up by the agent in Melbourne.

So not very scientific and I'm sure someone on here will point to statistics that will say the opposite, but its been encouraging that should we need to trim our expectations on what we'll get for ours, we should still be able to get the kind of house we were hoping for.

-d

Sally Simpson

Matt (Pomerz) ,
so very, very sorry to read that you are still having such problems. I really wish you well with the decision making this weekend. There surely has to be a way of putting it to your employers that you would not be leaving if it were not for the lure of Oz?
If it is any consolation, we have our visa, but with the current climate, the decision to go or not, is not very cut & dried either. Sometimes I wish we had never thought about it at all!
Best wishes & I hope that things go well for you & Rach!
Sallyx

severina

Hi Pomerz

Sorry to hear about your further woes.

My employer also has a policy of not giving references but I got my boss to agree to sign it on the basis that it was not really a reference per say but a statement of fact that said nothing about my abilities etc. Most employers stick to the no reference policy to avoid being sued by ex-employees over less than favourable references. Your employer has already provided information to DIAC so surely they will be willing to clarify the job title issue. When you speak to them play up the fact that you would not be considering leaving their employmnet if it were not for the better quality life Oz has to offer....if Oz works out you will ensure a smooth handover to your sucessor..and if it does not work out that you are still fully commited to your job...etc. If they are not willing to play ball, perhaps DIAC would accept a Statutory Declaration with some proof that you were doing the role for the first two years (copy of the initial job advertisement, offer letter, job description, appraisals, proof of projects/work done, letter confirming your job title when it was put in place etc). You are entitled to ask your employer for a copy of your personnel file so there might be information on there that is useful. Under the data protection act, you can also request all information they hold on you electronic or otherwise (minutes of meetings where you were mentioned, e-mails about you etc). Hopefully it won't come to this and they will do the decent thing.

Anyway best of luck. Hang on in there!

maisey

Congratulations Dazster and MDA on your wonderful news.

maisey

Hi Matt
Wanted to let you know that I was really upset to hear of your recent troubles but ....... you have faced so much already and although it is difficult if it was me I would go cap in hand and say that this has always been your dream, there have been some good pieces of advise over the reference and it may be easier to get this done in a different format to meet DIAC requirements. My personal opinion mate is that you have gone through so much already it would be a shame to let it go.
They can't sack you for following your dream, granted they can make things uncomfortable but you should word things carefully.
Good luck Matt and we are thinking of you. Fingers crossed.
May

trevamather

Hi all you fellow julyees,
We can now be scratched off the waiting list coz the visa grant came thro yesterday...WooooHoooo
Just a simple case of selling the house now

Sally Simpson

Yay! Congrats!

I like your optimism about the house sale too!

mad city fan

CONGRATULATIONS

hereshoping

Congrats to trevamather. Dazster and MDA

good luck with the house selling now.

Pommerz my heart goes out to you, you really don't deserve all this I'm sure. Sending you some karma

pomerz

I totally agree there is some great advice there thanks severina very much appreciated and i love the slant on ref and factual letter that may just be the angle of attack......

Also Thanks Sally n Miasey its not easy at the min as you can imagine as we both seem to be pulling in different directions at home so the strain is beginning to show.... And the karma was lovely i gave it all to mrs Matt thanks hereshoping.....

Another night of what to doo's lays ahead the trouble with that is you wake up and just for that split second everything is good....then reality sets in and you feel sick again...... sorry to wallow i will cheer up after a couple of tinnies

Well dun travamatha and lucky old you deano stuck all that way down under on a recce!!!!

Take Care all and be lucky

Matt n Rach

lolylew

congratulations!!!!! really pleased for you

lisa

lolylew

matt & rach,

i really feel for you, and we feel we have problems selling houses

its hard to know what to say, but you've been given some great advice on here.

i do feel it would be such a shame for you to give up on your dream.....YOU ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE, DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

i really hope you get some good news soon, if anyone deserves it you two do

please keep us updated on your situation, i wish you loads of luck and send you good luck karma

lisa

Sally Simpson

Completely understand the pulling in different directions bit! Just don't let it come between you!
Try & enjoy the weekend you two!

severina

Hi Pomerz

Forgot to mention a few things....

Play up the fact that you have been a good loyal employee of X years when you talk to them...

Don't worry about the fact that you have had a run in with the HR Director. They are "supposed" to be professional in all their dealings and are usually so aware of the consequences of getting things wrong that they go down the path of least resistance.

If they don't play ball you should look into raising a grievance in writing about them not confirming that you were working in the role for two years without the job title. Again most HR people tremble when they receive a grievance so will probably say what you want them to say just to avoid the time costs involved in dealing with the issue (meetings, minutes etc), not to mention the risks of getting it wrong and ending up in a tribunal. At the very worst there may be something in the minutes that you could send to DIAC to confirm that you were doing the role for two years before you got your title.

Anyway, I am getting out of my depth here so you may want to consult a employment lawyer if you don't get anywhere with them. If you don't want to incur the costs, ACAS may be able to advise you (Sorry, I have no idea of what your rights are in this situation).

Obviously I can appreciate that you do not want to create a storm at work in case Oz does not work out but usually if you raise a grievance at work people treat you with kid gloves after that. In any event, once you keep it pleasant and keep to the facts there should be no ill will. Keep/request notes of any conversations you have with your employers.

Having said all this you will probably go in Monday and they will be pussy cats. I think we (us "withdrawal of capital investment scheme" people) have become so used to the stress that we expect everything to be a battle. You deserve some luck.

Good news about the state sponsorship though. Take encouragement from that.

All the best. Let us know how you get on.

maisey

congratulations to you