Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Well, the simple version is:

Old job - better pay, major player in a vibrant, ongoing, strong research group, degree director, wonderful relationships with enjoyable students, wonderful set of colleagues, great organization and resources, felt VERY appreciated.

New job - drop in pay, fighting with HR (long story but one example: they are making me do a probationary period after 20 years of teaching!), not part of a research group, no-one else in the unit is in my content area so no more fun academic conversations, sharing an office (major distraction!), different teaching content area (nursing, rather than exercise science), teaching consists of one- to four-hour "guest lectures" in other people's classes, VERY poor organization, research quality is abysmal ... I could go on. My level of job satisfaction has gone from almost 100% to almost 0%. My level of (bad) job stress has gone from maybe 30% to about 80%.

Actually, I am now having stress-related health problems that have caused me to take time off work. And I have the added stress that being new, I don't have much in the way of sick pay benefits .... and don't know anyone here to discuss things with.

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Oh Dunroving...I feel so sorry for you. I have been following your posts...you seem such a nice guy...everything just seemed to fall into place for you and now this. I am sure there will be light at the end of the tunnel...you deserve it. Good luck.

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Ask your estate agent what the letting situation is in the area - probably good if you are near a uni - if it IS good, buy, then rent out property if you have to move.
If the rent won't nearly cover the mortgage payments maybe not such a good idea.

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Dunroving

Like Jerseygirl, I have been reading your entries from the US back to the UK. I really feel for you Petal. Take time this weekend to review your options away from your job, a long walk in the fresh air, think about the good things in your life (this is not a case of counting your blessings, its about literally thinking where the good things can take you) The job sounds from your perspective to be "wrong" Thats probably not going to change unless you suddenly start to appreciate or view those things in a different way.

Would going back to the US be a backward step for you/possible? Do you want to be in the UK? Are there any options for the type of post you want in Europe? Is Canada/Oz an option?

I know how badly stress can affect your health, job performance and inner mental wellness :) I can only suggest the long walks, eating as healthily as possible. Lots of people are hear just listen to you with possibly no helpful suggestions, but plenty of empathy. Take care Kate.

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

I, too, am sorry to hear about your situation, Dunroving.

I'm sure you must know all about this website, but just on the off chance that you don't, have you tried looking for a new job at:

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/categories/sportsscience

I really hope you manage to find a job you like. Even if you weren't able to start a new job until next year, just knowing that you only had to stick where you are for less than a year would make a big difference, I'm sure.

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

I'm afraid that you have a problem, common to people who are intelligent thinkers. They have difficulty in making big decisions because they are always aware that they don't have sufficient input to make a logical decision.

Logic always says, you don't know the future so you can't make decisions about it. Life is different, you have to make some assumptions, even some partial decisions. I don't know your responsibilities; having a family to support makes a difference.

I made decisions based on my satisfaction. I had to decide which of three branches of engineering to work in; I picked structural, the least well paid because it was the most interesting. and then I picked the places to work for the most interesting work. But when I married and we had children, I looked for money and security. It is peculiar that that job turned out to be the most interesting of all. But the bottom dropped out of that market, and and after a protracted time out of work, I got in in one of the lesser industries, that I had bypassed.

Sorry this is about me, but I couldn't generalise the lesson. You cannot forcast the future, but if you don't make some assumptions, you will never make the decisions.

The worst decision is to decide not to make a decision; and you cannot say at this time, which is the better course, so make an assumption and plan ahead with that in mind. Don't make this too hard, award points to each branch, if they are even, flip a coin. Once the decision is made, the frogs will quieten down and you will think more clearly, give yourself a week of calm in which to allow you to change your mind. You have to move on because if you wait to hold all the facts, you won't go anywhere.

For this post, I should change my signature to "Bin there, done that."

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Insightful post. I completely agree the last period of my life has been completely frustrating and paralysing. Making a decision, any decision is empowering.

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Yes that sounds difficult - not being in control of your classes would be very stressful and a major factor I would think. BUT you are very new there...still in the comparing stage as you've just moved. Guessing that moving again very quickly would be very disorientating plus look bad on your CV.

Now what if you stepped back a bit -give yourself a bit of a breather - don't worry too much about giving perfect classes but get to know the people in your office - ask HR for some support...this may all be unhelpful but it just sounds possibly like you are reacting as a new immigrant does - panicking about what you have left behind. Give yourself a bit of time and leeway to get used to your new surroundings, it's always terribly hard work at first but maybe there are some likeminded people around there somewhere! Don't buy a house yet as it's a major stress factor.

Really hope you are able to see a way through soon.

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

I feel your pain! I moved back to the UK (after 5 years in Texas) 2 months ago after a long period of "do we / dont we," to find that I cannot get on and enjoy being back in the UK because my job is a total misery. It is causing me great stress and I cannot seem to get over it yet. I was fairly career orientated and successful in my last 5 years before the move. I am with the same company throughout but I gave up a senior and respected position in research/design and manufacture to move back to the UK working back in general operations. It's much more complicated than just finding another job for me as I have 16 years with the company and final salary pension etc. I like the company and especially the job I had back in Texas.
Sorry no solutions but you are not alone.

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Thanks for all of the support, y'all. The house-buying decision has gone right out of the window (as many of you have said, too much added stress).

I have to make my health the priority. I have not been eating or sleeping because of the worry and so have decided to get some professional help as my health has deteriorated quite rapidly. NHS is OK if you don't mind being on a 3-month waiting list for counseling and your problem can be fixed in a 5-minute doctor's appointment. I was going to take out private health insurance and salary-protection insurance when I first got here, but an independent financial advisor suggested I wait until I know what my financial situation was after taking out a mortgage. I think I have to stop listening to IFA's (sorry if that includes any of you).

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Sorry to hear about all your problems. Just a couple of quick suggestions:

Why not use the money you would have used for health insurance to pay a counsellor while you're waiting for your NHS appointment to come through?

Most IFAs are little more than sales people who want to sell you financial products. Better to be informed and make your own decisions than letting yourself be talked into something which may or may not be in your best interest. The Motley Fool (www.fool.co.uk) has a lot of useful information, as well as a very helpful Discussion Board (not just financial forums, but much else besides).

Hope you are able to relax a bit over the weekend! :)

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

[QUOTE=dunroving]
New job - drop in pay, fighting with HR (long story but one example: they are making me do a probationary period after 20 years of teaching!), QUOTE]

Sorry to say this, but, in education at least, you WILL have to have a probationary period regardless of what youve done before. Its all to do with equal opps and quality marks and organisations cant get out of them even if they are a total waste of time. Im just telling you this so that when you get another job and some of the same frustrations appear, at least if you can anticipate they will happen in advance then they will be an inconvienence rather than a huge stresser!

Sorry the jobs not what you were hoping it would be. Having read your posts, you do sound like one of those people who need a vocation rather than just a wage packet at the end of the month and therefore, you must actively seek jobs out because they are a big part of your happiness make up and what defines you i would imagine.
Take time out sick (who cares what people think if you are sick so early on in employment you are leaving as soon as anyway PLUS you are going through a huge cultural shock which is underestimated totally by those who havent dont it.) Go and look at various towns/cities that a have a Uni etc where you feel u might like to work. Be sure you think you could live in the locality. Then, if both boxes are ticked ask for an informal chat with the person from the dept you want to work for. If you still think alls ok and you can imagine you may get on with them, pop the CV into HR on your way out and follow up with a thank you etc letter. Dont wait for jobs to be advertised. Education here is so fluent..posts are often created with gov funding to employ someone so badger away!
Above all, take care of yourself. You have given good advice to others on this site before and we hope we can do the same back to you...So you really are not alone :)
best wishes
c xxx

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

[QUOTE=chance to be]Absolutely! Very good point :cool:

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

Sorry to hear all this Dunroving.... I have been off-line a few days and missed this.

First off......you just got here. It's different. You don't know anyone and damned if moving over 4000 miles and changing jobs is not waaaay stressful.

I can tell you if you are getting a house in the Caerphilly area for the price you quoted, it's probably a good investment. House prices are really skyrocketing in this area and the rental market is good as well, so if you did have to move........your risk of losing would be unlikely.

If you need someone in the area to talk too........pop into the Post Office any day or give me a PM and meet me for a drink on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon and I would be glad to let you bend my ear. I can't give much advice on the work situation, but I know the area and am a good listener and sounding board. :)

Re: Head like a box of frogs
 

[QUOTE=dunroving] Dear Dunroving. As a senior HR professional, if you want advice, please PM.