Just got off the phone with my union rep...

[eris esoteric]

The powers that be are offering me $6000 and a voluntary quit to go away.

Rep says best foreseeable outcome if I go into arbitration is probably getting my job back, but with no back-pay. And that's a 50/50 shot. I could still end up with no job.

So, what do I do? Take the bucket of money with the voluntary quit, or shoot for the maybe better, maybe worse?

Yes, I really, really do want my job back. Yes, they drove me nuts. But it's still a good job. (And I have it on good authority that there are people who want to see me back. ).

*sigh*

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

what will either outcome mean for you as far as working elsewhere in the field in the future?

[amykhar]

I don't know what to advise you. Personally, I don't think I could go back to a place that had fired me. I'd be paranoid all the time wondering who had been happy that I was canned, who was on my side and who might be trying to make me go away again.

But, not everybody is as paranoid as I. Your tolerance level may be higher.

[eris esoteric]

mjfrombuffalo said

what will either outcome mean for you as far as working elsewhere in the field in the future?

If I go with the settlement, I get a voluntary quit... basically, I get to say my parting with the university was amicable, and will get a "neutral reference" from them. This is good.

However, the pay at this job is REALLY good. Last time I checked, I was making $5.00 an hour over what anyone else in the field was making locally.

[eris esoteric]

amykhar said

I don't know what to advise you. Personally, I don't think I could go back to a place that had fired me. I'd be paranoid all the time wondering who had been happy that I was canned, who was on my side and who might be trying to make me go away again.

But, not everybody is as paranoid as I. Your tolerance level may be higher.

Color me oblivious. I know who's got my back on this, and couldn't care less about the opinions of those who maybe do, maybe don't.

[lynnzop[$]]

I'm kind of with Amy on this one...but are the people who gave you so much grief still there? If they aren't, maybe I'd go back.

I'd be so leary of arbitration that is a "maybe I'll get my job back" though...I guess if it were me, I'd take the money and run. But that might not be best for you.

[amykhar]

Are there other jobs like this one in your area?

I guess the thing only you could know is how strong the case for firing you was. If you know in your heart that you did what they fired you for and that they can prove you did it and that they dotted their i's and crossed their t's, I guess I would take the money and run.

But, if you didn't do it, it shouldn't have been a firing offense, or they didn't follow procedure, it might be worth the gamble. Especially if there aren't many openings in this field around. The problem with the amicable quit is that you're going to have to come up with some excuse on job interviews for why you have been out of the field for so long and working at a quickie mart.

Dunno. I think you should go with your heart on this one.

[eris esoteric]

See, here's the thing about the people who gave me grief...

The supervisor who "reported" me, wasn't actually trying to get me in trouble. What she was TRYING to do was let human resources know that I was getting really stressed out, to maybe put some pressure on *my* supervisor (the comptroller) to give me a break. She reportedly spent several weeks in a complete stupor because of the shock of what trying to help me did to me.

The human resources person, who is, well, human resources, and therefore someone to be smiled at often, but not truly trusted, reported the statement I made to her superiors because she was required to. At some point between when the Virginia Tech shootings took place and the day I decided to be a crab to everyone in sight, the various human resources folks were all told that, as part of their jobs, they HAD to report anything even remotely threat-like, and that anything even remotely threat-like was cause for instant zero-tolerance termination. (They have apparently decided to start informing the university employees about this new policy, which is nice, if a little late to help me out).

As far as the comptroller? Well, I've had inside information that she's really been suffering as a direct result of the poor hiring decision she made that got me fed up and fired in the first place. So yeah, it was MY mouth that got me in trouble (who here is REALLY suprised?) but I think the whole debacle can pretty firmly be laid on her lap... and as I said, she's been paying. In spades.

So, honestly, what others think of me isn't a concern.

[eris esoteric]

amykhar said

The problem with the amicable quit is that you're going to have to come up with some excuse on job interviews for why you have been out of the field for so long and working at a quickie mart.

Do you really think I'd even bother to lie?

I mean, this is ME we're talking about.

OK, so if I'm going to another hotel, I probably will. But hotels are based and founded on lies, so they pretty much expect you to be able to lie and get away with it in the interview process anyway. The LAST thing anyone wants is an honest hotel clerk.

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

I would leave the issue of the extra $5 an hour aside (although I know it is not totally something to ignore). My concern is more around what your potential is for moving ahead within the current company (which I am leary about, given what happened, even though it happened sort of accidentally). I look big picture and further down the road - what will your decision today likely mean for your career and how well you can meet your career goals 5-10 years from now? If you go back to this job and don't move ahead, then in 4 years decide to look around, there will be questions regarding why your current job didn't move you forward, for example. I guess the short-term/income things are definitely important, but it might be worth the gamble to take a job for a little less for a bigger payoff later (I've done that a few times) if it will get you where you want to go. I would recommend you look at both the short- and long-term implications of this decision.

[Magick1]

I don't have any advise other than good luck. Either way, it's a huge decision, I'd hate to be in your shoes.

But, all things aside, normally when people change jobs, it's for the better in the long run even if the pay isn't up there initially.

[theworm[$]]

I'm sorry its come to this and you have to make a tough decision.
I can't advise you. I don't really know what I'd do.
How much do you NEED the $6000? Will you be badly hurt if you don't get it?
The fact that they offered anything says something.

[drmomentum[$]]

Can you take the 6K and fill out a job application? :P

[jgibson2[$]]

I like JP's idea -- and ask for MORE than $5 more than the going rate. If they need you, they need you.

[frazzledspice]

One good thing about the global economy and the new job market is that people are losing their jobs all the time without good reason, so that losing a job doesn't have the stigma it once did. Losing a job doesn't mean your incompetent--it just means you're living, breathing, and unlucky.

What does the arbitrater think is best for you? Does (s)he think this is the best deal you can get? What's the job market like in your field? Are you learning things there that will help you make a better jump in the future? There are so many factors, and since I'm kind of jumping in on the last chapter, I won't offer any advice--just wishes for good things to happen to you, career-wise.

[eris esoteric]

The nice thing about working in the hospitality business is that the people working in the business move around almost as much as the clientele does. So getting back into the field locally isn't going to be much of an issue. Working night audit gives me even more of an edge... it's a niche in a niche market. Working at one hotel for five years straight will make me unusual in the market. Leaving the hotel, working somewhere else briefly, and going to work at another hotel is business as usual.

Of course, there is a trend toward day audit, as opposed to night audit, but as I usually don't want to use these posts as an insomnia aid, I won't go into the pros and cons of each here. Let's just leave it at "I may have to go to days to work in my field" and leave it at that.

ANYWAY, that all said, I talked to my rep again, after asking him to fish for more money. The offer has been upped to $9000, and he's moved to actively urging me to take it.

So I am. And I'm going to start calling hotels this morning.

Yes, I asked about working for the university again, as part of the deal, I am agreeing not to seek or accept employment there in the future. Which does close a door. But the door's already been closed, or as good as.

So... it's all fucking over. Thank god, and ALL her furry little critters.

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

Good for you! You deserve a better position with people who listen to you and use your knowledge and willingness to train others instead of throwing obstacles in your path and saddling you with useless lumps .

[eris esoteric]

Uh... right...

I *did* mention I was thinking about going back into hospitality, right?

[thinkerlady[$]]

I agree with MJ. I am glad you are out of there, and will hopefully get something better. And if you get it soon, then all this money can be MAD money, to be well spent of course.

[hadassahchana[$]]

I missed this earlier! I'm so glad you took the money- and that they increased it. Good for you.

Now- hurry up and find another hospitality job? I LOVE your stories, I need a good laugh.

And another thing - I've really missed you. I hope you're back for good.

[mtomm[$]]

Thrilled you'll be moving on and will be glad when you are back with us again on a more permanent basis.