Employment Situation-Would Appreciate Advice

[Scepticalscribe]

Alright, another update-

First of all, I am still at my current employer.

Apparently HR didn't "have a position" that matched up to what was requested, so they just decided to stick me in some other position that already existed and throw me a small bone on a pay increase...evidently it was thought that would shut me up rather than what it actually did-make me incredibly pissed off.

As it currently stands, I am doing roughly 95% of the work of one previous employee and about 75% of another, and for that combined am being paid 3/4 of what the lower paid of those two employees. When I ask how this can objectively be considered reasonable, I get blank stares and hemming and hawing.

Furthermore, we lost another employee in my department(moved to a different department) and we are expected to "absorb" losing him rather than replacing him. Although I'm not directly performing any of the duties which he previously performed, the resulting re-shuffle has left me with even more work.

I am an FLSA non-exempt employee, which means that I am eligible to receive overtime pay. The simple fact is that I can't get all that I'm expected to do finished in a 37.5 hour work week. I've regularly been working 45-50 hours, which does mean better pay but also means that I feel like I don't have any life during the week. I'm also under constant scrutiny to justify WHY I have to work the hours I do.

Even worse, the person with whom I work most closely has lately decided to take frequent extended vacations-a week or better at a time. I'm told that I just have to "deal with it" but have to virtually beg if-for the sake of my sanity-I ask to take an afternoon off or even need to schedule something like doctor's appointment.

In short, despite the fact that I still love what I do, my work environment has become nothing short of toxic in my view. The department chair is doing all that he can and I truly feel like he is on my side, but at the same time his hands are tied by higher level administration.

On a positive front, though, I have been invited to interview for a position similar to my current one at a university in Arkansas. To be honest, I'm flattered by being invited-in academia, the type of interview visit I'm receiving(all expense paid, two full days) is customarily reserved for faculty and not for staff. So, I will be going-the fact that they're willing to spend several hundred dollars on me to visit the campus makes me feel good about how they see me as a candidate for the job.

IF I'm given an offer for that particular job, it would certainly be a tough decision as it would be a big move. Still, if it results both in the pay and the professional respect I was promised for my current position, I will certainly entertain it.

I'm also continuing to watch for and apply for local positions.

The advice I gave you in my earlier post still stands.

I spent the best part of two decades in academia, and I know exactly what you are gong through. I've been in a horribly similar situation myself. The old "fine words butter no parsnips" - I had many fine words and many unbuttered parsnips in the first university where I worked (and yes, I was blissfully happy there for a while, and lingered too long).

What you need to understand - and this is not easy - is that you will never be perceived in the institution where you currently work as worth more than what they are currently paying you; never.

And, as they can pay you what they are currently paying you, with whatever title you currently carry, this is what will continue, albeit with occasional tweaks, and crumbs tossed in your direction.

Hence the "hemming and hawing". And - in truth - while the Department Chair may well be 'on your side', and quite sympathetic to your concerns - trust me, he is not going to expend too much capital fighting your battles in academic committee rooms or exerting himself on your behalf.

The very best you can hope for from him is to secure an outstanding reference - and make sure you get that - for when you depart.

If the atmosphere is 'toxic', it is unlikely to improve.

My advice - for what it is worth - is to sever the ties that bind you to wherever you are currently employed - and - rather than "entertain" the offer of better positions elsewhere, seize them and accept them and embark upon a fresh start.

 

[lowendlinux]

While Kentucky to Arkansas is a pretty big move a little change in scenery might be just what you need regardless of pay.