Wednesday 8 July 2009

Sometimes I Do Despair



So frustrated, I realise this is nothing to do with gardens but sometimes we just need to vent.

I recently moved teams at work (and really need my job re-grading but that’s a whole other rant) and have been working towards taking a masters, my line manager said it would be ok to have a day’s leave a week i.e. reduce my hours and do the MSc on a part time basis.

So I’ve been to see the head of postgrad studies, course leaders and so forth, been accepted onto the course. Then we can have our fees paid for by the University and apply for it internally… Again I only need my line manager’s signature only this part is actually a farce and what they really mean is that I need everyone and their brother’s signature!

Our Team manager (the one above my line manager) agrees I can take the course then I go to the next level.

Well this was refused.

All that work for nothing, you would think my immediate manager and the one above would have a pretty good idea whether it would be possible.

Well, I can’t say it’s a shock but upsetting non-the-less and I would actually rather take the MSc full time and get it finished in a year, but I will need to get a bursary which gives living costs and pays the fees but I want to save up too, in case I don’t get the bursary! So it’ll still be two years before I can graduate. I’m also worried about not having a job because graduating is no guarantee I’ll walk into something – from bitter experience when I finished my Ba(hons).

I do have work experience hopefully in the pipeline so I will at least have experience of the area and therefore be more likely to get something.

A scary prospect though and I’m torn. But it does mean I’ll be leaving sooner than I had planned – no real loss to me and I’m sure they won’t really care either. You know how it is, us plebes are worthless *rolls eyes*

So I’m applying for higher grade jobs now (since I’ll never be re-graded and won’t even waste my time attempting) because it’ll mean I can save up that little bit extra.


And now, moving on from that rant, tonight during my slug hunt I discovered something extremely exciting! I just need to wait for the nice weather to return so I can get some cryptic photos! :)

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Sorry you had such a bad day, but perhaps now the weather is improving again, you'll get back out in the garden! Great blog and lovely pictures. Charlotte

Val said...

Oh Liz life can be so frustrating can't it! My daughter's partner is signed up to do an electrician's course but he needs proof of receiving benefits which the tax office say they have sent but if necessary will give a verbal confirmation. The college won't accept this and won't wait for the documents to arrive, as it isn't in their remit. Without this no place unless full fees paid which they can't afford. Need I go on! Life is just so hard. You have my sympathies. Val

Emma said...

poor Liz, what a bummer, gotta do what's best for you and keep taking your great photos!! chin up mate! x

Cheryl said...

Hi Liz....Well what can I say....so sorry....having had three nieces and friends children going through similar, I can imagine how you must be feeling.....

I am intrigued to know what is in your garden!!!!

Please email me cheryl@iconism.net
and I will send you the ragged robin seeds......

Chin up......

Liz said...

Charlotte - Thanks for the compliments it's much appreciated :)

Liz said...

Val - I'm certain many people are in the same situation as your daughter's partner!

These things like to 'go missing' and sometimes I do wonder just exactly what happens to them. When I was at uni I lost count of the number of times we had to send in our tax forms to the council and yet they still charged us, it was a joke! I wrote a rather fruity covering letter to the last one I sent just as I was moving out - no idea if they're still attempting to charge me now!!!

Liz said...

Emma - I do have more options and I will get there so it isn't a major deal and I was expecting it to be denied - lovely manager they are!

Liz said...

Cheryl - I have a few options to consider but the main worry is money. At the moment I can get them paid for me but if I were to leave work obviously that's a further 4k I have to save up just for the fees. So everything does really depend on me getting the bursary next summer.

I will get there, I have to. I'm going crazy and looking at colleagues that have worked here for the past 20 years makes me even more determined.

The Quacks of Life said...

as a manager i do find the beauocracy (sp?) of certain bodies frustrating. I'm a pragmatist and have been known to ignore certain rules. e.g staff are only meant to take one days flex a month but i ignore that if my team have put the effort in to get something in. I just don't mention it to my management.

hope it works out

Liz said...

Thanks Pete - I think this is the problem here, our 'team' manager goes by the book, and then the manager above her is, well... I'll let you use your imagination!

I'm exploring the possibility of doing just one or two modules next year so I'm only out of the office for a couple of hours a week.

I got an unconditional offer email for my place on the course yesterday. Upsetting, but there's still hope yet and at the worst I'll have to defer for a year.