a long pointless work related post

[janiejones]

I just need to put this somewhere.


Last year, before I went on leave I was offered a FT job with benefits/pension at the company I started working for in June. Amazing.... except the president wouldn't put the final sign-off on my offer because he's a prick and would rather break the law. (Discrimination based on family status).  He basically said that because they were about to lay off a ton of people he couldn't put me on the books as an employee while I was out on leave, because i probably wouldn't come back anyway.
This instigated some serious tension within the HR department, but the job was promised to me for January 2014 anyway, I just wouldn't earn pension/benefits during the year.

While I worked there, my direct boss "Rachel" was on a medical leave.  She came back about 2 months before I left on a PT schedule.  The person covering for her and I were very close, and that person "Sarah" left to work for another company before Rachel came back. 

The Director of HR spoke with me on my last day and explained how upset he was about how the company handled things for me.  He joked that he didn't want to hear that I ended up working for Sarah at her new company, which he qualified by saying that he knew she and I worked so well together, and he would kick himself if that were to happen. (He and Sarah are also friendly).

Rachel really wasn't happy at the company and she also mentioned that if I didn't "get" to come back, she would quit so I could have her job.  I noticed a couple weeks ago Rachel upgraded her LinkedIn account.  (We all read too far into these things, right?)

The company has laid off 250 people this year (in two swings) and more were expected this month.

Last night Sarah posts on FB saying she's looking for someone at her new company.  I obviously messaged her and this morning got a reply that it would be working for her directly.  She told me to send my resume/cover letter.

Within 2 hours the director of HR for my job called me.  My voicemail is full so he had someone email me to have me call him back.  He was out when I called half an hour ago.

So now I'm wondering what is up.
Did Sarah tell him I've talked to her about her job opening?
Did he find out otherwise about her job and wants to secure me first?
Did Rachel quit? 
Do they need my help answering a question or locating a specific document?
Was he wondering the name of XYZ restaurant that I recommended?



____

Literally after I typed this he called.  They "may" have a big contract coming in and will need HR help, not where I was, but in recruitment and other things.  He wanted to check with me directly because I was on their minds.
But no details.  And he wanted to see what my plans are (confirming my intentions to work/not work?)

Gah.
I told him I hadn't yet lined up baby care, but my plan is to work in January, and that I wasn't sure where they were because of all the changes over the year.  He agreed that it's been a clusterfuck, but this is a big new project.
Then he went on to talk about one of the restaurants I recommended and how much he loved it.  End of call.



I legit think they know Sarah is hiring and are worried i'll work for her.  But I can't count on them at this point.
Blargh.  All of this is happening a few months before I was planning on going back to work.... I don't even know what to do.  I mean, I want to follow up with Sarah about this job, but it will mean nearly an hour commute each direction.  And I don't have daycare, so even if I got the job in the next few weeks I'm not sure how that would work.

Too much to think about.  I need to go buy deli meats for MrJJ's boat trip.

[Deleted]

I would go with something that is a sure thing over something that is a maybe... but that is me. The current company sounds unorganized and what you said about president not siging something bc of discrimatory reasons (your family status) gives me reason to believe they are not no the up and up. I wouldn't take that shit if they discriminated against me. Game over

[noodleoo]

At this point you have a lot of maybe's but no sure things lined up. I'd try not to stress about it too much and wait and see how both opportunities play out. Keep your options open at both places. You might be lucky enough to have the luxury of choosing where you want to be based on who gives you the best offer! Good luck!