The council I had worked for for over 20 years was going through a series of very severe cuts, requiring a reduction of around 20% of the workforce. I'd reached my 50th birthday the year before and after 31st March, the government would enforce new rules about early retirement, lifting the age when a pension could be received to 55. I had to decide whether I felt secure enough to find a post in the new structure - and to fight for that place against many other friends and colleagues - or to take whatever was on offer and run before 31st March.
The very first time I used a cash point, I took the money out and ran away before anyone could take it off me. There was never very much doubt that I would go but it was actually a huge decision. Three children, a house to sell, no job...facing a blank canvas can be daunting to say the least. However, FR and I agreed it was an opportunity and one we should embrace fully.
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| (Marion and Diane and I had lunch the following week...!) |
I wouldn't have known the date except I was tidying up a bookshelf, preparing to pack all our belongings into boxes once again as we prepare to move into the house we came here to find - and found this old diary, with its quiet little entry. I hadn't had a paper diary for years but fell in love with these Dodo Diaries at Christmas and bought myself one.
It's rather lovely to have a tangible record of the year that 'Moving On' began. Though evidence of the amount of clutter we manage to hang on to in our family....sigh, moving on is always hard work!
What a tremendous discovery...the evidence of your rapid, no nonsense decision making process. No weeks of deliberations....just figures one day, acceptance the next. I sometimes think I should have waited for the restructuring...and possibly benefitted from the "clear out" ...but I actually left 2 years before you....but I know I would not have survived that 2 years without starting to hate my job, and becoming the most cynical local authority employee north of Watford. Leaving...was the best thing I ever did. I am pretty sure you feel the same way...and can look back and smile about your time there, knowing you left when you were still valued.
ReplyDeleteI trust you rearranged your lunch with Diane and Marian...hopefully in time to celebrate the anniversary the birth of Epicurus. Jxxx
I actually put in for my figures on 8th February, Janice, so I had two weeks of deliberation even though I didn't know if my figures would be adequate to 'retire' on. They weren't, actually, but we felt the risk of staying was greater than that of leaving. Those two weeks were actually great fun - building castles in the sky and seeing a huge vista of opportunity ahead of us. It's not quite as we thought but luckily, it's probably even better!
DeleteI know things had taken a downward turn for you before then and it's great to know that leaving was the best thing you did - it was clear from your face that day I met you in the Kingsgate car park! I have some very happy memories of my time with the council but it was probably the right time to go...
You have very good eyesight! Missed poor Epicurus' birthday completely!
Axxx
Happy anniversary, Annie! How nice to have a souvenir of your big and life-changing decision. Thirteen years before you I made the same choice at the same age and have never regretted it for a minute. Even back then my pension was frozen until age 55, which meant it lost value over that period, but actually having it and being able to do other things (including a new career for 6 years) was still one of the best things that has even happened to me.
ReplyDeleteI feel so sorry for my children's generation, for whom the prospect of early retirement has almost vanished and who face working until their late 60s before they can draw a pension. We are the lucky ones.
I struggle to think of myself of anything more than 35 to be honest, Perpetua, so the idea that I draw a pension, early or not, is quite bizarre. But you are quite right - it's a shame that the future doesn't look quite so welcoming for the next generation. I hope by the time my own children reach 50, there will be something better to look forward to.
DeleteThat said, we are lucky in that early retirement has opened up new doors for us. I never wanted to teach but I am really enjoying it and hope I can keep doing it for quite some years to come!
Axxx
I'll let you into a secret, Annie. Inside I think we're all 35, whatever the mirror or calendar tell us. :-)
Delete35 was good, wasn't it!! Axx
DeleteHow lovely to come across that journal entry when making yet another beginning.
ReplyDeleteBut how upsetting it is to have to realise that local government service, from being something felt to be worthwhile if not well paid became a minefield of office politics in a context of unjustifiable cuts....and that local government, like the NHS, now follows the corrupt model of post Thatcher private enterprise.
It was a most exciting and timely moment, Helen!
DeleteI was lucky to work for the council at a time when everything felt very positive and we worked hard to give the people of the area the very best services and support. I was proud to say I worked there but there was a huge sea change going on, visible in the change of senior managers, and I'm so glad I got out when I did.
I had previously worked for the NHS and have really hated to see where it's gone over the past 25 years of so. Horrible, utterly vile and, as you say, a must corrupt model that is quite beyond comprehension. Mine, anyway.
Axxx
You did the right thing to leave without regret and to move on with hope to a new adventure.
ReplyDeleteTim had worked as an LEA adviser and OFSTED inspector for 20 years but one day, out of the blue, was made an offer he couldn't refuse working for a software company he had previously done consultancy for. We agonised for a couple of weeks but even then (7 years ago) the writing was on the wall for LEA support. With the coalition government it became written in blood and now LEAs are but a shadow! Had he still been there he would have been offered a 'package' but even though things are less secure where he is he has travelled the world, still works with schools and universities, the salary is much better AND he gets a bonus. Unheard of in education! Although in their wisdom the Government are bringing back a form of 'payment by results'.
Keep going from strength to strength. You've made the most of the opportunity that came your way.
Our children won't have retirement and life after retirement in the way that we've come to expect it. They will be working until they 'drop', so my advice to them is to live your life to the full as if each day is your last and not wait for retirement to do those things you've always wanted to do.
Thank you Gaynor, these are real words of advice and wisdom. I'm not one for regret and whilst I do have times when I am down, I am by nature an optimist and forward-motion person.
DeleteI'm glad things have worked out so well for Tim - he has certainly had a lot of opportunities to do new things since he left the LEA - (and still be there to capture those all important photos when you need them!)
Being here in Spain, the future of my children is the one thing that is much less clear than it seemed to be in the UK - and the world has changed quite a bit too in the last decade. They are quite independent beings and I suspect that at least one of them may (have to!) consider self-employment, but this too could be a good thing.
Our plan now is to establish a place they can always feel is home, that has the space and potential to develop should they need it.
Thanks again, a much appreciated comment.
Axxx
Maybe Annie for youngsters today there will be job opportunities out there that we would not envisage at this moment in time.Through fb i have tracked a fair few ex pupils and am delighted with the job titles and success they have now.
ReplyDeletex M
Yes, Maria, I think the world is changing too quickly for us to be clear about what is round the corner. However, I seriously hope my children don't become dealers on the stock exchange or hedge fund managers....Good to hear that your ex pupils are doing well. Axxx
DeleteNot only do we share a name, we seem to be the same vintage too. I only felt able to chuck in the salary when my daughter had left school so I have great respect for you doing so when your kids are younger (I'm a coward). However, thank goodness I got around to it eventually.
ReplyDeleteAh, greater sense of responsibility, perhaps... but Annie, my husband's family are here in Spain and if all had not gone smoothly, we had at least somewhere safe to live with a variety of options available to us in that part of Spain.
DeleteI did briefly look for another job in my home town, as we had only a small mortgage and could have managed to stay where we were for a bit longer, but we all wanted to move to Spain - in fact, I was surprised how readily the children took to the idea.
I think we're from a very good vintage, don't you? Don't think I'd like to swap for another era.
Axxx
Great to find that diary and a reminder of why you made the decision to move on. My decision to move here came about for a variety of reasons...one of the main ones being my career in mental health was burning me out, so it was a relief to get out.
ReplyDeleteI have been lucky in how things fell for me, Ayak. I was still enjoying my job, left before things became difficult for me, left with many good friends with whom I'm still in touch and have been able to start a completely new life in Spain, with just about enough energy to cope! I was so pleased to find that diary - sometimes it's good to write on paper too, though having a blog is without doubt the best thing I've done 'just for me'! I can imagine you gave a lot to your career. There comes the time when you have to put yourself first. Axxx
DeleteOne adventure follows another! Good luck in the new house Annie x
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely the best way, in my opinion, Annie - bring on the new house adventure!! Thank you, Axxx
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