” This week: a missing HR department, comparing fun and flexibility and feeling obsolete in your late-forties.The large company I work for does not have an HR manager. Instead, staff in all departments are advised to speak to their direct managers if they encounter any issues. These managers are not HR trained, do not keep anything confidential and are often the source of the issue. It means most staff members feel unable to speak up and don’t have any support in the workplace.
There is no legal requirement to have an HR manager. However, there is a legal requirement to make sure a whole range of functions an HR team does are being done. I would hazard a guess your direct managers are unaware of what the company whistleblower policy might be , how someone reports a workplace health and safety hazard, or how you can access EAP support if needed.
I love my colleagues, and have an outstanding work-life balance. Problem is, I’m not being challenged and haven’t been promoted or been given a raise more than CPI since I started more than three years ago. I have received an offer for a new position, which is much more interesting, but I’m worried about the flexibility I might lose. What should I do?
Before you do anything, speak to your current boss. Tell them you are not feeling challenged and be open about what you are looking for to make your role interesting. Let them know the direction you want to head in with your career and see if they can support you in that. Being challenged is important, but so too is finding a workplace that supports you in other ways. Hopefully, with support from your boss, you can find a way to make it all work for you without having to lose anything at all.
I’ve recently been made redundant from a job I’ve loved for 12 years. I’m now 47, and while I know employers can’t openly discriminate on age, the reality is, I know it’s going to be an uphill battle to get hired over some hip, young 20-something who can do the job for half the salary. My previous employer was a small business, so the only payout I received was my unused leave, which will be gone in a couple of months. I don’t know what to do.