Much rejoicing at Hedges Towers this week: BH has finally been offered a job. As some of you know, his contract was terminated at his previous place of employment at the end of November as he was ''too expensive''. Subtext: too old and too expensive.
Even though he has turned his hand to a variety of jobs since graduating from the Royal College of Music with a degree that fitted him for nothing other than singing for his supper, Bh has never been out of work. Various incarnations have involved a barman, a tax collector (mentioned before the sinners in the Bible - just saying) and driving for Smiths crisps, where he was offered refreshment at every pub on the route and caused some damage in carparks as a result.
And now, suddenly, age 63, he couldn't find work.
And the lack of employment went on. And on. Every day, the inbox filled up with shedloads of prospective jobs. Every day he put in for shedloads of jobs. And nobody responded. It appears that courtesy lies bleeding in some dark corner. I was reminded of the number of blogs written by despairing writers who couldn't get an agent/publisher to reply to them.
And the pain went on. And on. Other career paths were briefly considered: bus driving, working at B&Q - though as BH's DIY skills run to 'avoid at all costs', I'm not sure how much of an asset he'd be. And then five months later, a breakthrough and a job offer. He starts after the May Bank Holiday.
The inbox is now empty. Jobsearch Alert and its various incarnations have been kicked into the long grass. But the time has not been wasted. BH has been able to help me look after Little G, and they have built a lovely relationship on the back of it. He has re-edited all my Victorian books, and formatted and uploaded the YA one. He has now copy-edited the new book Murder & Mayhem. He has proofread a book for a friend. Skills he can use in the coming years when he leaves this job.
Most of all we have had a short pre-retirement run and discovered that on the whole, we can live reasonably amicably with each other. Free bus passes helped. So, ex malo bonum, as St Augustine wrote. Not sure what his employment record was ...
This is great news - bloody employers who can't even even be bothered to reply. It's rude - but it's also treating honest people looking for work as if they are invisible. But it's behind you - I hope you both enjoy the Bank Holiday, and then it's back into a routine! But a good one.
ReplyDeletewe hope so. The discourtesy has been a shock though.
DeleteYou get laid off for every crap you can imagine these days. in my last job, I was laid off (=contract not extended, contract was weekly. Fun to live with) and replaced by a guy who has NONE of the required qualities mentioned during the recruitment and job interview process. But he was a member of the union and couldn't do his 'old' job any more, medical reasons, not yet 30. Congrats to BH. Either luck or perseverance. Who cares in the end it's the result that counts.
ReplyDeleteWe had this...his contract we extended on a monthly basis for NINE YEARS! Says something for the esteem he was held in. Then a new young manager took over and clearly wanted all the oldies out...so one by one they were replaced with youngsters, who knew nothing but were not a threat. BH was the last to go. Ironically, he was about to launch a big project, about which his replacement knew nothing.
DeleteGood luck to him. I hope he enjoys the new job.
ReplyDeleteHe won't enjoy the commuting into London, but it will be good to start a new programme.
DeleteHuge congratulations for a huge relief. Yes, That bit about employers not responding...so disheartening!
ReplyDeleteEven the 'Civil Service' who didn't have the courtesy to tell him he'd failed an interview and offer feedback.
DeleteGreat news and humongous congratulations to your beloved!!......*whispers* congrats to you too, Hedges......you get the computer back!! *air punches* <>
ReplyDeleteI do!!
DeleteI'm SO pleased to hear this, Carol and BH! Really am. btw, when I first moved to 'up here' I had a similar experience. I'd had my last job since I was 45 (a much more employable age). Then, at 50, I spent a year applying for jobs, sometimes a couple a week. I got but a handful of replies and not so much as a sniff of an interview. I know it's partly because the job situation up here is so crap, though.
ReplyDeleteIn theory it is great down here...the inbox filled up day after day with recruiters...but even though you don't put your actual age on a CV, from his experience, it was easy for employers to work out how oldish he was.
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