A year ago tomorrow I lost a fabulous job.
(My job title changed over the years but the job description stayed the same... Warfighter response cell operator)
We were only contracted for 3 months of the year, and we were sacked and retrained every year to avoid having to advance us through the civil service.
I was one of the top operators until they closed the positions to rehire everyone at a more appropriate wage. The day before my reemployment interview my god daughter was murdered by her ex.
I froze during the interview, partly because they gave a school leavers public service entry interview to someone who'd been in the job 12 years.
The explicit instructions given by the army (who are partly exempt) led me to answer questions " in a way not compliant with public service principles"
I had no recourse or appeal since my old position no longer existed.
My Defence skillset is not very transferable. I was originally trained as an electronics/communications tech, I'm a remote pilot with an explosives ticket and figured I'd see if I could make drones for Ukraine... But new legislation means I have to wait 5 or 10 years before working for a foreign organisation, or apply to the minister for a foreign work authority.
There is a slim chance I'll get another crack at my old job, and I live in hope, but the last year has been a nightmare. I lost my 3 closest friends and my sister in law, my longarm licence and my pyro ticket. Post serotonin toxicity induced suicidality my brain isn't sharp enough to do the job like I used to, but I might recover .
Or I can retire and travel with my partner.
27 Jul 2024, 7:27 am
