Offered relo to Columbia, MO. Not really interested in moving since I'm in a prime tech spot and have an emergency fund. Is it worth the disruption in life to keep getting a paycheck doing a job that's a grind? There's gotta be a job outside IBM, right?
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I don't know about you guys, but things may not go back to the way they were. A vaccine may be out early next year, but I highly doubt companies will hire back (and more) the numbers of employees they let go. II only have 6 weeks left with IBM and it is onto severance to use to help pay some bills and also government Covid-19 help funds in my country. And then, EI for a few months. Hopefully I can market myself properly to be hired by another company quickly.
100% take the job in MO - get an apartment or room, hope to be able to work remote. I would NOT quit in this job market without something in writing. Spend all free time trying to find a job you'd like back home and hope that comes about in the next 3-6 months. You don't want to burn your emergency fund for this unless there is absolutely no way you can stand being away from home for a while.
Speaking as someone that took over a year to find something and was unemployed during that time - but I am older which was the primary reason. I never imagined how long it took and wish I had done things a bit differently.
I would never move or relocate for IBM or for any company for that matter. Its employment at will. You have a good chance of being RA'd, so why disrupt your life ? I had Honeywell demand I move to Atlanta, I kept putting them off for a year, and refusing. Then 6 months later I was let go, but at least in my house and found a new job in 1 month. I just would NEVER trust any company. Odds are , you will be RA'd shortly after relocating.
Think a lot will depend on the manager you get assigned too. If they are decent they may work with you. If they are like some of the managers I've had they will be d*cks about it and make you be there on 9/28 and be there 5 days a week. I am not selling my house, would just be there for how ever long I need to be to find something else inside the company or hopefully a better place outside. I figure I with the relocation money that would pay for an apartment for 6-9 months. I would gladly pay back any that's required if something else works out before the year. Small price to pay.
Negotiate 1 yr delay for relocation. Accept relocation offer. Use 1 year time frame to find another job.
No one is currently working at IBM Columbia, MO office, they all remote but I have no information if office will remain close a few more months after Sept.
If anyone working in IBM Columbia, MO and/or has some info on reopening there, please share.
Take the offer and keep your current job and salary for a few months, and prepare. Look for other jobs and options. September is a long way off - Columbia or the whole USA may be in flames or locked down again by then. When September rolls around maybe IBM or the law says don't move yet, maybe you quit, maybe you don't relocate, maybe you tell them you need more time. Maybe there's a class action about force relocation. Either way maybe you are ahead if it buys you more than 1+3 - maybe the extra year of health insurance isn't worth it for you.
Columbia, MO is not working from the office right now. Why on earth would you move?
I have heard many people take the relo and then are RA'ed shortly after. I would not move entire family. It sounds like you have a good plan, it may be worth while under current situation. Don't expect IBM to live up to any promises unless it's written down.
I am still struggling with the Missouri option. Job market outside is not looking good. Thinking it will buy me 3-6 months. I am wondering if we will be able to move to another job or are we locked in for a year or more. I know their goal is to staff the center. But for how long? If you read the package we have to change our address in Workday to show Missouri. I was thinking I would just get a PO box and maybe find someone with a room to rent. I too have lots of vacation to use up. Will save it now to use in 4Q so I can be home for extended periods/holidays, etc. I am frustrated that I have no idea what I will be doing. Makes things doubly hard. I know a lot of people would like to have this problem. A job is a job in this current environment. Just thinking about moving though even temporarily during a pandemic makes me ill. If I will be able to do this new job for 3 months from my home office, why not longer? Right now I really am leaning towards taking the offer and seeing what happens. Best of luck to everyone.
OP - a few things stand out in your post: you have an emergency fund; you describe your job as a grind.
Why relocate for a job that's a grind, at a place that might RA you in the next round?
IMHO, it sounds like the only thing you should be moving are your skills to another company. Good luck.
I live in a prime tech area. After I got RA notification I analyzed the market for a couple of weeks but didn't find anything good other than a few short-term contracts. The Covid has impacted the business and crisis is not over yet. three months lumpsum looks attractive but, in my opinion, will not last long if I don't find a job soon. therefore given the situation, I decided to take the relocation option. Hopefully, it will buy me 3-6 months to find a decent stable job.
I'm planning to make a temporary setup in Columbia by end of Sept (relocation deadline) and will try all possible ways (vacation time, corona excuses etc) to minimize my stay in Columbia, MO and stay remote from my current location.
What do you think? Please also share if anyone know better ways to avoid the stay in MO?
follow ur heart - if you hate the job, screw it, jet
If you see this job as a grind and have an emergency fund do not do it.
Depending on your skillset, you may be able to find something quickly.
My only fear is that the economy continues to sputter in which case we'll all have problems finding jobs.
It's IBM. By moving you will be buying about a year's, maybe two year's time before they RA you anyway.