Sometimes, when something’s really bothering me I’ll get up in the night and write a letter, to whomsoever it may concern. This usually means a series of versions being written out in neater and neater script, maybe in a more tactful way each time, and eventually I will feel better and even, on occasion, I’ll go back to bed for a few more hours kip.
The resultant letter then needs to sit a while unread. Once I read it again I usually see that this format will not do and I re-write it, or scrub it entirely, or ring the person involved and try to resolve the problem.
The latest missive lies to my right, hidden inside a W.H.Smith Premium Narrow Ruled A4 refill pad. It is not appropriate to send it, but it has served its purpose, in that it helped to clarify a few ideas and thoughts, plus it has given a little time between event and reaction. It was to my sister and after a telephone call yesterday I can tell she is not in the right place to address what I feel needs addressing, so it will have to bide more time.
In the days of instant messaging through texts, facebook, email and blogs I wonder how often things are said on the spur of the moment, always to be regretted? I have fought to resist this instant response, and fairly recently I wrote an email and put it into draft format for 24 hours before reviewing. This letter did get sent, in the reviewed form: it was to a senior manager who I felt had acted impolitely and had made me feel undervalued. It needed to be said: but it needed to be said in a polite adult way.
This morning I have received a letter and I am fighting quite hard with myself to resist the instant reaction.
In this letter I have been told my contract will be ended at the end of March, but that I have an option to be considered for employment by the new trust that is taking over the current one.
And Happy New Year to you too, Mr NHS.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Written on 31st. Rather stopped me getting on and finishing my story for the competition. Sorry!
Good evening Pseu
I too find that there is a time for immediate reaction and a time for a considered approach.
I often talk this heavy stuff over with my wife, always good to have a sounding board.
Good luck whichever you choose.
You are absolutely right, Nym.
Take some time to formulate a response in this instance.
I’m really sorry to hear about this, but I hope it works out for you.
Thanks, Soutie. I know a couple of others are in a similar situation and I have arranged a meeting for Tuesday with a line manager, so maybe I’ll have a clearer picture after that.
I feel better about it than I did on Friday. Time gives perspective. I know I’m appreciated by the teams, and this isn’t personal, which helps
So this is a response to your letter to the senior manager? I don’t understand all the circumstances, but hope you will be employed by the new trust. Try not to worry. It is obviously quite shocking for you and especially bad timing, but you do have marketable skills if this doesn’t work out. Good luck, Nym.
No, Bilby, separate issues. My previous letter was justified and had no repercussions.
This is with regard to reorganisation.
OK, I understand. At least it’s not personal; not that it helps particularly.
First – sorry to hear about your problems with the NHS. I hope it all works out well for you.
As to sending off an instant blast, I am prone to doing just that. But, I agree it is a good idea to take time to make a considered response.
Despite the short-lived satisfaction and pleasure gained from the instant response, it is seldom the wiser course – I had an excellent secretary once upon a time who saved me from myself on more than one occasion by suggesting that my initial drafts to the Chairman could possibly result in an abrupt shortening of my career…I hope it works out for you with the NHS. It sounds to me like they are going through one of these exercises to dispose of “passengers”, where everyone is given notice, and they will reengage those they want to retain – it seems to me a rather spineless scheme to avoid the management directly telling those they don’t want, that it’s time to leave, and sparing the rest of you all the uncertainty which surrounds this sort of action.
Sorry to hear of your problem Pseu, but sometimes things have to be said, and brought to the attention of whoever. I agree, it is preferred to write, then ponder, get someone else to read it before you post it. On the other hand, would you regret not sending it? allowing a serious problem to continue? Not easy. Good luck all the same, and remember, good always comes out of bad, honestly.
Thank all.
Maybe a change of career direction, hey? Any suggestions?
Pseu, hi.
Brutal news to receive at any time and appalling that they chose Old Year’s Night to do it.
If Hell exists, there is a particularly hot corner reserved for HR apparatchiks, in my opinion.
But only time will tell so my advice is to keep your powder dry for the moment. I sincerely hope that this is, as cwj says, a management cop-out and that your job will be safe in the new structure. It is clear from what you have written on this site and MyT that you are dedicated to that job. It sounds to me like one which is at the sharp end of NHS services which should be ring-fenced in any review of services.
Given your news, I did not want to start my comment with my usual seasonal greeting but I do wish you and yours a good New Year. I hope that your meeting tomorrow with your line manager brings you reassurance.