[Elainep]

Had an email this morning from my new NZ (accredited) employer - visa secured yesterday - basically saying that 'there have been some recent developments at XXXXX that we feel we need to make you aware of, therefore our Human Resources Adviser XXXXXX XXXXXX will be calling you to discuss this in detail on Sunday evening at 9.00pm UK time'.
Obviously it's too late now for me to call them or get a reply to an email as they've finished for the weekend. I was waiting for them to come back to me with a start date.
I'm obviously thinking the very worst; that they've pulled the job. Job was offered back on 16th December and I've signed the contract of employment. The job is not for a commercial business (it's local government) - I'm clinging to a hope that this makes some difference.
Not sure after all the OH has been through to getting close to having his visa secured, I can even tell him that I've had this email yet:uhoh
Any insight to give that won't make me feel even worse than I do now?:wah

[hosebergine]

I wish I could offer some insight but I wanted to send a big cuddle for you all over what I am sure will be a really difficult weekend. It may not be that the job has gone, just that the role has been changed..... I shall instruct all the kids' teddies to cross their paws for you. Can you plan a busy weekend to make it go more quickly?

[JandM]

((((()))))

[YouMeAndThree]

Not what you want hanging over you on a weekend. Have no advice to offer you either, but I'll keep everything crossed.

Lx

[Elainep]

thanks ladies, hugs are just what I needed:nice1
have been trying to compile a list in my head of what could be happening - it currently includes: withdrawing the offer completely, change of role, change of workplace, lesser role (and less money - as long as it's more than $55k I don't care!), bigger role; more money (hah!), not going to pay the relocation costs, wanting me to start in two weeks (or very soon), don't want me to start until much later (budget concerns maybe). Who knows, I'm just torturing myself now:uhoh
will busy myself with decluttering this weekend (and maybe a small peek and NZ job sites:wah
On a good note OH has appointment with the dr on Tuesday night to get his results from Wednesday's endoscopy and there's still an outside chance he'll get the report today on email as well:clap
Haven't told him yet, he's been under enough stress as it is.

[Tui2too]

It is probably just govt making sure t's are crossed and i's are dotted.
OH was told something similiar, for the govt position he has been offered (HR needed to clarify some changes) and it was really nothing to worry about, there had been some re-structuring and the some of the duties would be different. Hope its just the same for you! We've had ups and downs with emails too, and having to wait over the weekend...one even said the 'offer had lapsed', when it hadn't, so try not to worry (I know easier said than done!). Good luck!

-------------------------
still trying to sell the house so OH can start work in Welly in June...

[tea drinker]

Oohh you could do without this over the weekend.

Hope that it works out for you

(((( )))

[Elainep]

thanks for all the hugs and good advice. I know that there's nothing I can do as I don't even know what it is they want to say yet:( think that's the problem. I'm the sort of person that likes to know exactly what the issue is, so that we can think through how we can handle it. It's the not knowing what I'm dealing with that is frustrating.
Also, our CO has confirmed this afternoon that my OH's endoscopy report has been referred to an Medical Assessor (who will be picking it up on Monday) and CO said it will take a week to get the assessment completed. My OH works for an insurance co. and showed his report to one of the medical underwriters this afternoon, who said in term of it's content, he couldn't see anything that would ring alarm bells. Not proof that the MA will okay it, but at least a little comfort?
Right, now: what's for dinner?

[Jacqi B]

I want to say 'they wouldn't need to "discuss in detail" the withdrawal of an offer' but I'm worried that if I do I will be proved wrong.
It's very naughty of them to leave this hanging all weekend.
I wonder when the NZ tax year starts? maybe they want to delay your start till then?
Fingers (and teddy's paws) crossed for you.

[Elainep]

I kind of agree with you about the wording used. Also, why say 'we feel you need to be aware' ? But I am quite a literal person and do tend to analyse every word that someone writes to me ;) And that only works if the person writing has specifically chosen the words they've written to convey a certain thing and not just written anything! I agree that the timing is awful, but I don't think that could have been helped. The email was sent at 4.30pm Friday (NZ time) so 3.30am Friday here, so whereas she would have normally phoned me, as she has done in the past, I think she felt she had to write to warn me that I was getting a phone call on Sunday night (Monday am NZ time) in case I was out. Doesn't she know that Sunday 9pm for me means ironing and watching Lost?? :nice1
Right that's it, going to sit down and watch a film with the family now and try to keep busy this weekend. Thanks for the support everyone.

[Flutterby]

fingers crossed that its simple a few changes in the "terms and conditions"/smallprint or role of the job offer!

[NikT]

fingers crossed that its simple a few changes in the "terms and conditions"/smallprint or role of the job offer!

Same from me.:)

Nick.:cheers

[walshy]

Hope it works out, sorry to say my wife had this in december and it turned out the job had been pulled, we just still came out anyway and she got another in 3 days, 6 weeks from now restrictions will be lifted from passports.

If it is bad news, you have been granted residency, come out and get another job

[clairelouise]

Oh Elaine, I've got everything crossed for you too!! I know you can do without this stress and bother :yes

I bet Monday can't come soon enough! Good luck and (((hugs)))

[GreenMeansGo]

ugh! I'd be worried too, but keeping everything crossed for you!
+++++++++++++++

claire

[Elainep]

That's the thing: I haven't got PR, I've been granted the WTR based on having this job from an accredited employer (under the accredited talent route). So my lovely new shiny visa (only a few days old) states specifically that I have to work for this employer, in a specific location and a specific job. I'm trying not to think too much about this until I know what the deal is, but I'm thinking if I have to find a new (accredited employer) job, will NZIS allow me to change the employer/job/location on the visa (or is it a whole new application?) and would I have to do this within the 3 month's life of the original medicals?
Anyway I will keep you posted with the outcome of the call on Sunday night (UK time) - this time tomorrow I will know :uhoh

[Flutterby]

it does say in the guidelines "or any other employment approved by us" so you'd probably find that so long as you can find another suitable position you'll just need their approval to change it!

[dusk]

hope the phone call has gone okay - the wording sounds like they want to discuss terms and conditions as others have said. fingers crossed.

[Elainep]

...and I can breath again! The job offer still stands. :laugh. They wanted to talk to me about the current economic climate in NZ, what impact that's having on their revenue and what impact that may have in the future on jobs with them. That they (like most employers) are looking at what efficiencies/budget savings can be made for the future and that there are no guarantees that this won't effect my role in say 6 mths/year or beyond. They wanted to make sure that we come with eyes wide open. They realise what a huge step it is, so I think that's responsible of them.
Our initial thought is that potentially being in line for redundancy could happen if we stay in the UK anyway (OH's employer announced the loss of 250-450 jobs this week and he could be one of them) and who's to say that my own current job will continue to be funded going forward (I work for a local authority in the UK)? This isn't going to stop us. We'll just make sure that we don't buy a property immediately after we get there (we were going to rent first anyway) so we can be flexible to move elsewhere in NZ if the need arises and we need to find other jobs.
So from recent posts, are we right in thinking that if I did get made redundant within the first 2 years on a WTR visa, NZIS would let me find (presumably within a reasonable amount of time) another suitable job so we could stay for the length of the visa (Sept 2011)? And when OH gets his work visa (see how positive I'm being now?!) presumably he'll be able to work for anyone (accredited or not) so maybe when we get there he should try to get a job with an accredited employer just in case, as a bit of insurance, then we might be covered:cheers
And finally I wanted to say a big thank you to you wonderful peple for all the kind words and support. You really all are quite great:nice1
Tune in for the next instalment of our family drama when I'll be fretting about the medical assessor and wondering when we'll hear if he/she has passed OH's medical:uhoh

[loobie]

Great News , you can breathe again now :D

[clairelouise]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

Phew Elaine! That's one hurdle done and dusted with!

[dusk]

not sure about your WTR re redundancy, but what you have said seems reasonable I would think, possibly they might get you to apply for a different kind of visa or something?

your hubbie would be able to get a job with any employer in NZ - he just needs a general work visa (or however it works with WTR!)

[luckystar]

Glad you've still got your job. :nice1

[hosebergine]

woo hoo, time for some cartwheels down the street! What a huge relief for you all

[NikT]

Phew!:nice1

Nick.:cheers

[Wooly_Cow]

[QUOTE=Elainep;280886
So from recent posts, are we right in thinking that if I did get made redundant within the first 2 years on a WTR visa, NZIS would let me find (presumably within a reasonable amount of time) another suitable job so we could stay for the length of the visa (Sept 2011)? [/QUOTE]

Basically the answer is 'yes'. If you get made redundant the NZIS will give you some time to find an employer who will take over your WTR. I think a couple of months was suggested but it's on a case by case basis.

Whilst I'm at it, why don't you progress PR. With a job offer you should have more than enough points to pass the EOI stage. Yes it's expensive and a lot of paperwork, but perfectly managable (I did ours whilst organising the move!). If you are organised (and a bit lucky) you could get PR in a couple of months (mine took 5 weeks end to end). That way you can work for anyone!

Just a thought.

Hope things work out for you both.

:)

[Elainep]

So we could apply for PR at the same time we already WTR? And PR would just take precedence if we got it?

[Wooly_Cow]

So we could apply for PR at the same time we already WTR? And PR would just take precedence if we got it?

Yup. Not only could you apply, but you can also reuse the police checks and medicals, if they are less than 6 months and 3 months old respectively, at the time you apply (you have to get your EOI accepted first but like I said with a firm job offer you should have enough points to get selected. This process happens once a month).

Reuse would save you time and of course cost.

I also found that applying for PR through New Zealand House in London, appeared to be quicker and eaiser than doing it here in Wellington (a mate is going through the porcess here and it's taking for ever). The only draw back is if you are in NZ already when the PR gets approved (usually takes about 3 months but like I said mine took 5 weeks from EOI submission to PR being granted.....though it took me a few months more to get the stamp 'cause I went myself to London to get it during a break back to the UK) you will have to send you passports back to London for the stamps (I think they can transfer the process between offices but again have been told this can lead to delays)

Once you get PR, you can forget the WTR visa as PR trumps everything expect being a citizen. It also gives you certain rights to pension schemes and some benefits you don't get if you are on a work visa, however for most things (tax, medical cover, school fees etc.) a long term work visa is as good as PR.

PR does cost a lot though but IMHO is worth it.

Oh and it starts the five year process of getting citizenship...

[Julie Latham]

Hi elaine

Did you get your phone call? How did it go ?

Fingers crossed

Julie

[Elainep]

Hi Julie, yes I did get my call (post #19 above) - was just a warning about the NZ economic situation and them asking if we were sure we still wanted to come :nice1
Hi Wooly_Cow (I'm sure that's not your real name:laugh - sorry just re-read your post and realised your name is Jan) - thanks for the info re the PR, it's certainly something to think about. although not sure I have the strength to fill another form in yet ;)

[JayBee]

Just caught up on your posts - what a relief on the job front and they sound like decent employers to talk things over with you in the current climate. Best of luck:clap

[Wooly_Cow]

Hi Wooly_Cow (I'm sure that's not your real name:laugh - sorry just re-read your post and realised your name is Jan) - thanks for the info re the PR, it's certainly something to think about. although not sure I have the strength to fill another form in yet ;)

:laugh - I know it's yet more forms, but don't forget if you delay you will have to re do and pay for the polcie checks and more importantly medicals. If your OH is having issues getting the medical when they do, it might be worth thinking about using that 'clean bill of health' just in case the medical issue arises again when you go for PR - just a thought.

Anyway the EOI is all on line and quite easy - you just need to keep a track of reference documents and make sure they don't get lost or (in my case) packed into a 20 foot container somewhere in the Indian ocean when you need to provide them!

[JandM]

just a warning about the NZ economic situation and them asking if we were sure we still wanted to come What a relief!

[tea drinker]

Thank goodness for that!
Seem to be responsible employers...hope that they are good to work for.