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Job question 63.1.5 -> 15

mulberry

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Happy solstice everyone!

I'm beginning to mull over finding a new job, one with better pay per time invested, fewer intense/draining responsibilities, and (I hope) a less mercurial supervisor.

At the same time, the job has many good aspects, some unusually good. The hours have a measure of flexibility, no one gets fired for calling in sick or being late... it's just combined with punishingly long and uncompensated hours on salary at certain points of the year. The pay is low and made even lower by the extra hours everyone is supposed to put in during these big seasonal moments.

So I'm nervous about an out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire situation. Otherwise known as "better the devil you know..."

What is the outcome of looking for a new job?
63.1.5 -> 15

15 is usually a sign of auspiciousness for me, or at least being on a solid and correct track in my thinking. 63.1 gives me pause that I might be rushing this, though, and 63.5 seems to very clearly be suggesting humbleness/sincerity/no flashiness is in order. Question I have to figure out—is my current job the more sincere, humble option? I'm leaning towards thinking no, and that with 63.5 Yi is suggesting a much more mundane, quiet job (my current one has a measure of "coolness" about it, by some people's standards, though it's long lost its allure for me...and of course that "cool" factor is supposed to make up for the bad pay and terrible hours) would be beneficial and OK to switch to.

Then I read this recent thread with Moss Elk's suggestions about asking "What about/What is the problem?" as a follow-up to Rosada's issue. So I asked,

"What is the problem of staying?" 18.5 to 57.
Not a fan of getting 18 with this job. It's kind of all 18, all the time (mixed with 54). I am the resident mess cleaner on emotional, organizational, and logistical levels all over the place and with all of my coworkers (most of them men, some are great, but a few of them bring some really lousy, at time borderline harassment-level, gendered behaviors into their dealings with me and my few female coworkers). Even though 18.5 is generally positive about this role (feels like Yi is saying, you will be supported and appreciated...which I guess I mostly am), it just isn't what I want to be doing anymore. It feels stagnating and draining.

"What is the problem with leaving?" 51.1 to 16
Why, yes, the idea is terrifying! I'll be losing stability, benefits (not very good ones, but with Obamacare up in the air it's better than nothing), a place where I usually know what to expect, etc.

Yet at the same time 51.1 shows that the initial terror and shock will lead to good fortune.

Is anyone interested in taking a look at this? These feel like somewhat murky readings to me, not totally organized narratively, so I'm struggling to puzzle them all out.

Also, I definitely plan to look for jobs to see what's out there, but actually applying takes concerted effort, I've found, with lots of hours put in and other things sacrificed to get it done, and I'm trying to decide if now is the time to throw myself into that.

Thanks, all!
 
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mulberry

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Also, I realize I made an imperfect graft of Moss Elk's method onto my own question. I find it interesting that in asking "What is the problem with...", I got two replies that seemed to say, "There is no problem." (Though I don't like the 18 vibe much, even in its best incarnation.)

I also threw down the heart of the question, which is, "What would come of doing everything possible to be home full time with my baby?" (taking into consideration working freelance in the evenings on projects, etc., which I'm qualified to do, or working from home during the day—I have family helping with childcare). Got 28.2.3.5 into 16. (16 seems to link it in conversation to 51). This one I understand clearly, it would be stressful and hard! It's at once natural and will lead to flourishing (28.2), a situation that would put us in financial stress (28.3), and one that would call for unusual and slightly awkward compromises (28.5).
 
D

diamanda

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Hi mulberry,

Happy solstice to you too!

What is the outcome of looking for a new job? 63.1.5 > 15
I had this exact combo once about a very (very) tricky situation. It turned out that the other person involved in the question believed that they could do as they please without taking my wishes into account, and they also believed that they could dispense of me - but still intended to make use of me if they ever needed. So applied to your situation, I don't think there will be a greatly auspicious outcome in the short-term future with a new job. You'll somehow need to keep your current job into the picture, and keep a balance (15) between what you fancy (63.1) and what is pragmatically possible.

What is the problem of staying? 18.5 > 57
You'll need to use flattery big time. But at least if you do that you'll stay (= 57).

What is the problem with leaving? 51.1 > 16
A happy surprise which leads to working online? Or, nothing tangible.

What would come of doing everything possible to be home full time with my baby? 28.2.3.5 >16
28.2 says something new will initially flourish, but the weight will be too big (28.3).
So eventually you would turn to your old job..? (28.5).
OR they'll hire someone else in your position, then ask you to chip in and work remotely.
16 is about images/illusion, so a good hexagram for working online.

Overall if these were my answers I'd just go with staying where you are. Good luck with anything you decide to do!
 

mulberry

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Thanks so much for your interpretations, Diamanda! I don't think there's a "perfect" solution, and you helped me clarify that.

For what it's worth (I feel on the verge of Yi-ing myself into a muddle), I asked "What's the outcome if I quit in February?" (which would be the fairest time to leave, given them enough cushion before their huge event season in the late spring...it's kind of like February or else June are the only options, or I'm going to risk burning a bridge) and got 41.2.5 -> 42, which feels...right. Though I'm still puzzling through which parts of my life fall into that 41.2 pattern, in which Yi warns against giving too much of yourself in service of others. Is Yi talking about sacrificing too much on behalf of my child (giving up stable employment/relying more on my husband, etc. /having to hustle freelance work, in order to fully be with her and nurture her)? Or is Yi saying, "It's good to leave the job where they constantly expect more hours from you than you are paid for, you can stop that constant over helpfulness and split off from them." I'm hoping it's the latter, and 41.5 (such a nice line), plus 42 as the relating hex, makes me lean more towards thinking it is, and in quitting there's at least some chance of it all turning out in a lucky way.

Regardless, I'll update when it all shakes out!
 
D

diamanda

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What's the outcome if I quit in February? 41.2.5 > 42

I like this answer! And yet I don't think it's as simple as just quitting. Obviously they are taking advantage of you at the moment and them demanding long unpaid hours of work is actually very 42.2.5 > 41 (in which the rich is taking advantage of the poor - i.e. the opposite of your new reading). So your reading shows you reversing the situation, and you taking advantage of the rich (please do :)).

I'm having second thoughts about the 63.1.5 > 15. Maybe it's not you who believes they can dispense with the other - maybe it's the other way round, and they now treat you in this manner, but they would actually prefer not to lose you. My gist in all I've written so far is that simply staying, or simply quitting, might not be the only two alternatives. What if you negotiated a better deal with them? What if you exercised your maternity rights (surely you've got some?)?

41.2 - an omen of profit/benefit/advantage. Look at where your advantage and profit lie. Also think of how profitable you are to them. An attack or an expedition would bring misfortune, so don't argue with them, don't threaten them to leave, and don't leave this job. Do not lose/damage, instead benefit/increase what you've already got. I'm convinced now that your energies should not be invested in leaving and applying elsewhere, but in staying and making the most of this. Somehow you need to showcase just how valuable you are to them, how much you increase them and benefit them. Also look at your profits too, find out what benefits you're entitled to. All in all aim for a rise (!). Also aim to stop being harmed by them. Combined with 18.5, maybe you don't only need to flatter them, but you also need to sing your own praises. Correct the decay (18.5) and stay (57).

41.5 - if 41.2 is done properly then you'll get a rise! One of the best lines, as you know. And of course 42 (profit) is also great.

In conclusion, don't actually quit, but give it a go to get a better deal where you are. Base your case on what an amazing work you're doing, how you're profiting them, know your rights beforehand and let it show, diplomatically show that you don't want, and you won't accept, to be harmed (41) anymore - but instead you want to be profited.
 

mulberry

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Hi, Diamanda! And many thanks! Your advice is excellent. The problem is (and it's hard to give every relevant detail in these posts, or I would have mentioned it earlier) is I'm actually a few steps ahead of it. I already did most of what you suggested, and in a normal organization with a proper healthy budget and professional standards, it would have worked, but I'm at this point because it didn't.

I didn't mention it in my initial posts because it seemed too detailed, or not relevant, but perhaps it is: they actually rescinded a flexible work schedule they had agreed to give me, before I could even start it, while I was still on maternity leave. And they did it in a cowardly way too. The director, who had agreed to it (even suggested it initially as part of a very positive assessment of my work!), suddenly said I "needed to clear it with supervisor X" (who reports to him, but is above me), a few weeks before I came back. I had a bad feeling the moment he did this, and yes, supervisor X (the same nasty character from this thread; he's been reprimanded several times but still not fired) insisted on reducing the flexible time, made a big spiel about needing "all hands on deck", referenced the event schedule and how "a flexible schedule is not really possible around that" (which is BS, because he is a parent himself and works from home an average of 2 days a week, and leaves work by 4 the other days...he is hated tbh by everyone for this), and insisted on reducing my flexible time. I previously reported him to the director because he made inappropriate personal comments/suggestions to me (after asking him to stop and he didn't), and he was reprimanded and apologized, but remained my supervisor. There's no way for me to retain my dignity and still get him on my side.

Anyway, I didn't think he'd be this difficult about it, it's been a shock, but either he's had it out for me for ages, since the reprimand about his behavior, or both he and the director have decided that having a mother in my role is not compatible with the amount they want to exploit the person in my position. They have been drawing resources from my department for the rest of the place, and I have no idea what the budget is like at this point, it seems bad. At any rate, it's a rotten situation! (It's also become more clearly unworkable to me in the day or two since I posted, as I have continued trying to negotiate.) Oh well. I'll see how it all shakes out!
 

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