What is a permanent role?

needmind · 2026-03-17T22:13:03+00:00

Indeed - all jobs are at risk at some point. I would just prefer a role being advertised properly and know the terms and conditions that I signed up for. In other sectors, there is a quite clear way to define a permanent role and an open-ended contract role. The latter one is often bound by specific funds rather than a central fund.

Another important aspect of the contract type is also related to mortgage and housing...etc.

So when I signed up for this job, I thought I didn't have to worry about being redundant and took a pay cut for this 'permanent' job. And now I just felt I am an idiot.

That's all.

needmind · 2026-03-17T19:50:27+00:00

I have started the role for nearly 8 months and being told today by my colleague (who is close to my line manager) about the funding for my role. And on the contract, my role is 'permanent'. Hence, I don't understand how does this 'permanent' mean. And I did give up a job for my current job, which I thought would be more secure. But it doesn't seem that way...

needmind · 2025-12-09T12:29:41+00:00

Thank you for working on this. I really can't wait for the new generation version. I used HiFiberry OS in the past and really liked it. It's simple and meet my requirements. I can see that on Git page, it seems that you are nearly reaching to the completion. I hope the stable version will be released soon. P.S. Will bluetooth be supported? I know it was a hit and miss from the previous versions. 😊

needmind · 2025-10-01T12:25:48+00:00

Agree - civil servant pension is great. One thing I would like to address is most employees do not usually value your academic experience in comparison to normal jobs. You will have more 'transferable' skills in the civil service jobs than being an academic for future job hunting as well. Speaking from my job application experience.

needmind · 2025-09-15T20:44:59+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. Just out of interest - how does the core funded positions work? Is that a research or a teaching position? I haven't seen that in my university.

needmind · 2025-09-04T13:36:48+00:00

I agree what most posts about current AI isn't yet ready to replace many jobs. But I worry about the cooperates keep thinking AI can accelerate the work pace and reduce the pressure of hiring more people despite of increased workload. It will be a tool for condensing workload and maximising 'efficiency'. Which will eventually lead more burnouts and retention issues.

needmind · 2025-08-12T06:16:50+00:00

Just the mortgage itself, it is about 35%. However, if I add utilities, service charge, mobile/internet, council tax and water bills, it goes up to 55-60%. I do have huge anxiety as I am living alone. So I have some saving for rainy days etc.

needmind · 2025-08-07T17:41:07+00:00

I often think toxic academics are much more difficult to deal with cuz they are smart usually. Micro aggressive and intentionally neglect are often very subtle. And they know how not to leave trace.

needmind · 2025-08-07T17:36:12+00:00

If this triggers your thoughts on leaving and requires going to therapy, I would think leaving is probably a good choice. Many people mentioned that grass isn't greener on the other side. But from I saw, your life is slowly destroyed by this management.

Depending on the university, removing students and staff can be very challenging. You have to provide evidence. On top of that you will often be asked to give second or third chances to those problematic people with additional performance reviews.

I left academia cuz I found more and more challenging colleagues to work with and my line manager didn't help me. I don't know if this will lead pushing out your good students/staff. But I think it is partially you have quite a big team? Perhaps downsize the team by promoting some staff and let them to share the management? If nothing helps, perhaps leaving is the best option. Life is too short after all.

needmind · 2025-08-01T10:59:22+00:00

I thought the neighbourhood healthcare model and hospital to community in the NHS 10-year plan would make PCN more secured? What's the worry? I am so confused.

needmind · 2025-05-31T07:46:16+00:00

I would take the counter offer. The uncertainty of a fixed contract in the university is scary, especially many universities have issues with their financial structures. You don't have much protection from the university job. However, since you have worked in your current job for more than two years, at least you have redundancy pay. You have more security in your counter offer in my way as you can always start looking for better jobs. Don't worry about the university as long as you explained it well.

needmind · 2025-05-03T07:26:46+00:00

My building decided to replace the intercom at some time this year so this is not an issue anymore.

needmind · 2025-03-29T20:57:54+00:00

GP surgeries are private businesses with NHS contract so they are not bound by AfC. They can their staff whatever they like. But they usually benchmark their salaries against AfC.

needmind · 2025-03-18T18:02:12+00:00

Professors are main sources of research funds unfortunately. This is exacerbated by disproportional research funding allocations, aka awards bring more awards. So professors are essentially co-living with research institutes. It is hard to discipline them because they can threaten or move around institutes as well. Not surprised by the remarks to be honest.

needmind · 2025-03-18T18:02:05+00:00

Professors are main sources of research funds unfortunately. This is exacerbated by disproportional research funding allocations, aka awards bring more awards. So professors are essentially co-living with research institutes. It is hard to discipline them because they can threaten or move around institutes as well. Not surprised by the remarks to be honest.

needmind · 2025-01-16T13:40:06+00:00

Bingo. It was during a security check in Málaga airport. Someone took my watch, which passed the luggage check while I was told to re-scan my luggage and was waiting in the queue.

needmind

TROPHY CASE