Pixelfill Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 We've been offered VR at our place, and the terms are quite reasonable. I've been there 15 years, and would get a settlement which equates to just over 1 1/2 years take home salary. Now as with all big companies you get used to the way things work, and what the company expects of you, and for the last few years budgets have been tight so training has been at a real minimum. So I've lost touch with whether I have marketable skills. Our area is quite a niche market as it is, and in most other comparable markets things move at quite a pace, so there is a very real possibility that I've "fallen behind" the market. Also I've never been a specialist in my field, just a good all rounder. For these and numerous other reasons I can't decide whether to jump or cling on, and the application deadline is tomorrow so I'm running out of breathing room. I guess what I'm wondering is if anyone else has found themselves in a similar position, and what their decision was and how it panned out. Also what is the job market like at the moment, my work is in real-time graphics for simulators - as said I'm a generalist, part general software, C++, and part "Artist", so I guess the nearest comparable mass market is the computer games industry. Over to you... Thanks for reading Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 We've been offered VR at our place, and the terms are quite reasonable. I've been there 15 years, and would get a settlement which equates to just over 1 1/2 years take home salary. Now as with all big companies you get used to the way things work, and what the company expects of you, and for the last few years budgets have been tight so training has been at a real minimum. So I've lost touch with whether I have marketable skills. Our area is quite a niche market as it is, and in most other comparable markets things move at quite a pace, so there is a very real possibility that I've "fallen behind" the market. Also I've never been a specialist in my field, just a good all rounder. For these and numerous other reasons I can't decide whether to jump or cling on, and the application deadline is tomorrow so I'm running out of breathing room. I guess what I'm wondering is if anyone else has found themselves in a similar position, and what their decision was and how it panned out. Also what is the job market like at the moment, my work is in real-time graphics for simulators - as said I'm a generalist, part general software, C++, and part "Artist", so I guess the nearest comparable mass market is the computer games industry. Over to you... Thanks for reading Mike You need to speak to my wife..!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wantthatone Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 i have taken VR before, the package is all ways good, but it is all ways a gamble, in the last 18 months i chose not to work after redundancy hit me twice in 8 months! not by choice, the uk is still in limbo when it comes to jobs. being there isnt much about, only you can decide, but if it was compulsory there only obliged to pay 1 week per year, so it seems on paper a good deal.... will you be looking for employment straight away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 You need to speak to my wife..!! Well where is she - In her absence Has Vicki finished yet, has she anything else lined up? i have taken VR before, the package is all ways good, but it is all ways a gamble, in the last 18 months i chose not to work after redundancy hit me twice in 8 months! not by choice, the uk is still in limbo when it comes to jobs. being there isnt much about, only you can decide, but if it was compulsory there only obliged to pay 1 week per year, so it seems on paper a good deal.... will you be looking for employment straight away? I think I'd prefer to walk straight into another job than risk waiting a while and stagnating. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideexitsupra Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I guess the answers you have find are these: What will happen if you don't take VR? Is it likely to happen anyway and will the package be the same as for VR? What is the likelihood of finding a role with a comparable package in the next 18 months? I was once offered VR but the package was identical. 2 days later was put at risk anyway! There should be nothing to fear. I have been made redundant 3 times in my 24 year career and each time it has been the best thing that could happen, leading to a better job in the end. By better I don't necessarily mean more money, but a better overall work / life balance and quality of life. It also depends on your circumstances. Kids and a big mortgage might mean you want to stick it out where you are, young free and single and you might want to take the cash and run. I hope it all works out for the best and don't get despondent with any minor set backs. Good luck fella! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BazzaAlpine Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Also have a look at the jobs on Jagex.com and see if there is anything there you fancy. We are always looking out for new people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Also have a look at the jobs on Jagex.com and see if there is anything there you fancy. We are always looking out for new people. Cheers dude, will do. Off topic, but what do you do there ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I think the major question really is do you enjoy being there? After 15 years things can sometimes be tired some. Don't be afraid of change, it is more difficult than said & I know that but don't let your fears hold you back. The market is not great at the moment but their are jobs out there maybe not the same as what you do but I am sure similar. If you wasn't happy where you are now, I'd take the VR. You then have around a year to look for a decent job, you could maybe do small jobs inbetween to see if you are better suited to a different role. This way you have some financial backing to start looking for new job. Good luck in the choice you make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Ugh. I suppose it would depend if you wanted a change. It might be time to try something new, or hone in on one particular skill with some training for some of the time you're off searching for a new job? I believe the computer games industry is well and truly on it's arse at the moment though - just one of several stories lately http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/114/1148687p1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BazzaAlpine Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Cheers dude, will do. Off topic, but what do you do there ? It's an online games company (MMORPGs). We have RuneScape, a couple of smaller games and a couple more in developement. Lucky we seem to be weathering the poor econemy better than most in the industry. Hell when Realtime Worlds went under it felt like half of them that got made redundent came and now work for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo2810 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 You need to speak to my wife..!! I read that very quickly and thought you said "You need to spank my wife..!!" As has already been said, whether you jump or not has to depend on 2 things: 1) How secure is the role if you stay? 2) Are you in a position to take a gamble? Realistically you have a year to find another job and still be in a fairly healthy position. VR is tax free, so is it 18 months of taxed salary, or 18 months of your actual pre-tax earnings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 It's an online games company (MMORPGs). We have RuneScape, a couple of smaller games and a couple more in developement. sorry - I had checked the site I was curious about your role specifically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BazzaAlpine Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I suddenly thought that after I posted. I'm the Quality Assurance tester for the Core tech teams (Engine, tools etc). I also created and maintain our compatibility testing enviroment and keep an eye out for new tech to add to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 I read that very quickly and thought you said "You need to spank my wife..!!" As has already been said, whether you jump or not has to depend on 2 things: 1) How secure is the role if you stay? That's the concern - our industry is really on it's arse at the moment, so I suspect staying will merely be a stay of execution 2) Are you in a position to take a gamble? Once again a difficult one, I'm the major earner in the household, but aside from some credit and the mortgage we would be pretty comfortable for a while. Realistically you have a year to find another job and still be in a fairly healthy position. VR is tax free, so is it 18 months of taxed salary, or 18 months of your actual pre-tax earnings? It would be the equivalent of 18 months take home pay (after tax, pension and NI). i.e. much less than salary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanc Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Computer games industry is pretty shaky at the moment - I have first hand experience You would really need to work with big companies or risk relocating constantly... Saying that... programming (esp in C++) is always in demand. If you could couple that with additional skills such as understanding of graphical technologies etc would be good. Or look into moving on to .NET and ASP programming. Really good money and highly in demand. I see you already have 15+ years industry experience should that is a big plus. Can't really advice on VR though as I've don't have any experience in that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonB Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Does applying for it commit you to accepting VR? Whenever VR has been offered by companies I have worked for you applied, then your application was considered and could be accepted or turned down by management (depending if your role was considered essential). Then you received an individual "quote" if you like stating what the terms were (normally just what you had already worked out yourself). At this point you had a further period of time during which you could accept it or turn it down. So you may be able to apply tomorrow anyway and then use the extra time to look around, apply for other jobs etc before having to make a final decision. I have sort of taken VR before but not in the normal way - the company I worked for announced they would be shutting our site and making everyone redundant in 6 months. If you found a job earlier than that and wanted to leave early (as I did) you could apply for VR which would be automatically granted. You still had to apply, then get an individual statement, then accept that before it became official though. I was lucky in that I walked straight into another better paid job with 6 months tax free salary from my previous employer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Does applying for it commit you to accepting VR? Whenever VR has been offered by companies I have worked for you applied, then your application was considered and could be accepted or turned down by management (depending if your role was considered essential). Then you received an individual "quote" if you like stating what the terms were (normally just what you had already worked out yourself). At this point you had a further period of time during which you could accept it or turn it down. So you may be able to apply tomorrow anyway and then use the extra time to look around, apply for other jobs etc before having to make a final decision. I have sort of taken VR before but not in the normal way - the company I worked for announced they would be shutting our site and making everyone redundant in 6 months. If you found a job earlier than that and wanted to leave early (as I did) you could apply for VR which would be automatically granted. You still had to apply, then get an individual statement, then accept that before it became official though. I was lucky in that I walked straight into another better paid job with 6 months tax free salary from my previous employer! Hi Simon, No as you say it isn't binding at present, nor would it be guaranteed - though with the Unions involved and the number of people needed to be released I think they'd have to seriously want to keep me to avoid the application being rejected. However conversely if I applied I'd need to come up with a good reason not to accept it as the individual calculations have already been done, and the rest of the process is effectively a formality - should you be approved. Thanks for all your replies so far. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs H Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Mike you have PM. Vicki x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2 MSW Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 In every situation I have been in or seen anyone who has been offered VR has very shortly later been put at Risk and 9/10 the package is never as good. I would have a look at the market place and very quickly get a couple of applications out there and see how it goes. How long do you have to decide. At the end of the day 1 years salary is alot of money and means you can afford to relax for a bit. Im sure someone with your skill set will find a job in no time at all and even if its crap you can afford the luxary to move about untill you find whats right for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morpheus Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I'd say you're laughing by the sound of it Mike. Check out the agency market perhaps, as freelance would be higher paid; emergency temp' work always is, though flat rate perhaps. Plus you have the flexibility to take time out if you want an extended break. Downside is less job security but that's already why they're asking you to take VR in the first place. It just doesn't exist anymore. We were asked in the Joinery 18 months ago and I agreed as I'd immediately found another job but never got a settlement figure so still there. I did however work agency for a couple of years ('96-'98) and learned that it can lead to another full-time job quite easily if you are good enough. Just a quick Yahoo came up with these......fwiw. http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/JobSeeking/(C++%20Software%20Engineer)_UK_l1638_t4.html http://www.technojobs.co.uk/jobs/c++ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Take it Mike!! I did about 6 years ago - never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Snatch the hand off Mike..!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I cant comment on what you should do i can o nly comment on the last company i worked for. VR was offered by eurotunnel to all the 10 year+ people. Many of them took it. I think it was 10k at the time. Six months after they left they asked again only this time it was open to all. I know for a fact some of the ones that went the second time took 30k in some cases. Seems it was a ploy to try and remove the £££ ones without having to pay them. I went on the second offering, ive never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 If that was me, I'd be taking the VR and hitting the contract market. Contracting is relatively buoyant compared to the last 2 years. Generic C/C++ are always sought after. If you can add Java under your belt, which is syntactically influenced around C++ then you really on your way to a giggle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob wild Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 What did you do Mike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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