Well, fuck.

I've been trying not to think about this for the last couple of days. That has (barely) been long enough for it to sink in.

I may not have a job here for much longer.

Fuck.

I was hired almost two years ago on a two year contract. It was temporary, but everyone said that making it permanant was almost a formality. It was (and is) a pretty crappy wage, but everyone said that they knew how crappy it was, and were trying to get that fixed. I was worried that I wasn't keeping my workload high enough (those who know me may be surprised to know that I spend a lot of time (over)compensating for a low self-esteem), but everyone says I'm doing great, and besides, there is the memory of a recently departed co-worker who was... let us say... a little shifty, and who did not keep himself on top of his workload. I don't look so bad compared to him, even in my own eyes. So my contract is coming to an end, and my last appraisal involved my boss (JohnH), and his boss(Andrew), and his boss(JonC), all saying "You're doing a wonderful job, we want to keep you, we'll have to sort something out about getting you a permanent position, and we can link promotions into that, and it'll be a bit of work, but you won't have to worry about it, and it will all be better soon enough." Well, not exactly: I paraphrased. But something close to that.
Anyway, about a month ago now, I was beginning to get worried that nothing was happening. I reminded a couple of people, and they said, 'yes, I know, I have to do that now'. And they did, and what hints and clues I saw were promising.

Then I got called in to the Tech Services Manager's (Andrew: one of the good guys) office a couple of days ago. That would be Tuesday. He said that in talks with the Buisiness Manager of the Department (JonC) and the HoD, that when the topic of my re-employment at the end of my contract was brought up, that they had not said no... but they hadn't said yes either, which as far as I'm concerned is as good as no. It certainly means I can't rely on a continued position.

The reason given was "The Budget". Apparantly, the enrolment for next year is much less than was expected (there is a strong case that the expected numbers were inflated to begin with, but I haven't got the data or training to say one way or the other), and the budget has undergone a severe restriction. Or at least, that's what has come down to me.

Upshot is, quote:"work on your CV. I'll be happy to be a referee". No-one in Tech Services wants me to go, whether because they like me, they think it isn't fair, or because the work I'm doing will have to pass on to them, who are already over-worked, which is the reason they hired me in the first place.

My best hope is that the HoD relents, and finds a place in his budget for me.
Next best is that I find a position somewhere else in the Uni. I'm currently at HEW3 level, which is a pay scale for the very low end: requires close supervision, next to no independant thought or action, basically a peon. I'm told that I'm working every day at a HEW5 level, and while I don't have a degree or MS certification, my experience, both in breadth and depth, should cover for that.
Next best hope is for a similar position at another Uni.
Failing that, it's basically back to Centerlink.

Fuck.

I really have to make more time to go through the UniMelb HR site looking for gems. Maybe kitling could put in a good word as well, even if we haven't met F2F in years, and she really doesn't know what I'm like as a worker. As a flatmate, maybe, but not in the workplace.

Fuck.

One workmate suggested I go to the HoD and cry at him, cause it had worked for her in the past. Hmmm.... nah.