Kind of a continuation of this thread:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/854468-career-decisions.html
Anyway, I did the new gig for a year, and over that time, the workload steadily declined. About halfway through the year, I started working 50% with other teams, including my old team of 12 years, and several others to fill my time. Eventually, the workload declined to the point that it didn't make sense for me to do it anymore and about three months ago I was told to find something else to do. I put out feelers with the manager (not the manager when I was there) of my old team and another team, and both declined to take me, as they felt the workload was below my salary level. I ended up moving to another team that needed help.
It became quickly apparent that this team is both low-functioning and kind of the red-headed step child of the department. It supports an application that is poorly written and needs constant attention as a result. I've been told that funding to actually fix it (or improve it) won't happen. The team members are bitter, unmotivated, don't communicate with each other, don't keep up with assignments, and don't follow directions. I ask people to do work and get ignored, or told "yes" and it's partially done at best. It's not toxic, there's just no motivation. I've tried several approaches, but the only thing that gets them to do their jobs is to literally sit at their desks and watch them--something I absolutely hate to do. Somewhat ironically, my manager continually praises me for making the team more effective.
My old team of 12 years contacted me yesterday to tell me that two positions have opened up, both at my salary range. Like I said in the other thread, I enjoyed working on that team on only left to get a promotion. I'd consider that team to be high-functioning. I always felt like we worked well together, backed each other up, and genuinely tried to do good work.
I'm conflicted. I hate to leave a team after so short a tenure. It's against my nature to quit like this. There's also a few things I'd like to accomplish. Unfortunately, I think there's a good chance I won't get funding to do any of them. Still, I'd like to get back to a team that functions well and is given the opportunity to do good work.