Job advice?

[nellyjelly]

Edited version.
I work 4 days pw in a job I hate and am probably looking at a redundancy situation next year. Pros though are decent salary, decent leave and the fact I can work 4 days pw as have small DCs and wanted at least some time with them

Applied on the off chance for another job and got it! It is 15 mins from home and is just what I want to do BUT is full time. Salary is slightly less but as is full time I won't notice the difference. Leave is an issue though as 5 days less than have currently though will get more but after 3years.

I think my dilemma boils down to feeling guilty at going full time amd missing my day with the children and losing leave which will impact on childcare too. However I will be much happier to leave my current post and working nearer home will be great.

Any advice, views etc? Do you think I could ask for reduction in hours after a while?

[tribpot]

Congratulations on the new job.

It sounds like it ticks every box except part-time - and even that is just unknown, not a definite no.

I work in an organisation where basically the entire workforce has been waiting and hoping for redundancy for the past two years and it is truly soul-destroying. I wouldn't hesitate to move for a job closer to home and doing something you really want to do.

Is it worth a conversation with up front to say 'I really want this job and I'm grateful for you offering it to me, but I am comparing it to my current package and I wanted to check whether 4 days a week was an option?' - making clear that if it isn't you completely understand.

We're not in an economy where good jobs come along every week - or even every year. So unless you are reasonably certain another good offer would present itself next year or the year after, I would go for it.

[Jinsei]

Are you the person who I interviewed recently?! If so, please take the job, you are exactly what we were looking for!!!!

[nellyjelly]

I hope not! I was interviewed last week and asked for a week to consider. They want acdecision next week.

Thanks for advice,

[stowsettler]

FWIW I had almost exactly the same dilemma a few months ago. I'd just had DD (literally she was 6 weeks old when I had the interview) and I was offered the post. It's much closer to home than my current post. However I love my current job and they had agreed to my returning on 4 days per week. The new job is ONLY full-time at present. I anticipate being able to do it in 4 days however, and I decided to take the job on a full-time basis and request a 4-day week when I've passed my probation (assuming that I do pass it!). They will have to consider my request and, as I am aware the previous incumbent was about to go 4 days when she left, I should be in a good position to make a business case for 4 days.
So the upshot of that rather long-winded response is, I would say yes, go for it - once you've passed your probation and provided you can put forward a good business case, they will have to have a reason to reject a request to go to 4 days.

[redskyatnight]

Do you have any flexibility in the hours you work? I work 8.30-4.30 in a job that is close to home so I am always home by 5 which still allows for a nice chunk of the evening with the DC.

I'd definitely agree with asking if you can work part time. Even if they say "no" you are legally entitled to request flexible working after 6 months, so that will give you time to get your feet under the desk, show what you can do and come up with a good case for it.

[nellyjelly]

Useful info. Didn't realise I could ask for flexi working after 6 months. Think am going to take it. As has been said, good jobs are few and far between and will regret not taking it I think.

Thanks for all advice and Stow - thanks for telling me your experience too.

[tribpot]

Good for you, nellyjelly - it's not easy to make a decision that will take you out of your comfort zone but but there are a lot of pluses to this job and hopefully you will be very happy there.

Plus if it is Jinsei's firm you've just made her happy too

[SizzleSazz]

If your current place is in between redundancy rounds you could ask if they might agree a compromised exit, whereby you leave and they pay you off but they don't have the hassle of redundancy process. Worked for me

My current job was advertised ft but i said I would do it 3 days a week for the same money. They agreed - I was more senior than the role advertised was though

Never harms to ask - they can only say no....

[tribpot]

Redundancy is next year, though, Sizzle. I can't see that OP's firm would have any reason to pay her off.

[SizzleSazz]

My old firm were happy to lose people whenever & wherever

I think they wanted to reduce the number of actual Redundancies they had to announce to the market

[tribpot]

Sure but they can call it 'natural attrition' and not replace her - I don't think I'd try and play them off against an offer of a better job.

[nellyjelly]

Good idea. Could have done with the redundancy but at the moment they aren't commiting to it, just expressions of interest. However likelilood is redundancy next year. Just happy to be leaving tbh.

[SlumberingDormouse]

I would be honest with your potential new employer and see what they can offer you. You might be able to reach a good solution, e.g. fewer hours/higher salary. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain. Good luck!

[mirry2]

Op -Although you can ASK for flexitime after 6 months, they don't have to give it to you

[nellyjelly]

Thanks