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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Possibility of a new job, 5 days less holidays, more money, less travel……

35 replies

AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 20:34

Have an interview next week for an Admin role in a family run business, £13-£14 per hour, 20 days holiday (plus BH) per year.

It’s local to me, so instead of a 50 mile round trip per day, it’s 7-8!

I’ve earned my extra 5 days holiday per year as I’ve been there for 15 years, so 25 days holiday plus BH per year. I earn £13 per hour for an extremely demanding role, it’s admin though so classed as ‘anyone can do it’ (they can’t), well they can but to do it well, without supervision, would take years.

I’m not sure what my AIBU is really.

AIBU to haggle for more holidays or if I can manage to get £14 per hour and 20 days, plus BH, per year, to just take it?

Toxic environment where I’m working, no idea if the new place would be any different but could it be any worse!

Any advice most welcome. Should I just think ‘fuck it’ and move on, without trying to ask for more holidays, or try and negotiate more during the interview with the gamble they might think ‘who does she think she is’ 😅

Even though I REALLY need to leave where I currently work due to a narcissist GM, I do love a couple of colleagues I work with. Starting somewhere new fills me with anxiety tbh, but should I just go for it (if offered the position of course)?

I’m heading towards mid 50s so no spring chicken. Would love to be settled right now without the thought of up sticks and moving but I want to be happy for my remaining work years!

Sorry for the ramble……I am a regular but have changed my name for this post.

OP posts:
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Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 18/01/2025 10:07

ScaryM0nster · 18/01/2025 08:46

Other aspect is whether you can build toil or take unpaid leave. And how you use your current holiday.

For the time and money saved on the commute you can quite possibly take a handful of days unpaid leave or build up some hours to the take back.

There’s also flexibility to consider.

On some work arrangements you can have three quality days a way for one day leave. Head away after work on Thursday PM from a prompt finish. Get home late Sunday night knowing that Monday isn’t a long day and not much commute and can sort bags in the time before : after work when you’d have been commuting in a job further away.

Whereas if you’re home late and early starts that 3 full days weekend actually needs 4 days leave.

Good suggestion regarding Toil. Something I could ask if offered the job.

The thought of not having to commute, especially throughout the winter months, really is appealing. During the summer months I could even walk to work.

OP posts:
ScaryM0nster · 18/01/2025 08:46

Other aspect is whether you can build toil or take unpaid leave. And how you use your current holiday.

For the time and money saved on the commute you can quite possibly take a handful of days unpaid leave or build up some hours to the take back.

There’s also flexibility to consider.

On some work arrangements you can have three quality days a way for one day leave. Head away after work on Thursday PM from a prompt finish. Get home late Sunday night knowing that Monday isn’t a long day and not much commute and can sort bags in the time before : after work when you’d have been commuting in a job further away.

Whereas if you’re home late and early starts that 3 full days weekend actually needs 4 days leave.

Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 18/01/2025 08:39

Monty27 · 17/01/2025 23:34

I wouldn't trust a family business. HR, nothing, flexibility, covering sickness or holidays, and losing 5 days leave? I just wouldn't risk it. Contracts might not be solid either.

I suppose I’m used to the shitty side of smaller firms as that’s where I’m running from. I have enjoyed some of the 15 years and would miss a few of my colleagues.

I have worked for the public sector in the past, some of the benefits far outweigh the private sector, but the pay isn’t great considering the minimum wage is increasing yet again in April and they expect so much from their job descriptions!

I might not even get the job yet but need to consider my options.

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Monty27 · 17/01/2025 23:34

I wouldn't trust a family business. HR, nothing, flexibility, covering sickness or holidays, and losing 5 days leave? I just wouldn't risk it. Contracts might not be solid either.

meganorks · 17/01/2025 22:38

Most private sector is 20 day plus bank holidays. You acknowledge you've earnt the extra the current job you hate and have to leave. I wouldn't try and negotiate anything until you actually get offered the job. But I'd probably aim for more money rather than holiday. I think most places have standard holiday that they offer.

Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 22:15

Pieandchips999 · 17/01/2025 21:23

I'd go for it for the lack of commute alone. That's so good for your wellbeing. I would say try and negotiate the extra transferred over but if they are a small family based team that will probably cause some drama. I'd see what else you can negotiate. Good luck with the interview

That’s the only negative I can envision currently.

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Mumof2girls2121 · 17/01/2025 21:32

See if your offered the job, consider that being so close to home will benefit you financially in petrol and time.

Genevieva · 17/01/2025 21:25

Interviews work both ways. You’ll know if it’s a good fit when you meet them. If you like them and would enjoy working with them then I’d lose the holiday in return for the shorter commute and better work-like balance the rest of the year.

Pieandchips999 · 17/01/2025 21:23

I'd go for it for the lack of commute alone. That's so good for your wellbeing. I would say try and negotiate the extra transferred over but if they are a small family based team that will probably cause some drama. I'd see what else you can negotiate. Good luck with the interview

Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 21:23

Anotherfrozenpizzafortea · 17/01/2025 21:20

Any way you can flexi your hours and take the odd half day maybe?

I could ask, but not sure it would be an option. I did this when I worked in the public sector but the private sector is a different kettle of fish.

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Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 21:21

Letstheriveranswer · 17/01/2025 21:06

A lot of places only offer 20 days plus bank hols.

Over 48 weeks a year, saving 40mins commute twice a day you gain the equivalent of 320 hours back, which is 42 x 7.5hr days, through not commuting.

As long as you can take leave when you need to it's worth it. You could ask if they will let you buy extra leave,.take unpaid leave, or use flexi time to accrue extra days to take.

Thank you. Those hours add up and make such a difference to your day/week/month!

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Anotherfrozenpizzafortea · 17/01/2025 21:20

Any way you can flexi your hours and take the odd half day maybe?

iamnotalemon · 17/01/2025 21:11

I moved jobs for 7 days less holiday (though we can take 5 days unpaid) but I was previously in an extremely toxic environment and I don't regret the move at all.

Letstheriveranswer · 17/01/2025 21:06

A lot of places only offer 20 days plus bank hols.

Over 48 weeks a year, saving 40mins commute twice a day you gain the equivalent of 320 hours back, which is 42 x 7.5hr days, through not commuting.

As long as you can take leave when you need to it's worth it. You could ask if they will let you buy extra leave,.take unpaid leave, or use flexi time to accrue extra days to take.

Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 21:02

on the other hand I have to think just go for it. If it all goes tits up I can look for another job.

Thank you all for your replies so far.

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Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 20:55

afromom · 17/01/2025 20:53

Yes negotiate. I did this for my current job. I was going from 28 down to 23 for not much more money, but was chasing more flexibility and a slightly easier commute. I waited until they offered me the job, and then asked at that point, they immediately raised the holiday to 25, with agreement to increase each year again after 3 years of service to get me back to 28 in 5 years. I was nervous about asking but they offered as soon as I asked!
Don't ask at interview, wait until they offer you the job.

Thank you! That’s a really great strategy! Well done to you btw! 😃

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Apileofballyhoo · 17/01/2025 20:54

I think a short commute is worth a lot of holiday.

Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 20:53

Mrsttcno1 · 17/01/2025 20:50

Genuinely I don’t think there is a way to be sure it won’t be a problem. If they need staff they’re not going to be open about the fact it will be difficult to get your holidays when you want them because it would put anybody off, it’s the gamble you take!

With family run the other thing is realistically you’re never going to be priority for leave if there’s an occasion/holiday/celebration.

Show quote history

You’re absolutely right.

I’m weighing up my options.

Is it better the devil you know etc…..😟

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afromom · 17/01/2025 20:53

Yes negotiate. I did this for my current job. I was going from 28 down to 23 for not much more money, but was chasing more flexibility and a slightly easier commute. I waited until they offered me the job, and then asked at that point, they immediately raised the holiday to 25, with agreement to increase each year again after 3 years of service to get me back to 28 in 5 years. I was nervous about asking but they offered as soon as I asked!
Don't ask at interview, wait until they offer you the job.

Mrsttcno1 · 17/01/2025 20:50

AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 20:46

Extremely good point. I’m worried about this too.
It’s something I might need to discuss during the interview but how I do I bring this up? 😅.

Show quote history

Genuinely I don’t think there is a way to be sure it won’t be a problem. If they need staff they’re not going to be open about the fact it will be difficult to get your holidays when you want them because it would put anybody off, it’s the gamble you take!

With family run the other thing is realistically you’re never going to be priority for leave if there’s an occasion/holiday/celebration.

Kittkats · 17/01/2025 20:49

Poppyseeds79 · 17/01/2025 20:42

If you really needed it do they offer the option to buy more holiday time?

I’d negotiate the £14, then ask if you could buy 3 days holiday. It’d still be slightly more than you earn currently, and you save money and time on the commute.

CoralHare · 17/01/2025 20:48

AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 20:38

Maybe I should as if they could meet in the middle?

Nah, just ask them to match your holiday. Now is the time to negotiate.

Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 20:48

Poppyseeds79 · 17/01/2025 20:42

If you really needed it do they offer the option to buy more holiday time?

I could ask. I don’t know how I approach this but it’s something to think about.

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Original poster
AlisonWhatIsTheMatter · 17/01/2025 20:46

Mrsttcno1 · 17/01/2025 20:42

I wouldn’t worry too much about the 20 days + bank hol, that is really typical for lots of places now. I doubt a small employer would offer more than that.

My concern with a small (if it is) family run business would be how easy/difficult it might be to take those holidays when you want to. I used to work for a similar business when I was younger and it was really difficult to get my holidays when I wanted them because in a smaller business people being off has a much bigger impact on daily runnings so they tend to be stricter on only 1 person off at a time, so holidays (especially in typical holiday times like kids holidays/summer/Christmas) can be a bit of a lottery to get.

Extremely good point. I’m worried about this too.
It’s something I might need to discuss during the interview but how I do I bring this up? 😅.

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 17/01/2025 20:42

I wouldn’t worry too much about the 20 days + bank hol, that is really typical for lots of places now. I doubt a small employer would offer more than that.

My concern with a small (if it is) family run business would be how easy/difficult it might be to take those holidays when you want to. I used to work for a similar business when I was younger and it was really difficult to get my holidays when I wanted them because in a smaller business people being off has a much bigger impact on daily runnings so they tend to be stricter on only 1 person off at a time, so holidays (especially in typical holiday times like kids holidays/summer/Christmas) can be a bit of a lottery to get.