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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take a lower paying job just to have a job

33 replies

Boohoolol · 12/05/2025 20:26

I’ve recently been made redundant. because of a health condition, it’s easier for me to work remotely (I’m 2 hours away from major cities where the jobs are:
the commute can be tricky if I’m ill)

I’ve been offered a new job: however, the salary is significantly less than what I left (approx £20k PA) however after tax it’s really just £10k less.

DH thinks I should hang fire and see if I find something nearer to my previous salary; but I’m thinking a lower paying job is better than no job.

any thoughts or experiences?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
rookiemere · 15/05/2025 06:45

Fully remote roles are a lot rarer than they used to be, so I think you did well to accept.

WayneEyre · 14/05/2025 23:40

I think you've made the right decision. Good luck!

YearlySubscriptionRenewal · 14/05/2025 23:35

You are a much more interesting candidate if you are currently employed, you won't deplete your savings. Absolutely take the job.

EBearhug · 14/05/2025 23:29

Good luck!

Needspaceforlego · 14/05/2025 22:56

@Boohoolol good luck in your new job.

ExpressCheckout · 14/05/2025 16:48

WasherWoman25 · 12/05/2025 20:29

Yes this ^^

Show quote history

^ another one saying this!

Original poster
Boohoolol · 14/05/2025 16:41

Thanks everyone. The job is remote. If i got a hybrid role in the nearest town, it would cost at least £500 a month: so £6k after tax: so I would need to earn another £12k in a hybrid.

have accepted the role btw!

OP posts:
Sparrow7 · 13/05/2025 08:44

The job market is awful right now. If you've been offered a job, I would take it while you carry on looking. I've been job hunting since the beginning of the year and applied to 20 or so jobs and got nowhere!

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 13/05/2025 08:25

The new job pays significantly more than nothing though.

Take it, start earning. After a couple of months or so, the overall annual pay will be better than your old job for a year!

Needspaceforlego · 13/05/2025 07:22

Take it then it also allows you to be picky over what else you apply for.
You might even be able to get an internal promotion.

Zanatdy · 13/05/2025 07:17

I’d take it. Better not to have large gaps and any income is better than none.

AstonUniversityPotholeDepartment · 13/05/2025 07:13

Unless the job is going to actively damage your CV or something, take the job.

EBearhug · 13/05/2025 07:02

I'd take it. I took a job that was £20k less than the previous one I was made redundant from., but I knew I was unlikely to match my previous salary unless I went into London, and I didn't want to. I left after 5 months for my current job, which isclose but not quite as much as my original salary - I didn't actually move because of the money, but because my teamlead turned out to be a micromanager, but the money certainly made the decision easier.

Holdonforsummer · 13/05/2025 06:54

IwasDueANameChange · 12/05/2025 23:21

the role has salary bandings: so they can’t offer any more.

I wish more people would argue against this as its total bollocks. You can always offer more if you need to even where there are bandings. Ive seen it loads.

Ways it happens

  • a job simply gets rebanded when candidates (men!) refuse to accept poor pay
  • men tend to successfully insist on going in top of band while women believe its "impossible".

HR teams often create rules like no promotions within x months of joining, no pay rises exceeding X% etc. I have seen exceptions made for all the rules going.

Sadly I don’t think this is true in a lot of jobs. Where I work they get enough applicants not to move the banding at all and won’t start anyone past the mid-point of the band.

rookiemere · 13/05/2025 06:52

I would take the job if that is what you - not your DH - want to do, unless it wouldn’t leave you with enough money to pay mortgage and essentials.
The job market is not buoyant at the minute and it can be quite soul destroying.It sounds like it offers what you need in terms of location and role and it’s better to be earning something than burning through your redundancy pay.

Evaka · 13/05/2025 06:52

Take it and keep an eye out. Agree with others to try negotiate a better starting salary regardless of banding nonsense.

To your husbands point:

My last job was wildly overpaid but I ended up very unhappy and made the move last year to a better/more interesting/strategic role for less money - a bigger drop than you've mentioned.

My job search really brought home that my old salary was indexed way above broader industry averages and I'd never have matched it. Plus the job market is dire right now.

ScaryM0nster · 13/05/2025 06:51

£10k less take home a year.

Let’s say your new job take home is £3.5k. If you can start the new one 3 months earlier than hanging out for something else then over the next year you’ll be financially better off than waiting for something else.

That may make it a more straightforward decision.

Changeissmall · 13/05/2025 06:50

Sounds like the previous job was a bit of a one off if the salary didn’t match the skill set. Hence the redundancy. Yes take the job that’s on offer.

helibirdcomp · 13/05/2025 06:45

Factor in savings made by not commuting would reduce difference in salary too. Plus quality of life improves not commuting plus more time for yourself seems like a win to me especially if your health is uncertain

loveawineloveacrisp · 13/05/2025 06:38

I would still try to negotiate if I were you. But is it fully remote? I just took a £5k pay cut for a fully remote job Vs my previous job which was hybrid.

IwasDueANameChange · 12/05/2025 23:21

the role has salary bandings: so they can’t offer any more.

I wish more people would argue against this as its total bollocks. You can always offer more if you need to even where there are bandings. Ive seen it loads.

Ways it happens

  • a job simply gets rebanded when candidates (men!) refuse to accept poor pay
  • men tend to successfully insist on going in top of band while women believe its "impossible".

HR teams often create rules like no promotions within x months of joining, no pay rises exceeding X% etc. I have seen exceptions made for all the rules going.

Bitchesbelike · 12/05/2025 23:16

CleverButScatty · 12/05/2025 22:01

Can you work remotely in the new job? Given how far the cities are from your home that's a major pro.

Sorry! Wrong post !

nottheplan · 12/05/2025 22:31

I would definitely take it and see how it goes.

minny80 · 12/05/2025 22:02

Take the job and keep looking if the salary reduction feels too much of a compromise, for some odd reason it’s much easier to look for a job if you already have one Envy

CleverButScatty · 12/05/2025 22:01

Can you work remotely in the new job? Given how far the cities are from your home that's a major pro.