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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find salary offered an insult?

508 replies

Willowtree5 · 16/10/2025 14:20

As part of a restructure, I have been asked if I would take on three direct reports (I currently don’t manage anyone, but have in the past - big pull of current role was no line management responsibility).

I said I’d consider it - whilst I know I can manage people, it does add to my workload and the ‘mental load’ of dealing with all the crap around sickness/absence, 1:1’s etc.

My manager said she’d establish what additional uplift to my salary would be possible and let me know.

They’ve come back with an offer of £125,000 (current salary pre bonuses £105,000) which I find frankly insulting given the workload this would add.

AIBU to tell them to stuff it?

OP posts:
Canle1905 · 16/10/2025 14:44

The headteacher of my school doesn't make £100,000 and he is responsible for 2000 pupils and about 250 staff. You might be a casualty in the next restructuring.

Teado · 16/10/2025 14:44

I think it’s an ok uplift for managing three people (unless they’re intent on handing you three “problem” staff and asking you to manage them out) but presumably you can negotiate if you disagree.

Justanotheruser2 · 16/10/2025 14:43

I'd say it was reasonable, but I suspect your current taxable salary is below £100k. If you have children you'll lose the tax free childcare and 30 hours eligibility going over, plus hitting the higher tax rate.

OMGitsnotgood · 16/10/2025 14:43

I’ve managed people in the past (38 st one point in a professional environment), and 20k extra for managing 3 people seems totally reasonable. It sounds more like you’re not a natural people manager and would find it too stressful. The money isn’t the issue here I think. Do those people a favour and turn it down.

Original poster
Willowtree5 · 16/10/2025 14:43

sosorryimnotsorry · 16/10/2025 14:40

Nobody needs over £100k sorry YABU. I would expect anyone over £100k to be having huge responsibilities including managing people. You are just being greedy

Have you tried living in London as a single person with nursery age kids?

OP posts:
GasPanic · 16/10/2025 14:42

Suppose it depends what you want out of life.

But on the face of it if you are not interested in managing people then it hardly seems worth it.

Maybe you could suggest taking it on on a 6 month basis and seeing how it works out with an option to go back to your old job and pay if it turns out to be a nightmare.

LlynTegid · 16/10/2025 14:41

You have a different perception of the world from me. I'd bite someone's hand off unless any of the people were really unpleasant and/or useless and having to be managed out.

PlaceIntheClouds · 16/10/2025 14:41

£20k to manage a 3 people an insult???

Are you taking the piss?

sosorryimnotsorry · 16/10/2025 14:40

Nobody needs over £100k sorry YABU. I would expect anyone over £100k to be having huge responsibilities including managing people. You are just being greedy

Thingyfanding1 · 16/10/2025 14:39

Not an insult. It seems reasonable to me but I would ask for a bit more.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 16/10/2025 14:38

I think it’s a fair enough uplift for managing three people, and if you’re managing fine on your current salary I’d put it all in your pension to avoid the tax hit.

Northernlights19 · 16/10/2025 14:37

Some people really live in a different world financially. If you want to do it, do it. But clearly you don't want to manage people so don't! No one benefits from having a manager who isn't interested in managing them. It sounds like they'd be better off with someone else.

NotSayingBotBut · 16/10/2025 14:37

As PP said, on paper it sounds reasonable but they've shoved you right in the middle of the 60% tax trap!

Unless you fancy dropping your pay rise into a pension pot it's just not worth it for something you clearly don't want to do.

user593 · 16/10/2025 14:34

It isn’t an insulting offer, it just sounds like it’s not something you want to do, so decline.

Andprettygood · 16/10/2025 14:32

big pull of current role was no line management responsibility).

Then for their sake and your sake, decline

Whyherewego · 16/10/2025 14:32

On the face of it that is a very decent uplift for managing a few people. But I dont know what is normal in your industry.

As @wallcarpets correctly said though, it is very little post tax. Is there another concession that may make it more worthwhile?

JustReacher · 16/10/2025 14:32

It's only 3 people and a generous increase for that. Suck it up.

Andprettygood · 16/10/2025 14:31

Have you had precise clarity re what it would actually involve?

MasterBeth · 16/10/2025 14:30

A massive insult. I'd quit. How are they? Twenty grand to manage three whole people!

MiddleAgedDread · 16/10/2025 14:30

A 20% increase to manage 3 people sounds generous to me! Assuming your workload will be adjusted accordingly so they're not actually expecting you to do this on top of your "day job"?
Also what happens if you don't accept it? Is there a risk you get "restructured"?

Wallcarpets · 16/10/2025 14:30

In that salary band you wouldn’t get much more take home lag at all… as you lose your personal allowance above £100,000, so it’s essentially a 60% tax. Painful!

im on a similar salary to you now, with no line management. I would think about that offer if for £125k if I had to manage people, but only if it was going to lead to career progression in the near future.

the difference in take home pay would be minimal due to tax, so I’d have to really want the job.

LittleMy77 · 16/10/2025 14:29

At that salary you’ll lose all your personal allowance, so that + the increase in income will mean you’ll take a huge hit on net pay. Think I saw somewhere it was = to 62% tax

YourPeppyAmberTraybake · 16/10/2025 14:28

I think it sounds a really decent rise and it could lead to career progression.

My DH managed 150 people and earned 185k including his bonus.

travailtotravel · 16/10/2025 14:28

Honestly, It's a good offer. So either accept it, or don't. No drama, no being insulted. Just be factual and decline.

Kuretake · 16/10/2025 14:26

Seems ok as an uplift but obviously up to you if you think it's worth it. I do find managing people a pain honestly so can see your dilemma but I think you're wrong to be insulted by the offer.

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