Working at a local authority

[Powergower]

I'm a lawyer with 10 year plus pqe. I've been offered a job in a local authority. The pay is a lot less than I get paid now. My current firm are good but the ages levels are high and I really hate the job. It's the same stuff all the time, it's difficult and complex, the billing and time posting targets mean there's no breaks during the day. I'm just generally fed up.

The new role I've been offered in the local authority is great, really dynamic with lots of autonomy and interesting projects. However the pay is crap and I feel like I'm going backwards career wise. However they have a great flex policy and the pension looks good. I feel ready to slow down a bit but just so scared of moving in case I hate it. The crazy thing is I'm not money motivated at all, but I've not gone down in pay when moving and feel disappointed in myself. Any local government out there? I need to let the LA know this week and I'll not sleeping with worry about what to do.

I've been looking in house for 6 months and there's nothing in my specialism. And the more I think about the more I'm ready for public sector flexibility and flexi days. I think some of my friends and colleagues will be shocked at a move to the LA.

Any advice?

I'm sure there will be plenty of negatives, and whilst I have enjoyed private practice it really has started to make me miserable. It's a difficult decision because my team are lovely and unusually for big firm working, my boss allows us to have a lot of flexibility. I will miss working with her, she's inspiring and dynamic.

The LA I work for, SE and commutable to Big City has recruitment and retention issues regarding solicitors. So any solicitor we offer a job to negotiates the salary and we have had to introduce market supplements and to recruit at point 3/4 of the grade. Have you asked if they would consider appointing you at the top of the grade?

I do this. Big authority - very very busy, but I love the job. I have lots of responsibility and autonomy. Flexible working is encouraged and flexi time generally used. I've not worked in a big private firm so can't compare but for example we have billable hours targets but can use the year to get them, so if short cos of leave we can make them up the month after. If you work out of hours, which I do have to do sometimes, it is appreciated and you are thanked for this. Pay structures are rigid though and you won't get paid more for doing a good job like in private practice. It doesn't suit everyone but i couldn't imagine working anywhere else.

Beans I've told them I can only take the job if I get the pay at the very top of the pay band. They know it's a massive pay cut for me and have yet to confirm the exact pay although they sent me pay bands which was not much use. I don't think I'll have the courage to ask about market supplements but should have done so early as the role is niche.

What decision did you make in the end?