Which job would you prefer?

[Raella50]

Job A:
1 hour commute from home (often more in traffic)
Fancy title and lots of kudos with colleagues.
Familiar large company.
Mon - Fri 8-5pm some travelling on weekends (not much)
56k/ year

Job B:
5 minutes from home.
Much less fancy title.
Small company.
Mon - Fri 7- 3pm, no travelling.
49k/ year

The day-to-day job role is very similar! Just one has more status than the other.

I currently have job A but have been offered job B, which I think is a much better option for me. However, I’ve told a few friends about it and they seem to think I’m mad for dropping salary and status for the sake of a commute.

Honestly, would you go for job B of you were in the same position?

No contest, job B. The difference is £7k less in pay but crucially you'll gain time. By the sounds of it you will be getting up and leaving the house at the same time but job B is only a 5 minute commute - is that on foot or by car? You could possibly cycle which adds another positive too. Think of the fuel savings even if it ia a 5 minute car commute. Also you could potentially factor in if there's a bonus or do they give annual pay rises? In a few years you could be back up over £50k with a few 2% pay rises. I took a job which was £3k less a few years ago and am so glad. I can work from home, no commute apart from occasionally. Makes a big difference to family life.

B

I'd go for Job B.

Thanks everyone, I just wanted to check I’m not going mad!!!

I’m married with nursery age DC and DH is very keen for me to take option B too, for ease really. I could move back into a similar large company at a later point but perhaps not the same one. It would really help with he kids once they’re at school with shorter hours but it will be strange to step down from my position.

Can I just add unless your partner is on over £50k you'll get your child benefit again on job b!

100% B- the salary difference once you factor in the tax/travel cost isn't that much different tbh

B

B

Job B - no question at all

5 minute commute - the hours you’ll save in travelling will be so worth it!

B all the way

Another adding my voice to 'Job B'

Definitely b, you save 2 hours a day. I can't be bothered to do the maths but that's got to be worth more than 7k.

100% Job B because of the significant increase in time at home / doing whatever you like. It sounds ideal!
Any scope for discussing your current salary and requesting a higher salary with Job B?

B - absolutely no question

Thank you all. I think Optipn B will be a good thing, it’s just not an easy decision. I don’t have anything negative to say abot Job A other than the commute and they treat me really well. My parents are not keen, I think they’re disappointed in me losing a prestigious job title. It will be better for us though.

A..,you will miss the perks with a large company..I made a similar move and regretted it immediately...stay where you are content with salary and title...

Having read your update about the kids then I would absolutely go with B!

I think it depends what you want in the longer term....b is no doubt easier in the short term and for not much less money so I can see why it's very tempting. But will it hurt your career prospects long term? And how much do you care about that?

B

Job B every time 👍 the amount you’re losing in salary is more than worth it in the time you’re gaining. Instead of being home at gone 6.00 you can be back at 3.15! Bliss!

If you already have job A I’d stay. A bird in the hand and all that. You could hate other job. Only ever move for more money better job title or if you are seriously unhappy

Could you change hours a bit with job A. Flexi or a day a week from home?

Don’t move. You’ll hate it

I'd still choose A.

You have comfort and security there, possibility of progression. We are all different but I'd feel uncomfortable taking on a job that might be the same but could be considered lower value. I'd worry that I'd never get a job as good as job A again and job B would be somewhere I'd end up stuck in or worse if anything went wrong then my next job would be even less than job B. I'd also wonder why I'd be the one in my relationship taking on a different job because of the children, why couldn't my partner do it instead, why couldn't I just keep working where I am, why is my partner keen for me to change change jobs but not them, would I be expected to take on a greater and unfair share of housework and childcare because my job has a smaller commute.