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Original poster

£70k job offer - help

79 replies

bonnefemme · 01/04/2023 20:18

I applied for a job. It's a hybrid position. It's wfh and 1-2 days/week in the office. There was no salary indication on the ad but similar jobs are advertised for £50k-£60k.

I went through a lengthy recruitment process. They asked me what salary I wanted and I asked for £70k. I thought they would negotiate and we could agree on £60k-£65k. But they agreed to £70k!!!

The working hours are 9 to 6 with an hour lunch. All my other jobs have always been 9 to 5 or 5.30.

What should I take into account to make the right decision?

OP posts:
Original poster
bonnefemme · 01/04/2023 20:40

The hours are not flexible I'm afraid. I think this has made me realise that I value time with my children more. I won't take the job.

OP posts:
teneastereggs · 01/04/2023 20:40

Ah I see OP. Well if you're only in the office 1-2 days a week that sounds fine? Could you get a nanny and see the children in your lunch hour when you wfh? Or ask to do the job 4 days a week?

HVPRN · 01/04/2023 20:42

Personally, the work/life balance is not balanced enough for me.

You could decline, ask for less hours, or ask for shorter hours on the commute days and make up the time on the working from home days, if an option?

Or could you reduce your hours after being there a while?

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teneastereggs · 01/04/2023 20:42

Rather than not take it why dont you ask them for part time first?

Royalbloo · 01/04/2023 20:47

I'd ask for longer hours some days and maybe shorter the other days? They obviously want you. All they can do is say no.

runforyourdog · 01/04/2023 20:50

Employers are normally quite flexible in terms of lunch etc. I've just started a new job that is 1.5 hours+ away 3 days a week. I leave at 6 (so don't see the kids in the Morning) but leave at 4 on the dot so I'm always home for 5.30 - 6. And obviously there are days at home.

I'd be surprised at anywhere that enforced 9-6pm. So would chat to then first.

NonJeNeRegretteRien · 01/04/2023 20:51

bonnefemme · 01/04/2023 20:40

The hours are not flexible I'm afraid. I think this has made me realise that I value time with my children more. I won't take the job.

I think you should explain your predicament to the hiring manager/HR whoever you are going through and see how they react - you might be surprised. People are a lot more flexible and will help you - you’re the candidate they want so they will problem solve with you. There’s a massive skills shortage at the moment they are much more likely to make a couple of compromises to have the right person in the role.

vivaespanaole · 01/04/2023 20:53

Is it the sort of job where you are junior enough for someone to be micro managing you to work your exact hours?

Seems unlikely for 70k. Is it a modern workplace/industry that is likely to be more progressive and task focused as oppose to time driven?

If the answer to these were no I'd not give it another thought. I haven't worked my contracted hours to the letter in my last few jobs.

What was the vibe when they were selling you the job. Did they give it the big talk on family friendly and flexible?

Rainbowshit · 01/04/2023 20:53

I wouldn't take the job with that commute.

Original poster
bonnefemme · 01/04/2023 20:54

NonJeNeRegretteRien · 01/04/2023 20:51

I think you should explain your predicament to the hiring manager/HR whoever you are going through and see how they react - you might be surprised. People are a lot more flexible and will help you - you’re the candidate they want so they will problem solve with you. There’s a massive skills shortage at the moment they are much more likely to make a couple of compromises to have the right person in the role.

Show quote history

It is a very niche job. Thank you for this, I would not even have thought of asking to be honest.

OP posts:
JKTrolling · 01/04/2023 21:05

Are you seriously asking if working an extra 30 mins a day is worth being paid an extra £10k????

God knows what your employer is in for. Do them a favour and turn the job down.

Wfhwannabe · 01/04/2023 21:08

The 'at managers discretion' would have me running a mile. That's always meant 'no', but we put it in there to get you here, in my book.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/04/2023 21:12

Why did you apply if the hours and location didn't suit? Such a waste of everyone's time.

For that increase in salary, could you move closer, or do your office days in a 3 day block once a fortnight and stay over a couple of nights each time?

GirlOfTudor · 01/04/2023 21:13

Blimey. I wish I could get a job offer with £70k. Or even close to it!!

Can you negotiate the days in the office with your line manager? 1.5 hrs each way is an awfully long commute. So you'd leave for work at around 7:30am and not get home until 7:30pm? Not considering any delays?

junebirthdaygirl · 01/04/2023 21:24

It's the commute that's the issue. If you finish at 6 and we're at home or a half hour away it would be fine. But 3 hours a day travelling is too much. Maybe the fact you got this job will up your confidence to apply for a better paying job near home. I wouldn't do it with that commute. You will be perpetually tired.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 01/04/2023 21:28

On relection I would tell them to stuff it up their arse. Say 70K was a just a joke and you're surprised that that didn't see that. It's obvious with those draconian hours and miserly lunch break you'd need at least double that.

But that's what I would say, although perhaps that why I don't have a job...🤔

WWGDD · 01/04/2023 21:29

If you haven't signed the contract yet, get the days/hours you want in the contract. It's all a negotiation at this stage. But I would take the job.

endoftheworldniteclub · 01/04/2023 21:36

Depends on what your partner’s hours are.
Annoying that you have no respect for having wasted everyone’s time.

mrsbyers · 01/04/2023 21:38

How much extra take home considering tax ? Childcare costs increase and that’s a nasty commute - personally it would be a no from me

23usrnm · 01/04/2023 21:41

Ask for a 4 day week. They can only say no and it sounds like you’re going to walk away anyway.
I’ve done this with a job offer before and we agreed a 4 day week, it worked out fine.

Wittow · 01/04/2023 21:45

70k is a significant salary... So I'd expect a fairly competent, confident person. From the tone of your posts, I'm not getting that sense from you.

interested to know what sort of job is it?

TitterYeeNot · 01/04/2023 21:45

Hmm. What industry is this in?

Fandangoes · 01/04/2023 21:49

Would it work for you if you only took half an hour lunch and finished at 5.30? Or let them know that the hours don’t work for you in reflection and ask them if there is any flexibility?

Kitcaterpillar · 01/04/2023 21:49

I wouldn't say you can afford a nanny in the south-east on 70k, unless there's a drip that your husband has a large salary.

EstherHazy · 01/04/2023 21:49

Don't decline without stating your needs to accept the position- they clearly want you after lengthy process, enough not to even try to negotiate down the salary. So there's likely a little room for manoevre?

If they can't agree to your needs (sometimes flexing for one person opens a can of worms) you can politely decline, but it is fully reasonable to ask. Also - though it may not help you directly - it sends a message to the company about their practices and what they might need to move towards in the future to recruit talent that includes mums like you.