Which job would you go for?

[RS1987]

The job role is exactly the same.

1. new location but part of a wider company I already work for and love. Am used to the way of working and love the larger company ethos. Early finish (2:30) one day every 6-8 weeks. 30 minute drive each way on a good day. £7k less per year than option 2 (but still more than I’m on now).
2. different company, but one I worked for years ago (different location to where I worked before). Liked it but not nearly as much as my current one in terms of the day to day. 3 minute drive or 15 minute walk from my house. £7k a year more than other option.

For context, both are promotions. Current role I have is 40 minute drive each way. I have 2 KS2 children if that’s helps sway.

thanks for the input!

Role 2, mostly because of the commute. A 15 minute walk to work is the dream.

Role 2. You know you don't hate it and journey makes a huge difference. Plus the salary!

Thanks so much! I’m swaying that way - it’s just the fact I like the day to day of job 1, a bit less unknown…

Consider the difference in your package, ie redundancy pay, life insurance etc years ago I would have gone for option 2 but now after being made redundant twice and moving into a really different company that I’ve not enjoyed I would go for option 1

Does option 1 have any other benefits that option 2 doesn't? More holidays, flexible working, employer pension contributions, bonus etc?
Otherwise option 2 seems better

They are schools in multi academy trusts so both have the same holidays to the day and pensions to the letter as well as the same job security! However, your reasons for option 1 are powerful @keepingsanityand that is what is giving me pause.

Ultimately it will be whichever one makes you happiest. Get a coin, make tails role 1, heads role 2, flip it and whilst it's in the air think about which side you want to see, heads or tails and there's your answer

I agree with option 2 which would be my choice because of the short commute. If other benefits (insurance, holidays, security, flexibility) are on a par then I would go for it.

I’d go for option 1 because it’s clear from what you’ve written, that you love it.
Yes it’s less money than option 2 but still more than what you’re on now.
If they’re both schools, I also think it’s good to live further away so that you’re not regularly seen in Tesco picking up your bottle of wine etc! Lots of teachers at my old school did this. I literally lived a few minutes walk away and even had pupils of the school living next door to me. Picture hanging your washing out in the garden and having said children standing looking over the fence at you and saying, ‘Hello Mrs Rainbowstardrops!’ Bloody annoying! 😂

Option 1, being on a good team makes a huge difference, 7k extra sounds good but what is it after tax etc? Also a 30 minute drive sounds like good build up/decompressing time, I have a 20 minute drive to work and nice to have that time to collect my thoughts before work and chill listening to my audio book on the way home

I'd go for 2 because of the journey. You can walk so don't need to worry if anything happens to your car or the weather isn't good to drive.

Very reassuring.

These replies are so helpful, thank you!