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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take the money and go?

114 replies

Coastalcommand · 23/02/2017 10:38

I've been in the same job since leaving university and I have always loved it.
In that time I've worked my way up to a good level of pain albeit with some fairly unpredictable at always very long hours. Given the current instability around Brexit my job is starting to look less secure, as is the whole sector I work for. For the second time in six months we are all being offered voluntary redundancy.
I'm currently on maternity leave and absolutely loving it, so much so that I've been dreading putting my baby into nursery when I go back to work.
There's also the issue that my husband and I both work long and often fairly antisocial hours so when I go back there will be a fair bit of juggling in terms of childcare and our little one will be in nursery from 7am-6.30pm five days a week.
The voluntary redundancy offer is really quite generous, over a years wages for me. I am tempted to take it, mostly because I'd love to spend more time with our baby but also because I suspect the next time redundancy looms (and I think it will) it may not be voluntary and the terms may not be as good.
We keep hearing that similar firms are now only offering statutory redundancy packages rather than our legacy terms.
Given that nursery fees would take up more than half my wages and we could live on my husband's wages (albeit not as easily) AIBU to take the offer?
Given that my industry is contracting I would be v unlikely to get a similar job. My plan would be to use the year I'd be paid to develop transferable skills and try to launch my own business in future.
Am I being stupid to leave a well paid job in this climate?

OP posts:
Original poster
Coastalcommand · 23/02/2017 10:39

Pay not pain. Although sometimes pain!

OP posts:
LilacSpatula · 23/02/2017 10:45

Pooh, hard one. You desperately want to stay at home and the universe has conspired to make that a reality. I think I'd be very, very tempted to take it and worry later about what you'll do next. That may sound silly but it seems like a great opportunity to look after baby and work out what to do next, which is kinda amazing. Good luck no matter what you decide!

LilacSpatula · 23/02/2017 10:46

Didn't mean Pooh, meant 'Ooh' Smile

Rainbowqueeen · 23/02/2017 10:49

I'd sit down and crunch the numbers.

Then I'd consider how secure your DHs job is, whether you want to have more children, what your 5 year plan is, how realistic your plan to learn new skills is, what your back up plan would be.

But overall no I don't think you are crazy to consider it

Nocabbageinmyeye · 23/02/2017 10:50

I’d absolutely take it

PoisonousSmurf · 23/02/2017 10:50

You know the answer. Take the money! Time with your young family is far more important! This is a golden opportunity. Brexit could open up lots of new avenues. Think big and be bold!

Star
KoalaDownUnder · 23/02/2017 10:51

I'd take it, without question.

HermioneJeanGranger · 23/02/2017 10:53

Take it! I would, no questions.

Leatherboundanddown · 23/02/2017 10:54

In your situation I would take it. Work everything out, tighten your belts and stretch out the redundancy money as long as possible or invest it somewhere to generate a monthly income from it (I know buy to lets are not as simple nowadays but could still look into?)

Enjoy your time.

Lugeeta · 23/02/2017 10:55

I would take it but I would enjoy the first 6 months and then really seriously look for a job before the redundancy money ended.

newmumwithquestions · 23/02/2017 10:56

Gosh hard.
To give the other side of the coin I left a decent job I enjoyed to have fertility treatment (I couldn't do the treatment and fulfil the travelling expectations of my job). I contracted whilst doing the treatment and pregnant and it's worked well and I've loved having more time with the kids.
BUT now there is less work in what I do and I'm now struggling to get a new contract, or a permanent part time role (if I'd stayed in my permanent job id have been able to go part time but to get taken on part time seems impossible). I'm looking at retraining but that won't be for a year or two. It's permanently in the back of my mind.

Overall from what you've said that you may get made redundant anyway I'd be tempted to take it.

SparkleTwinkleGoldGlitter · 23/02/2017 10:56

What does your dh think? Is he happy to be the only income when the money runs out?

For me personally I wouldn't take it but I love my work and I've gone back from maternity early as I missed it so much but in your situation I don't think your crazy to consider it though

Pissedoffhousewife · 23/02/2017 11:00

I would take it! I left a highly stressful job after having DC1 and two years later I'm still at home and have just had DC2. I have started a business from home and I haven't regretted it for a second (despite my username!) Go for it and good luck!

TheProblemOfSusan · 23/02/2017 11:00

Problem is that Brexit is going to make a lot of people put of work and increase the competition - but it does sound a lot like this is going to happen to you eventually anyway and those are very generous terms.

I'd want to sit down with someone and work out the actual sum you'll get carefully, so including tax, etc, and find out what other support is being offered - are they offering career coaching? Will you get the rest of your maternity pay on top? Paid out holidays you didn't use?

But your plan is sensible of you take the money - definitely have a clear time line about retraining and getting a new role, but I'd be very tempted to go for it.

Perhaps become an international treaty negotiator? Possibly the only job about to boom...

namechangedtoday15 · 23/02/2017 11:05

I am 12 years down the line from you, as are most of my friends.

I would think very carefully about it - don't get me wrong I'm not saying don't do it but think long and hard not just about the short term benefits but the long term consequences of giving up a relatively well paid job and your career path.

My friend who was in marketing took redundancy at the same point (just after Number 1 and quickly got pregnant with number 2). Then social media happened, marketing was turned on its head and she has really struggled to get back into it. She's probably at a lower level now than she was 12 years ago and she's reporting to tech savvy 20 somethings (despite being in her 40s!)! She doesn't regret having spent so long at home, but she does question "what if?".

My situation was slightly different - I had saved all my maternity pay with the intention of potentially not going back (I was having a full year - 6 months was paid and 6 months was unpaid) and just as my maternity leave was ending, my H was off work with a critical illness for 3 months - during which time he received just statutory sick pay (he did have insurance cover but this was a pre-existing condition so was excluded). When your household income drops from £5k+ a month to £65 a week sick pay, its like watching your savings trickle down a grid.

So I don't want to be unduly negative, but consider all eventualities before you make a decision.

Original poster
Coastalcommand · 23/02/2017 11:08

Thank you so much for your advice. You've given me lots to think about.
My husband thinks I should take the offer. He's worried how we would juggle our hours if I went back. But he's more relaxed about things, whereas I'm a worrier.
I'm concerned that while we could manage now, what if mortgage rates go up (our current term ends in two years).
We'd love another baby but it's very unlikely as it took us 8 years to conceive our LO.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 23/02/2017 11:09

I'd definitely take the money. Take control of your own destiny raher than waiting for stuff.

Good luck. I bet you won't regret it Thanks

Helbelle75 · 23/02/2017 11:15

I'd take it.
I'm about to go off on maternity for a year, and have no desire at all to return to work!

LizzieMacQueen · 23/02/2017 11:15

If you have skills where you think you could retrain (teaching perhaps) then I would take the offer of redundancy - concentrate on your family for now with a view to keep some options open.

(BTW did you see the thread from a woman unexpectantly pg with her 2nd, 9 weeks after her first was born having had a long period of infertility?)

PoohBearsHole · 23/02/2017 11:15

Do you know what you would like to do as another option for your next career?

Being offered a generous package is incredibly tempting and I would be inclined to take it. Then immediately start looking at what jobs are out there so that you ktnow what skills you should focus on to learn.

You may find that being away from your baby, long days etc will be crippling if your heart isn't really in it.

Would the package start after your mat leave finishes or immediately?

Still I'd be tempted and would probably go for it. Especially if in the next round they feel that they can get rid of you because you aren't as able to commit to the longer hours as your colleagues. I know its sexist but lets face it, it happens.

Redpony1 · 23/02/2017 11:17

I'd crunch the numbers.

If they work, take the money but crack on with expanding skill base straight away to put you in a good position to start up alone sooner rather than later and have money left for contingency?

Carollocking · 23/02/2017 11:17

Take it,
Best thing you'll do is set up yourself with no employers to control you.might not make so much money at the beginning but it will be all yours and your satisfaction of doing it alone.

Sundance01 · 23/02/2017 11:18

Bitoutofpractice you beat me to it. I was going to say its better to do things in your own time and under your control than wait and be forced.

I do not understand why any couple who can manage on one person's salary both work when they have small children - that time is so precious enjoy it while you can.

Take the time to think about what you would like to do long term - no one has any idea what the impact of Brexit maybe so there is no point worrying about it.

You are really very lucky to be in this position of being able to make this choice - do not waste it!

NuclearSwan · 23/02/2017 11:20

I'd take it

namechangedtoday15 · 23/02/2017 11:20

Having read your update OP, I was also going to refer to the thread Lizzie is talking about - lady with 9 week old baby pregnant again after having sex twice after years of struggling to conceive with number 1!