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AIBU?

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Original poster

To turn down £70k salary

104 replies

Plonker85 · 24/04/2018 20:22

I’ve been headhunted for a job with a property developer. They’ve offered me £70k plus benefits plus likely 4 day week (I have young children).
My current salary is £50k with local government and its flexible, I can leave early to pick kids. And I know the job inside out.
It’s such a tempting offer but I just want a work life balance and not have to prove myself over again by starting a new job.
Am I mad to turn this down?

OP posts:
Snowman123 · 24/04/2018 21:43

Most employers are fairly flexible these days - are you sure the 70k employer wouldn't offer similar flexibility?

Or would your current employer match the salary? Or at least increase your current salary.

frogsoup · 24/04/2018 21:43

I was just about to say that as well about a 70k salary Barbara. 70k of luxuries? Shock That's an amazingly naive point of view, it's like some people have never even conceived of the idea that in some parts of the SE it can cost 1500+ quid to rent a bog standard 3-bed terrace, and up to 5k a year to commute to work, plus add in childcare costs on top and you aren't exactly buying any yachts! I read somewhere that you'd have an equivalent standard of living on a 30k salary in Liverpool as a 60k one in London, and I can totally believe it.

littlepill · 24/04/2018 21:44

Ah shurrup! Come on! Give over

Alwayslumpyporridge · 24/04/2018 21:44

I have just been headhunted too, it’s making me hate my current employer but just about to receive long service annual leave and pension enhancement so it’s hard to leave current job.

It’s difficult, do you know anyone at the new firm?

tillytoodles1 · 24/04/2018 21:48

Better the Devil you know and all that. You might hate the new job.

RidingWindhorses · 24/04/2018 21:55

The job you have is gold dust in terms of being able to leave early. It's very hard to find jobs that combine well with kids. PD job will be higher pressure, potentially longer hours.

I've no idea why people are so envious about money here, I have diddly squat.

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 24/04/2018 21:58

A 1/42 pension Grin

The best I've ever seen is a 1/32 that my client who was a judge earned.

gillybeanz · 24/04/2018 22:04

Sorry, I wasn't being nasty about OP situation.
We are a low income family, but few outgoings and many of the associated costs of working we don't have,
So an extra 50k would be for luxuries as we have the basics covered.

My point being that we are all different and the answers are going to be very different too.

Good luck with your decision OP Thanks
Imagining for one second I was in your position I would stay with the job you have at 50k for a half decent work/ life balance.

boywiththebrokensmile · 24/04/2018 22:11

be careful, i have seen people who are excellent at their current job and move up the ladder to a higher position with more cash and they could not cope. Every job has different pressures, people telling you money is everything are deluded.

Eastie77 · 24/04/2018 22:11

Can't comment on the local govt aspect as I have only ever worked in the private sector but I made the jump from a £50k to £70k role and have 2 small DC so was worried about the impact of my work/life balance on them. It's been fine. I work 4 days a week in the office. Childcare costs remained the same so we are better off. Losing child benefit wasn't an issue as I'd already closed my claim some time ago.

The main down side is I have added responsibilities that include managing a team which is ok but not something I massively enjoy as there is always team drama. The extra money means we can do more with the kids, holidays/treats etc and I'm working the same number of hours as I did when I was on the lower salary. I do not look at or respond to work emails and calls after 6pm or on weekends.

Having said all that, OP if you're unsure (and you don't sound as if you want to move) then stay where you are until your kids are older. The opportunities will still be there.

babydreamer1 · 24/04/2018 22:14

I work for a national company in the same industry and they are very family friendly and my hours are flexible enough that I work from home a lot and will be able to work around family life. Could you do your 4 days over 5 to coincide with school pick up/drop off or would there be an element of childcare involved? You need to calculate your true benefit of taking the new role as at £70k your tax will be in the next bracket and almost half of your raise will be swiped. Also check their policies for aspects relevant to you as they won't be as good on mat leave ect as public sector are. I love my job and couldn't ask for more but wouldn't say it's easy, I manage a large portfolio and regularly have to do extra work in the evening or stay later if needs be. There is also the networking aspect to consider, in my job it's expected and you wouldn't get far with out it, most is at week night evenings but occasional Saturdays too. You need to be realistic for what suits your family now, is around £10k worth it and would you enjoy it?

grumpy4squash · 24/04/2018 22:18

OP, is it £70k for a 4 day week, or pro-rata (compared to £50k for full time)? That could make all the difference.

grumpy4squash · 24/04/2018 22:20

The tax bracket is the same at £50k as £70k, ie both higher earning.

It isn't true as pp say, that tax eats up nearly all of the difference. It's proportional.

RedForFilth · 24/04/2018 22:22

I'd do whichever job I thought I'd enjoy more! My job is very demanding and long hours but poorly paid! However, I absolutely love it! I'm a single mum to a toddler as well but we spend much more of our time as quality time now and I'm much more engaged with him.

boywiththebrokensmile · 24/04/2018 22:23

''I've no idea why people are so envious about money here, I have diddly squat.''

people handle money and lack of it differently, people have different lifestyles-some are content on getting by on little while some always seem to need to be living the high life and hate been on a budget.

OlennasWimple · 24/04/2018 22:25

What's the pension situation? If you are at the beginning of your career, the added contributions could have a really meaningful impact on your ability to enjoy later life

issaflame · 24/04/2018 22:27

People really need to get over the fact that other people are paid more. That's just the way it is.

All the best OP

LOliver123 · 24/04/2018 22:38

I would stay with the 50k in the public sector. A good work balance and flexibility are worth a lot! Good luck with your decision.

gluteustothemaximus · 24/04/2018 22:57

Job enjoyment and flexibility wins every time.

However, being headhunted, tell them that you are considering saying yes, but you love your current job as it’s flexible. See what they say. If they’re not willing to budge, you know they’re not flexible and that could prove hard with little ones. Negotiate is all I’m saying. You never know!

MissEliza · 24/04/2018 23:00

Op my df faced a very similar dilemma thirty years ago. The only difference was he wasn't offered flexible working. He turned it down as he chose job security. The company folded a couple of years later whereas he retired from local government with an excellent deal.

ShamelesslyPlacemarking · 24/04/2018 23:00

Any offer that seems too good to be true usually is.

Maybe I'm a cynic, but the words "property developer" immediately ring alarm bells. In my experience, property developers are notorious for over-promising and under-delivering.

I don't think you're BU at all by turning down more money in favour of less stress. But if you do decide to go for it, make sure everyone is crystal clear on what your role, hours, expectations, etc are. Get it all in writing.

GwenStaceyRocks · 24/04/2018 23:07

You've given too little information for any of us to give worthwhile advice.
However, as someone whose DH is in the property industry, I wouldn't recommend leaving £50k in LA for £70k in the private sector. The benefits are unlikely to be comparable. More commitment would be expected from you. Plus parts of the sector are less secure atm. Depending on where you are in the country, certain areas are under increased scrutiny because of the links between LAs and private companies because of such staff moves.

Chesntoots · 24/04/2018 23:09

I work to live and not the other way round. I know it sounds trite, but it's true.
You have to decide what is best for you and I have learned the hard way that money is not everything

CocoPuffsInGodMode · 24/04/2018 23:11

Another thing to consider is whether there would be a probationary period? I'd be surprised if there wasn't given the salary. There is a risk they decide it's not working out and then you've lost the job. Also, I have read numerous times on MN that employers can sack people within 2 years without giving any particular reason. You'd have to be very confident that these are decent people to work for!

Oly5 · 24/04/2018 23:13

All those people who don’t like anyone earning more than them should get off the thread.
Only you can decide OP. A four day week for 70K sounds great but it depends on the level of pressure