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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take pay cut to do a job I really want and increase working hours with small children

19 replies

Shiraznowplease · 18/05/2018 03:01

I am desperately unhappy in my job, the money is good and I work very much part time but I am extremely stressed and worried about my job even when I am not there. A job has come up which is a basic pay grade job, full time with additional study and for me would earn less full time than I do three days a week now. The biggest downside is it is a fixed term contract (2years). I will find childcare more difficult and expensive but feel that I will be out of a job that is slowly killing me.
Aibu to put my wants before my family?

OP posts:
MoodyTwo · 18/05/2018 03:20

I would! If you can afford it! Go for it

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 18/05/2018 03:47

sometimes i get talked into working for less money. Is this the only option. Often I talk myself into doing courses, that maybe I don't need to do. But sounds interesting. Sometimes it's worth the short term cost, sometimes not. Sometimes we just shuffle stresses.

whiteroseredrose · 18/05/2018 06:37

If you can still cope financially then do it. There's nothing worse than being in a job you hate whatever the pay. Just accept that treats like Starbucks and holidays abroad might be a no no for a few years until your financial situation improves!

rollingonariver · 18/05/2018 06:52

I personally wouldn't, there's no guarantee this job will be better and you'll be working a lot more hours.
Also , taking a pay cut means it's hard to get back to a job that pays more again - you sort of loose your value if that makes sense?

rollingonariver · 18/05/2018 06:53

I personally wouldn't, there's no guarantee this job will be better and you'll be working a lot more hours.
Also , taking a pay cut means it's hard to get back to a job that pays more again - you sort of loose your value if that makes sense?

Peterrabbitscarrots · 18/05/2018 07:07

I would go for it. I’m considering the same thing too, there’s nothing as bad as being in a job you hate. Work stress can make you really ill

That1950sMum · 18/05/2018 07:10

No, You've got small children. They need to come first at the moment.
Can't you look for a different part-time job?

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 18/05/2018 07:11

Think of it as a long term investment OP

You will probably have to work will you are 68 Angry

So taking a change NOW is an investment into being able to do work you enjoy forever

I would anyway Smile

Merryoldgoat · 18/05/2018 07:16

What is causing all the stress? I’d be looking at trying to make changes in my existing job before working more for less. I think you’d regret a change like that.

Middleoftheroad · 18/05/2018 07:17

I wouldn't.
More hours...less pay...small kids and the potential that you may not like this job (the role may change and bring stress. There may be different stress trying to balance the school stuff).

Somersetlady · 18/05/2018 07:20

I woukd take the paycut for the same houra but not 2 extra days a week where I would not get to see my children and have to pay for extra childcare on top of the reduced earnings.

Only you know how you feel though and it sounds like you definitely need to change roles!

BoxsetsAndPopcorn · 18/05/2018 07:25

If the role was permand you could still meet your half of the bills, then for your happiness I'd go for it.

The temp contract would make me uneasy though as you could have no job in two years time.

NeedMoreSleepOrSugar · 18/05/2018 07:25

Can you definitely afford it? Earning less, plus paying more for childcare and the costs associated with working (travel for example)

Personally I wouldn't - no definite gain and a lot of known losses. Can you not hold out and look for something that's at least similar wage and/or similar hours?

Happygolucky009 · 18/05/2018 07:29

Personally I wouldn't ,is your new salary going to allow for additional childcare costs, what about commute times? If your current job is dreadful can you afford to leave with no job to move into? Working full time is no easy option and unless it's a job that you really want with long term opportunities, the cost would be to great for me.

Redact · 18/05/2018 07:30

I don't think I would. I was in a similar position where I was very unhappy in my work environment and considering changing. Now 2 years on things are completely different. We've had a lot of changes, which would have been unthinkable at the time, but they have came about and things have changed for the better.

Yika · 18/05/2018 07:31

I would do it. Is it work that appeals? Unhappiness at work is terribly corrosive to your self-esteem and wellbeing.

Mari50 · 18/05/2018 07:33

Everyone is different and only you know the situation you are in but there is absolutely no way I would have swapped to a less well paid job with more hours and a fixed term contract when my dd was little. If anything at that point I was wanting a higher paid job with less hours. Throw in the additional study and it sounds like a nightmare.
Before I had children my answer would have been very different though.

somewhereovertherain · 18/05/2018 07:33

Do it. In our life oh and I have done similar a number of times. F/T teacher to TA. P/T teacher to charity shop manager. We’ve both done it and always worked out for the better. YANBU.

feral · 18/05/2018 07:36

No wouldn't at this point due to dc. When they're older have another look?

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