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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To reduce my income hugely?!

18 replies

Confusedandfrightened · 30/05/2018 11:58

I have been offered a new role in my dream job, unfortunately though its only fixed term and 30hrs instead of 37.5hrs. The role that I interviewed with went to someone else, they offered me their second role and i really dont know what to do. I think the main worry I have is that it was already going to be a large pay cut from my previous role, and I was ok with it when it was full time, and permanent, but now I really dont know what to do? AIBU to my DD and myself to reduce my pay drastically for my dream job?

OP posts:

KirstenRaymonde · 30/05/2018 12:00

What are the progression opportunities for the job? Will you be doing the same thing for years or will you be able to move up? Is there a possibility it will become permanent? Will your travel cost more? The same?

Storm4star · 30/05/2018 12:02

If you can still pay housing, food and bills reasonably comfortably, then go for it! Everything else is just "frills" IMO. If you take the second role, then it is quite possible the main person might leave at some point or move into a different role, which means you could then get that main role. Anything can happen. If it's a dream job then I think you should do it.

MereDintofPandiculation · 30/05/2018 12:04

Start by looking at what the practical effect of the pay cut would be. What specific things would you no longer be able to afford? Until you know that, you don't know whether the benefits of the new job would be sufficient to outweigh the losses incurred by the drop in pay.

What happens when the fixed term comes to an end? Would you be able to get another job in the field?

How much do you dislike your current job? If you move from a job your don't like to one you do, the improvement in your spirits will overspill into home life as a non-quantifiable benefit to both yourself and your DD.

Original poster

Confusedandfrightened · 30/05/2018 12:13

Its an NHS job and its to cover maternity leave, there may be other roles coming up but obviously with no guarantee? Theres always the chance that the maternity leave wont return but thats too big a risk for me to think about and theres probably a huge recruitment route to permanently cover the role if that did happen?
Ive been in my current role for over 10 years, I work every day with three days off a month. The job has drained me to my lowest limits but I am determined to find a new role that will make me happy again. Im just worried that Ill go for the first thing that comes up, but this is different in that it is my dream role

OP posts:

Nb65988 · 31/05/2018 05:18

Go for it it's worth the risk as u just keep applying for all the jobs u want I'm nhs as u Will have an advantage at interview ure already working for them and ure tax credit goes up if u get it x

BrieAndChilli · 31/05/2018 05:23

Go for it. I took a 9 month maternity cover job and they didn’t come back so I now have the job permanently!

Obviously finances play a part but sometimes (unless you aren’t going to be able to afford to live) others things are more important and overall happiness is better than working a stressful job for more money

Slartybartfast · 31/05/2018 05:54

Does it reduce your income drastically? 7.5 hours per week? Have you done the maths?

Italiangreyhound · 31/05/2018 05:55

If your current role a permanent one or not?

If it is permanent, I would say to be cautious.

If the new job is not permanent and is lower hours and less pay, is it still your dream job?

In some ways a slightly lower wage/salary, if you can still live on it, would worry me less than the fact it is not permanent. I've been in my company for years and having seen others struggle to find work and the affects of that on their situation, I'd really want to know that when the contract ran out there was a realistic chance of it being renewed or of my finding something else - if I were giving up a permanent position that is.

Do you know why you did not get the role you wanted and why this role is only fixed term? Might you get the full package dream job elsewhere?

It also depends where you live, a big city in a prosperous area might mean you find a new job easily. But if you are in an area with few jobs you might want to think how wise it is to give up a permanent contract for a fixed term one.

However, if your current role is also fixed term or temporary, I would maybe be tempted to take it, if you can live on the salary, and be really to look hard for a step up if/when you needed to.

Good luck.

Italiangreyhound · 31/05/2018 05:59

Oh, I just saw this....
"Ive been in my current role for over 10 years, I work every day with three days off a month. The job has drained me to my lowest limits but I am determined to find a new role that will make me happy again. Im just worried that Ill go for the first thing that comes up, but this is different in that it is my dream role"

Really three days off a month is not enough, I would really be tempted to get out of that job! Sounds tough.

Whatever you do, good luck.

confusedandemployed · 31/05/2018 06:19

3 days off a month is more than just not enough, it's illegal.

WhataLovelyPear · 31/05/2018 06:20

I wouldn't worry about the money as long as you can afford the essentials. I worked part time until a couple of years ago. It meant we didn't have a lot of disposable income, but I had more time with my children. It was definitely worth it.

Italiangreyhound · 31/05/2018 06:24

@confusedandemployed "3 days off a month is more than just not enough, it's illegal." That's a good point, how are they getting away with it, @Confusedandfrightened (assuming you are in the UK).

Slartybartfast · 31/05/2018 06:28

However this job is 9 months, maternity cover.
I dont think that is secure enough.
There will be other positions.

stressedoutpa · 31/05/2018 07:14

What type of job is it? Money and hours aside, are you excited about the opportunity?

There is lots of movement within the NHS (DH works for them). It doesn't seem to be frowned upon to do a job for a year or so and move on. Also seems possible to do one or two jobs. If you are starting at the bottom of the bank your money will go up. If it's one of the lower bands then it will be going up quite a bit in the next year or so.

You could look at this as a stepping stone into the NHS. Lots of opportunities and training if you want so there is no need to think you are stuck on those hours and salary forever.

stressedoutpa · 31/05/2018 07:15

bottom of the band

Original poster

Confusedandfrightened · 02/06/2018 00:15

Thanks for all the advice, the role was a yet log maternity cover school nurse role and I was going to take it until they said I’d need to start at the bottom of the band for the role. This meant dropping even more money and I just couldn’t do it.
My three days off a month are due to me being on call for most of the other weekends and evenings, I work remotely when I’m on call but yes still just three days off a month, hence why the pay is better than in an Nhs role. The problem I have is finding a job I’ll be happy in again with less money, I know it’ll be difficult but I’m hoping the advantages of being at home more and having less stress will override the negatives.

OP posts:

Original poster

Confusedandfrightened · 02/06/2018 00:15

Year long!!

OP posts:

Original poster

Confusedandfrightened · 02/06/2018 00:19

Italiangreyhound - the other candidate had more particular experience in children’s safeguarding than my recent experience, which of course is fair enough.

OP posts:

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