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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

24 hours to decide

57 replies

Changeofjob · 09/10/2018 16:40

Sorry posting here for traffic.

Name changed too

I have less than 12 hours to decide whether I want this job.

I work for social services. I earn £39k per year. I love my job however I have done it a long time. I am the top of my ceiling in terms of pay scale and I can’t go any further. There are no job opportunities in the local authority I work in for a senior position.

On Monday I interviewed for a senior post and got it. However it pays £3k less per year and of course it’s more responsibility. I would start at the top of their pay scale (£36k) so my money will not go up. The only perks of the job is I can put senior on my CV and I will able to gain experience here for the future.

I have a DD in FT nursery. I could afford to take a pay cut of £250 per month but it would be tight.

Do I take on more responsibility and stress for less money?

OP posts:
MrTrebus · 09/10/2018 16:42

No that makes no sense. You would go for the same money maybe if having senior on your CV is worth it but for less money with no chance of it increasing? No don't be silly.

MemoryOfSleep · 09/10/2018 16:42

I wouldn't. But ultimately it's only your opinion that matters.

Mayhemmumma · 09/10/2018 16:43

No! Fellow SW here and less money and more stress in a very challenging job does not appeal to me. There are opportunities to get a senior role where I am due to poor staff retention, so I would hold out.
If you love the idea of the new team or role, could you go back and say you can't take the pay cut?

LoadOfRubbish · 09/10/2018 16:43

Oooh difficult.

Is this a senior post in a different LA?

What will be your opportunities in 2 or 3 years time if you take the job?

Congratulations btw!

shapeshifter88 · 09/10/2018 16:43

nope

NotMyCircusMonkeys · 09/10/2018 16:44

I wouldn't do it.

The drop in income wouldn't bother me IF there was a chance to progress, so if you were starting at the bottom of the pay scale I would say go for it. You will end up resenting it in 6 months.

I would keep looking for another opportunity where you have a chance to learn new skills and potentially earn more money.

MulberryPeony · 09/10/2018 16:44

Not if it is just for the title I wouldn’t. How likely are other opportunities, could you shadow the senior roles so you can get experience?

GiveMummyTheWhizzer · 09/10/2018 16:45

Nope I wouldn't do it

Original poster
Changeofjob · 09/10/2018 16:47

Thanks

I asked them to match my salary however they are unable to as it means going out of their pay grade for the role. £36k will be it. It will not change or go higher.

I guess in 2 to 3 years time I could apply for a SW manager post of one was available.

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 09/10/2018 16:48

No. I don't really understand it, either. How does a senior position pay less money? I think you just say to the new job that unless they match your current salary, you won't be moving.

Shoppingwithmother · 09/10/2018 16:48

I would tell the prospective new employer that you would love to do the job, but need to be paid £xxxxx - that amount being more than you get now as it is more work. They may say yes as they want you. If they say no, then you can decline their offer.

Shoppingwithmother · 09/10/2018 16:48

Sorry x-post

Original poster
Changeofjob · 09/10/2018 16:59

@NotMyCircusMonkeys

That’s a good point. My ultimate goal is to be management only I can’t go for a management position unless I have a experience leading other (senior) post first. And their are no senior posts in my current council.

OP posts:
NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 09/10/2018 17:01

Not a chance would I take less money for more stress. Ever.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 09/10/2018 17:03

Can they flex other benefits to compensate for the salary shortfall, eg additional leave? Shorter hours one day pw?

LolaPickle · 09/10/2018 17:08

No, not in a zillion years would I cause myself more stress for less money

Mind you op, I would be reluctant even if it was more money

ferntwist · 09/10/2018 17:08

Don’t do it!

Original poster
Changeofjob · 09/10/2018 17:09

No additional benefits at all in terms of leave, hours or other employee beneifts.

It’s 30 mins closer to home so I would save some money in petrol and time. Although I doubt this saving will equate to £250

OP posts:
Original poster
Changeofjob · 09/10/2018 17:10

I will also stress that I am bored shitless in my current post

OP posts:
BewareOfDragons · 09/10/2018 17:11

Absolutely not. Insanity.

TwigTheWonderKid · 09/10/2018 17:15

Just on a practical point you will be £170 a month worse off, not £250.

DarlingNikita · 09/10/2018 17:16

Right, well I was all set to say 'NO WAY' but then saw that your ultimate goal is a management position, but you can't go for one of those unless you've done a job with 'senior' in the title first. (if I'm understanding right?)

And you're currently bored shitless.

With these two things in mind I'm going to say take it – on the proviso that you do keep it clear in your mind that it's a stepping stone.

And are you totally sure they won't/can't offer you any kind of 'perk' to go some way to making up the pay cut?

SpoonBlender · 09/10/2018 17:18

Bored shitless and a shorter commute sells it to me. I'd go for it - like you say, you need the manager tag on your CV if you're going to step upwards.

Go for it. Annoying though.

AcrossthePond55 · 09/10/2018 17:18

It would depend on how much being able to put 'senior' on my CV would boost my chances for better paying positions AND how long I'd have to 'do more for less' before it would be reasonable to start looking for that job.

If I could start looking for (and have strong chances of getting) a higher paid senior position in a year or two then I'd probably do it. If I had to put in 5 + years at the lower paid job before looking and/or there weren't historically a lot of those senior positions opening up, then I'd probably stay put.

DontCallMeCharlotte · 09/10/2018 17:21

It sounds like you're playing the long game in terms of what you want for the future and you know how you have to go about it, so I would grit my teeth and take it. If nothing else, it might be more interesting.

And clawing back an extra hour a day is priceless in itself!

(I don't have children so I don't know how much difference working tax credits/child benefit makes but I make the drop only about £170 per month. Prepared to be told I'm very wrong on that though Grin).