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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:
babbscrabbs · 09/10/2018 17:22

30 mins closer to home is worth a lot IMO.

And tbh it's in some ways easier to do a stressful job with kids at nursery rather than school

Italiangreyhound · 09/10/2018 17:22

I would not. I would keep looking for more pay and more responsibility if you want that or stop in job you love.

PaintingOwls · 09/10/2018 17:23

I would. Your daughter will be in school soon, presumably?

TaintforTheLikesOfWe · 09/10/2018 17:24

It's a stepping stone not a backwards step providing you definitely do apply for the more senior role. I would be irritated by the drop but sometimes you have to lose a battle to win a war.

poobumwee · 09/10/2018 17:25

N0

Tinkobell · 09/10/2018 17:26

No I wouldn't take it at all. As well as your pay cut you'd be forsaking a valuable civil service pension scheme.

auntyflonono · 09/10/2018 17:32

I would do it, its a stepping stone. Give it 18 months then move on/up.

nearlythesummer · 09/10/2018 17:33

No.

Rhondacross · 09/10/2018 17:34

No way. If bored shitless at your current job keep your eye out for real promotions you can apply for. Or start writing your novel when there's nothing to do...

AllAtHome · 09/10/2018 17:36

No

Unless you can guarantee that it will lead on to a better senior job for certain.

Sparkletastic · 09/10/2018 17:37

No.
Keep looking.

RubiksQueen · 09/10/2018 17:39

Why would she be forsaking her pension scheme? She'd still be a SW, it's likely the pension would just transfer over surely?

I'm taking it that you live in say, outer London and your current post is inner London with the weighting and this new post is outer London with lower weightings hence the pay cut.

Bearing in mind your plan for career progression and how long you've been at top of your pay grade already, and the reduction of commute, I'd be minded to say I'd give it a go. Especially if it's likely you would be able to get a post in your old area at your current level if this didn't work for you. If I am right in your location, it might still be bad in new council but not as bad as further in (I work in some of the most deprived London boroughs and while my own is bad it isn't THAT bad)

Bluetrews25 · 09/10/2018 17:40

If you had to abide by the MN jury and it came out a resounding NO, how would you feel?
Then ask yourself if it came out as YES how would you feel?
HTH - let your gut tell you what you want.

Angel75 · 09/10/2018 17:42

I would strongly advise against this OP, less money for more stress is doomed to fail...

UnknownStuntman · 09/10/2018 17:42

After tax and NI, you'll actually only be £170 worse off, not £250. Don't know if that helps with your decision but it might help with your budgeting.

Joe66 · 09/10/2018 17:44

Yes I would go for it. 30 minutes less commute if you go in by car is probably going to save you quite a bit and the opportunity of stepping up in a year or two plus being bored . . .

Thatssomebadhatharry · 09/10/2018 17:47

It won’t be 250 less a month in net pay maybe 150 if you are paying student loan etc.

DC18 · 09/10/2018 17:48

I was in a similar position recently and took the pay cut for a different role that will give me valuable experience that are better in the long run. I dont think £175 less a month is that bad and I think the experience and doors this job will open for you will make it worthwhile x

PigletJohn · 09/10/2018 17:48

Disregard the money for the moment.

Is it a job that you really want to do and will be in some way more fulfilling, suit you and make you happier? You seem to say it is just more stress. Why would you want to take a job that won't make you happy? You can't even tell yourself that the money will make it worthwhile, because it's less.

Why did you apply for it?

squirrelnut · 09/10/2018 17:49

Hmm I would say no and hold out for something either in hour current LA or another neighbouring one which does pay more (or at the very least the same!).
It doesn’t sit well with me to go backwards salary wise.
There are such massive shortages of SW I doubt you will wait too long!

MoniBitchell · 09/10/2018 17:51

No. Not a chance.

There will be other jobs, just hold your nerve.

Bubblysqueak · 09/10/2018 18:01

I have done similar, taken on a lower paying job with more hours and it was more responsibility and I needed that experience on my CV before I could make progress up a slightly different carer ladder.
I'm now 18 months on, I've changed job again but using the experience I have gained I have managed to climb back up the ladder and have a much better work life balance and pay etc.
It was hard but ultimately worth the step back as it propelled me forward in the long run.

Serin · 09/10/2018 18:08

Hmm in your OP you state that you "Love your job" then you say that you are "Bored shitless". I work in the NHS and it would be a bloody blessing to be bored, even for half an hour. The stress is relentless.
Could you maybe look at ways of developing your current job? perhaps do a masters?
Less pay for more stress doesn't sound like a good move to me.
At least ring the new employer and ask if they would consider matching your current salary?

Original poster
Changeofjob · 09/10/2018 18:30

The new job will give me the experience of supervising staff which will allow me to apply for management roles. I can’t predict when a management role will become available.

I’m assuming my pension will come with me 🤔

PigletJohn I love your questions. It’s in the same area I work in now however I love leading others and learning new things.
I love the area I work in now but because I know what I am doing it can become very monotonous. I applied for the post as a You senior role will require a lot more from me and develop me both personally and professionally.

OP posts:
ShotsFired · 09/10/2018 19:41

Are there no senior roles at current place because they don't have that role at all; or just no vacancies at present?

If the former, can you see any way it could be created- it sounds like a standard stepping stone for your profession? Maybe as part of an appraisal process?

If the latter, then I'd sit tight as you simply can't predict who might resign tomorrow!

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