AIBU to ask what you’d do?

[LostStars39]

Sorry this is very boring for aibu but I’m honestly torn.

I currently hate my job, it’s customer facing and very target driven and stressful. I’m paid roughly £19k and have to do 3 out of 4 Saturdays per month. I only get paid from 9-5 but due to having to set the store up etc I’m expected to come in at 8.30 (sometimes 8.15am) and although we close at 5pm I often don’t get out til 5.30pm, sometimes 6pm but occasionally 5.10pm on a very good day. We never get paid for this time or get it back but it’s just part of the job.

Positives include good pension and yearly pay rise and bonus. Pay rise is usually minimum 3% and bonus is performance based roughly £3k before tax.

I’ve been offered a new job with a completely different company. Starting salary is roughly £17k with no room for negotiation and no bonus. I also wouldn’t be eligible for pay review until April 2020. The job would be 9-5 Monday to Friday, civil service so I would also get flexi time and no Saturdays.

I just don’t know what to do. Do I stay where I’m unhappy but would be in line for a good pay rise and bonus in a few months or move to the unknow and take a pay cut? I’m quite socially awkward so also struggle with meeting new people and feel I’m quite close with my current team and therefore would have to start from the bottom with the new job.

I’m so sorry this has been so long and I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t make it to the end! Sorry if I’ve missed anything but any other questions let me know! X

I would move jobs. I assume there will be other benefits such as a better pension?

Hi @oysterbabe I’m not sure what the pensions like but I assume it will be similar which would be another positive for the new job!

Whats more important to you - time or money?

If 9-5 means 9-5 then take the new job. It'll be more money per hour, less stressful and perhaps it may lead to desirable opportunities.

Take it. Civil service are serious about flexitime. You will be so much happier

Run and grab that new job with both hands. You'll thank yourself for it so much.
Your current job has you miserable and anxious. Get out.

Maybe a third option? Keep looking for a new job with a better salary and similar hours?

Thanks so much everyone. Money is important to me as me and dp just about scrape by every month and a pay cut really wasn’t the direction I wanted to go in.

But I really need to look at the future and there will hopefully be better opportunities to progress in this new role, and I really need to think about my happiness and how I value my time which makes me want to take the new job.

I've just changed jobs from retail to civil service for 7k less a year and couldnt be happier! Flexi time means no more unpaid extra time and I have overtime if i want at double time. The pension is good and the work atmosphere is very friendly with strict anti bullying/discrimiation attitudes compared with my old role. I did it as after 20 years of working weekends and taking work home I decided I valued time over money

Money is tight but after tax it wasn't as much less as i thought!

Civil service is likely to have more prospects for moving or promotion. Flexi to me is an amazing benefit. We can use up to 3 days per month off if you are in credit.

I would take it - flexi time really means that in the civil service. There will also be the chance of progression (don't know if this applies in your current job) and once you're in, that can be in any department. There is in theory the prospect of a bonus in the civil service but nowhere near like your existing one

Definitely civil service.

Yes, agree with others, go for civil service. Loads of opportunities etc and also great holidays - will be much more generous than retail I’m sure!

I would absolutely go with the new job. Civil service will have a good pension, flexi time and opportunities for promotion. Definitely go for it.

I would move.

I work in Civil Service Pensions and it is really good - defines benefit so you know what you are getting xx

Having moved from retail to start again in a career, for less money I say do it. Improved my work life balance. 5 years later I have been promoted and earn what I did in my old job.

Although I deal with challenging people at times, I don't have to deal with the arsehole customers.

I would go for it assuming that you can genuinely manage without the money.

Flexible working is a massive plus. Just imagine next Christmas when you might be able to clock out on the 20th December and go back on the 2nd January!

Thank you so much everyone. This has been the kick up the arse I needed!

According to MSE that would be a difference of about £115 per month on the two standard wages, not taking into account the bonus. So given what you’ve said, that’ll be a significant drop for you.

However, you get your weekends back and shorter days. Plus time in lieu etc. Plus better career opportunities and your sanity - you can’t really put a price on that PROVIDED you can make ends meet & not end up in debt.

I’m not sure if you’d be entitled to any or any additional benefits that might help with the shortfall?

If I were you, I’d do it if I could make ends meet.

I would go for the Civil Service. My DD is in the Civil Service. It seems brilliant.

You could always consider adding one evening working at a bar or similar to boost up your salary in the short term.

Civil service.

Flexitime is invaluable and the job likely has better long term prospects.

Honestly given the time you get back if the cash was an issue you could do a few shifts in a bar to make up the difference (an evening a week would cover it).