Which job would you pick?

[Unhappygirl1]

Job 1:
Pretty much Full time (no chance to reduce hours any further), very well paid (above market value and been there a long time), lots of benefits including health and dental insurance for family, income protection, shares, bonus, pretty good job security. Downsides are it’s very stressful and not a pleasant place to work. The work is dull and you don’t feel like you make a difference. You never see your kids because they pretty much go to childcare full time when you work. You spend a lot of your wages on paying others to look after your kids. You can’t pick them up from school or eat dinner with them (get in after 6:30pm). No desire to progress career here as that would mean more stress and more work after hours.

Job 2:
Public sector (no idea about job security), part time with some evening hours (enabling you to do most of the childcare), it’s very poorly paid (around £10-12k) but below tax threshold which ironically means you might be better off (especially with limited childcare costs). More interesting role and greater job satisfaction. Possibly seen as “beneath you”. More opportunity for progression though once you have your foot in the door.

Aibu to ask you what one to go for? This is hypothetical at this point as not yet received an offer for job 2. Also I’ve not worked out the take home amount on this salary.

It seems to be a case of Doing what might make me happy vs. Doing what is sensible.

And doing what is known, comfortable vs doing something that is scary, taking a chance

I am stuck!

Assuming you can make the money work (and it sounds like you can) than job 2, at least until the kids are older

Job 2. See your kids. Have a life. Smile sometimes. Life is too short for job 1.

One day you'll be wrapped up warm in front of the fire, telling your grandchildren about your exploits.
Would you rather say "I did A" or would you rather say "I did B"?

Job 1 and ask for or apply for part time hours.

I don't understand how you will be better off financially earning minimum wage than a 'very well paid' job?

Job 2.
I’m a SAHM and am just looking at going back to work. I was very surprised to find out that local part time admin jobs work our almost the same as my previous well paid job, as my previous job had a lot of travel costs, tax, student loan and nursery fees to pay for. A part time job under the personal allowance threshold would get me almost the same as there would be virtually no deductions.
I say go for the one that’s a better fit with your family and sanity😊

Job 2. Once in prove yourself and progress. You'll be able to work your way up and maintain the work life balance.

Job 3 - same as job 1 but in a nicer company and with more flexibility. It will exist, you just have to look for it.

Job 2 plus who knows it may lead to more hours or another role in the future.

I mean job 1 is not a high tax rate type of job but it’s pretty decent. But I pay tax and then I pay student loan and then I pay rather a lot of childcare (twins and another child all at nursery/childminder for 4 days). What is left is mine.

Job 2, yes the pay is terrible but there is limited childcare to pay (family can help on one day and some hours are evening so dh is back) and no tax. My salary would barely be touched, it would all be mine pretty much.

Having the opportunity to spend time with your own children seems such a luxury these days (which is a shame really)

Take the second job - you can always reapply and go back tot he first industry later

I should add job 1 is in a pretty unusual sector. There are not very many other companies doing the same. And none round my way. Sadly I expect similar roles in other companies would have the same stress.

Which industries are they in? Especially job 2 - what kind of progression is there? Any training? Transferable skills?

Btw I chose job 2 in a similar situation and don’t regret it for a moment. as well as seeing family it got me the headspace I needed to think about what I really wanted to do and now my career is taking off in ways I wouldn’t have expected. Am not saying that it’s all down to the job but realising where my priorities lay was a good start

Job 2! I hope you get it, good luck.

public sector can be stressful and underfunded. Also, if it is a ‘meaningful’ job some people find it hard not to put in extra hours as it is ‘helping’ people. Just be aware. Also be aware that though you might see kids more, may see DH less if anti social hours working.

Job 3 - same as job 1 but in a nicer company and with more flexibility. It will exist, you just have to look for
@BuffaloCauliflower I completely agree with you.

Only risk with job 2 is if you want to get back into job 1 once kids are in school they may see you as a job 2 sort.

Actually, I'm going to take a different route with this. What part of the public sector are you going into? With large scale funding cuts and massively increased beaurocracy in many public sector jobs, you may find, in terms of stress levels, you're jumping from the frying pan to the fire...