To ask WWYD (1st world problem)

[44PumpLane]

Apologies but I've been going back and forth on this so figured I'd ask others.

I took a temp role after a redundancy--maternity cover at a UK wide successful company.

Ethos of UK company very different to what I'm used to, no flexibility in terms of start/end time but fairly stress free work that's not massively interesting or taxing.

Have been offered permanent work at a global business with very flexible working, lots of flex benefits, work should be interesting but could have periods of high demand/stress.

Old place (UK business) want to keep me so have offered to make me perm, offered me a flex start and finish time and early finish Friday. Have matched salary from global firm (plus a little bit). UK company will be bringing in some flex benefits but not to the extent of the global business.

Financially it makes UK business role more attractive and Global business role may be harder/more stress but I don't know that for sure yet.

I can't decide which to take! Any advice or perspectives?

Have referenced Global firm/UK firm to hopefully keep it clear which I'm talking about though both are a similar distance from my home and UK based.

Also in case it's relevant I'm in my late 30's with a young family.

I would go for more pay with less stress in the U.K. job.

What are your prospects for advancement in both?

I have a job with no flex whatsoever and I would love a job with flex, especially with a young family. If they let you go to children's assemblies, work from home if children are sick etc then I would go with the one which offers most flex. Are they the same amount of holidays? Will the Global company allow you to work from home during holidays?

I would go with whatever works best with flexibility and spending time with your children while they are young

Definitely more pay, less stress option. Especially with the flexible hours

Which is an easier location to reach - travel to work is time and stress in its self! Career prospects are the other mitigating factor. Otherwise I would take the job with more money.

CircleofWillis
Prospects for advancement pretty much nil at UK firm but exist at Global firm, plus the ability to move about the business.

eyeoresancerre
One more day holiday at Global Co plus the ability to buy 4 extra days which is hugely important.
I do believe Global Co would allow at home working (not all the time because of the type of role it is but ad hoc or for emergencies). UK company not so much.

anniehm
Both companies within a short drive of my home-- less than 20 minutes to either.

The Global company would have more flex in terms of time off for kids school events/assemblies whereas the UK company would make you take half day holidays.

UK company will be introducing the ability to buy holiday but not for about 18 months.

For what it's worth I'm probably at a seniority level now where I'd happily go no higher as I earn good money and don't want to manage people (which wpiod realistically be the next rung in my field).

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply everyone.

I'd go for Global, although more stressful at times, there seems to be more plus points from my perspective. What's your gut feeling on it?

eyeoresancerre
I think I'm leaning the same way.
Flexibility is crucial to me and I think that it could be pushing me towards global.

I also worry that if I'm the only one with flex in the UK company it could breed a bad feeling with colleagues maybe.

I just wonder if its daft to move away from the cash but (apologies in advance - this is not a shitty humble brag) the money we are talking about from either place is good and I would be doing Avc's on my pension with either so in the here and now it wouldn't make a huge difference.

Argg!!!

A ‘uk’ company very much wanted me, so told me they’d let me work flexibly from home, even though they didn’t let others. They lied, they made it be difficult and kept arranging mandatory meetings on days I should Have been at home.
Do they really mean it? Will they put it in writing (they can always change terms remember so this isn’t always secure but at least shows intent).
Dont be fooled like I was!

I currently have flex time and it's worth more to me than a larger salary would be. Orthodontist appointments alone wiukd eat most of my holiday allowance otherwise, never mind the school holidays. I wouldn't move to non-flex hours for less than a 40/50% rise to account for extra childcare costs and the inconvenience.

In your position I'd go for the global company. If the stress/busy times come in peaks and troughs it's a lot easier to cope with because you know it's not constant. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Global

I have recently faced a similar dilemma.

My employer was bought by a much larger firm. Most staff haven’t seen much change, but as I am in a support department, I have.

I was offered a central London role, with flexible home working for about £9k more than previous role, plus 3 more days holiday, smaller firm, but big name in the industry.

I chose to stay where I am with £6k rise, agreed flexible to pick daughter up from school, plus reasonable ability to work from home. Main reason for staying?

I have an 8 year old (plus 2 at secondary) and current role is half an hour in the ca4 rather than hour and a half commute.

New employer (buyer) has a different ethos which is frustrating. 2 bosses I report into, one I like a lot, the other doesn’t acknowledge my input into work where he changes a few words in a massive document.

We’ll see where that goes.....

Global company. You get some flexibility now while your dc are small which is great and then long term (they are small for a surprisingly short time) you have interesting work and the possibility to diversify in the future. For me it would be a no brainer.

I’m backing global.

If they are only now addressing flexibility, then I would take what they are saying with a pinch of salt. They can withdraw this far too easily.

I think its a really tough decision!

Is the UK business a nice place to work?

The industry I'm in can be very hit and miss for how much employees are valued, especially if you aren't at the top of the food chain (even if they do offer flexible benefits). I'm always slightly terrified when starting with a different business because you never know what you're going to get. For that reason I'd probably stay with the UK based one, if it was somewhere that I enjoyed going to work - better the devil you know and all that.

I agree that getting everything in writing from the UK one is important if thats what you choose.

Equally, if you miss having a bit of pressure in the work place, you've got a great opportunity to perhaps get a bit more stuck in carers wise without it negatively impacting on your home life! Long term the global business does sound like the better option if you plan to grow your career.

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies--I really do appreciate it.

The perspectives of those who have been promised flex are helpful as that was a fear - that although I might technically have some flex at UK company, when it comes down to it would it really pan out.

Thank you all- I promise to share my decision (have to make it today so will report back)!

I work for a flexible “Global”. It is worth its weight in gold.

I would go with the global one. They are offering flex, the opportunity to buy more annual leave, the work sounds more interesting and there can be development opportunities for the future.

Global- if you have kids the flexibility is priceless.

The global one for sure. Sounds like the UK company are just paying lip service with the flexibility issue and may not come through on this, whereas it sounds like for the global company, flexible working is already an ingrained part of the work culture.

I'd go Global in a heartbeat.

I've been in this situation with companies who are not at all flexible but offered it to me in a contract, twice, and on both occasions it went wrong - the first it just caused resentment and issues, they weren't set up for flexibility, and the second was great until my manager changed and the new one hated the arrangement. It always felt like a fight to get them to be half as flexible as they'd promised.

If the commute etc is the same, I'd go global because if they are genuinely flexible, that is an unbeatable benefit.

Thank you so much to you all for taking the time to reply-- it has genuinely helped me to make up my mind.

I have confirmed to my manager I will be moving to the Global business and they were not at all surprised and completely understood (even quoting how prescriptive the flexible working offer felt)!

To everyone who offered their two penneth I really appreciate it- you genuinely helped!

Here are some very un mumsnetty

AnchorDownDeepBreath

Absolutely could see that happening to me too! Global company has fully ingrained flexible working ethos whereas UK company wpiod be similar to what you describe I imagine.

I'd go for the UK company.

Great! Congrats and good luck in your new job