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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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Original poster

To leave my stable permanent job with good pension for flexible part time working with no commute

22 replies

muddiecuddles · 30/04/2019 12:09

In the medical field. I'm going back after maternity leave part time but will retain many of the benefits of it being a permanent post. Main downsides are that I don't particularly like the job, have stagnated in it somewhAt, and the commute is dire, an hour either way. Staying in it would tie us to expensive childcare for years due to commute and lack of flexibility.

Alternative job is very flexible, part time, with the scope to increase earnings the more I work. In the private healthcare sector. No contract or permanency. Would allow me to do the school runs and cut down our childcare bills massively especially in coming years. More pleasant place to work. And literally 5 minutes from home.

So conflicted... and need to decide as soon as possible. Thoughts?

OP posts:

DorisDances · 30/04/2019 12:15

I would absolutely make the change - why stay in a job that is clearly making your heart sink. Good luck OP

Famalamaringwrong · 30/04/2019 12:15

Could you do both? Put your main permanent job down to 1 day per week til you see how it goes with the new job? Then drop that job and add a day to the new job when you're settled and see how the land lies.

NoseyParrot · 30/04/2019 12:28

More pleasant place to work is a better one or sure

Original poster

muddiecuddles · 30/04/2019 12:41

Contractually I can't do both unfortunately!

OP posts:

Pinnacular · 30/04/2019 12:43

If changing doesn't affect your long term goals then I absolutely would save yourself the stress and expense and switch. Sounds like you could find something else relatively easily if it fell through?

Lllot5 · 30/04/2019 12:45

Second one all day long.

terriblyoriginalusername · 30/04/2019 12:50

Take the new job!! It seems a total no-brainer to me.
If the only downside is about pensions, why not make a conscious decision to take x amount of what you save on childcare each month, and put in some form of savings/investments?

EmmaC78 · 30/04/2019 12:53

New job definately. It sounds ideal.

Original poster

muddiecuddles · 30/04/2019 12:55

Yes, I'd have to bump up my private pension and my salary would be less predictable than in the permanent post (although probably similar). If the new job didn't work out for any reason I could find myself with few options or taking a big step down career wise - that's my biggest concern really.

OP posts:

MNHQ

HebeMumsnet · 30/04/2019 13:08

I'd go for the new job, OP. If it didn't work out at least you'd have more breathing room to look around for something else. The old job sounds really full on and, working full-time, with that commute, and all the 'life' and family stuff to do around it, you'd never have the time to look for anything else.

I think in general you only tend to regret the opportunities you don't take, rather than the ones you do. Something positive nearly always comes from something new, even if it's not quite what you expected.

Original poster

muddiecuddles · 30/04/2019 13:24

What about being totally financially dependent on DH if I leave my permanent job and the other one doesn't work out? Or am I catastrophising?

OP posts:

Talcott2007 · 30/04/2019 13:30

I'd go for job 2 (in fact I have just done similar)

Do not underestimate how much an hour commute is. It is not necessarily a big deal now but an hour commute when rushing for childcare due to delays or when the inevitable call from childcare that DC is ill or had an accident and you need to get there ASAP its a horrible stressful existence. Flexibility and distance form home are the 2 key things for me now I have DD.

I struggled for 18 months post MAT Leave back in my high pressured full time job with a 1.30hr commute each way but have very recently found and started an equal rewarding but slightly less pressured part time job that's walking distance to both home and nursery. It means that my career path has shifted slightly but it will in no way stagnate as there is lots of room to up my hours and expand my remit again in the future when DD is older etc. It's changed my life and mental health practically over night.

Racerback · 30/04/2019 13:33

New job, 100%

You have to make room in your life for new opportunities. There's nothing more deadly than a full time job you dislike - it's like himalayam balsam on the riverbank of life.

drspouse · 30/04/2019 13:35

I'm not so sure!
Can you go back? Because you have a lot of years till retirement in which to not build up your pension in job 2.

Talcott2007 · 30/04/2019 13:37

You probably are catastrophising a bit but that's ok - you need to consider all the possibilities - I went through exactly the same process of umming and ahhing the pros and cons. Talk through all of these potential issues honestly with your DH. eg. "ok so if it didn't work out with this job - what would our options be? how much of a financial safety net do we have as a family for me to be job hunting for something else etc."

Original poster

muddiecuddles · 30/04/2019 13:43

There would be no going back to the original job - I'd be giving up my contract. There would also be a bit of a loss of prestige to a certain extent, especially in terms of academic potential. But I'm not realizing that potential at the moment anyway.

Financially we'd be ok if the new job didn't work out - also if things are easier for us at home, DH's earning potential increases.

OP posts:

Original poster

muddiecuddles · 30/04/2019 13:46

DH and my family and friends are all v much in favour of the new job.

OP posts:

SummerInSun · 30/04/2019 13:49

Do as much due diligence as you can before you decide. Do you know anyone who works for the new employer, or if not can you ask to be put in touch with a current employee? Have you checked whether you would have to pay back any of your maternity pay if you don't return to the old job after maternity leave? If you have another DC, presumably you'd get no maternity pay in the new role?

Make sure the new job is as good as it seems, and that you have considered all angles you can, but if so, sounds like a good idea.

Original poster

muddiecuddles · 30/04/2019 13:53

Yes I've checked and I wouldn't have to pay back maternity pay. Our family is definitely finished! 4 kids. So maternity leave isn't an issue. But the benefits in terms of sick pay / holiday pay etc wouldn't be as good. If I don't work I won't get paid in the new job. But we're ok as long as DH can work. We'd bump up his income protection in case the new job didn't work out.

I know lots of people in the new job and I think I'd be happier there than in my current job even leaving aside the commute issue.

OP posts:

Rolypolybabies · 30/04/2019 18:41

Is it an nhs pension? If so, that would sway me to stay

Aquamarine1029 · 30/04/2019 18:57

If your marriage is healthy and your husband is supportive, I would take the new job in a second. Your quality of life will be SO much better and you can always change jobs a few years down the road when your kids are older.

Original poster

muddiecuddles · 30/04/2019 19:01

Yes - NHS pension And I haven't been at my current level for long enough to have built it up yet

OP posts:

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