To feel guilty for taking a better job?

[BinkyRidesForth]

I’ve been offered an amazing job with (slightly) better pay and much better hours, location and opportunities for progression than my current role. There are a few negatives but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. And yet... I feel awful about it. I feel incredibly guilty, the thought of telling my current manager is making me feel sick, and I feel like I must be making a huge mistake. Please tell me I’m being daft and I need to go for it!

Would they feel the same if they were going to make you redundant? I doubt it.

I would say that most employers would feel sick at the prospect of making someone redundant - I certainly did when firing a woman, even though the racist cowbag definitely deserved it.

But even though disappointing, I would be pleased for an employee getting a better opportunity for them.

What are the negatives of the new job?

No need for guilty feelings. Move on if it’s right for you.

Yeah, my manager can’t or won’t get rid of even really awful staff who are a liability, I can’t imagine him making anyone redundant! But no, he certainly wouldn’t worry about me to the extent I worry about the company and the staff there, including him. I would love to think he would be happy for me, but I have heard the way he has spoken about other people who have left...
I keep trying to tell myself I am not working for a charity and that it is ok to be selfish but the guilt will not go away!

Negatives are
1)I go in at the same level as two other people (I’m currently the second in command where I am in terms of responsibility, which I enjoy, but it’s not like I have the pay or title that goes with it); however I started like this in my current role (or arguably as the most junior) and proved myself pretty quickly so I feel relatively confident I could do the same again if I work hard and learn fast.
2) I’ll occasionally have to muck in for another department and it’s work I don’t enjoy as much, however I don’t think it should be a large part of the job and it’s something I’ve done before in a previous role. I do also get to learn a new skill which I’ll need if I ever want to go into management in the industry, so I figure it’s an ok trade off

I always feel a bit like this, like I'm letting them down. But in my experience the feeling will wear off quickly. Well done on the new job!

Haha! I felt exactly the same! I felt like I was letting my manager down. He still winds me up for being the most nervous person to hand in their resignation! Go for it! You'll forget about it in the end. I also kept the new company waiting as I was too nervous to resign - you really need to avoid that!

Did you apply for this job?

If so remind yourself why and hand your notice in.