to consider a job almost half my previous earnings?

[strictlymomdancing]

Some background:

In 2020, after a year of sick leave brought on by a breakdown and two suicide attempts, I left the public sector employer where I was being bullied and discriminated against.

With legal help, I got a payout of £52,000 (after tax).

I haven't spent it yet and I don't want to. I'd like to keep that money as I want to send my DD to private school but that's another discussion.

I was fortunate to get a 9m FTC almost immediately . Due to covid its been WFH which suits me due to my disabilities. Everyone has been very nice but I'm bored stiff. There isn't enough work for me to do. I am 4 months into the contract.

I've seen, and applied for, another job with a disability charity I respect. I could do that job easily I think. Its a 12 m contract.

Here is my dilemna.

In the job I had a breakdown in, my salary was £38,000 and if I'd stayed, it would now be £40,000. The employer pension contributions were 21% and it was unionised (although my branch were useless). Lots of other non salary benefits too but no disability staff network (they had an LGBT and BAME staff network though).

In the job I'm in now, it is also public sector. I'm earning £30,000 and employer pension contributions are 19%. Unionised environment, lots of non salary benefits and a staff network for every equality group.

The job I've applied for is a large, national disability charity and I've been invited for interview and they've arranged adjustments for me for the interview without me even asking - a good sign.

My only worry is that the salary is £24,000 and the employer pension contributions are 5.5%. I don't know what the other non salary benefits are.

I just feel torn. On the one hand its a company I respect and are obviously disability aware. Its entirely remote working so good for managing my disabilities.

On the other hand, its almost half of what I used to earn and I can't shake that feeling that I am going backwards and not earning what I am worth. I have several degrees and postgraduate qualifications.

I've spoken to DH and to my DPs and they say do the job and keep job searching for other things. They say I can afford the drop.

I was also awarded PIP for the first time this year and that is over £500 a month tax free.

YABU - stay where you are and look for something better paid or permanent
YANBU - take this job if offered and keep looking whilst doing it

oh fuck sorry, that was longer than i thought

No - you're worth more.

Shit times at work often make us feel we should be grateful for little good things.

Wait for something better.

With the PIP your monthly income is equivalent to 30k. But it depends can the job lead to other positions?

You know the phrase "never meet your heroes"? I think it's a bit like that - you respect this charity and want to work for them because you think they'll treat you with respect and accommodate your needs? It's highly unlikely that the reality will match up to your expectations in my experience.

Being bored but with plenty of money, a positive culture and most importantly, the security of public sector employment, is worth it - the extra £6000 will go a long way in meeting the additional costs of your needs, whereas PIP can end, depending upon what the government feels is necessary to appease voters nearer the next election or the mood of the PIP assessor, particularly when there's an entire pandemic to pay for, never mind that you may well actually recover from your understandable MH difficulties now you're out of the old place, have a hefty compensation payout and can look forward to rebuilding/recovering, as I think it takes a good couple of years to truly get past even less severe trauma from a toxic working environment (I know it has for me). Plus you'll have the significantly better pension in the future.

I wouldn't take what could turn out to be a £12K drop in income within a short period of time. I'd use my still good income and the experience of your current role for looking again whilst taking advantage of any training opportunities, any new but related roles and consider (if your energy levels are up to it) looking into ways to bring your knowledge and experience into the future.

Didn’t you post about this a while ago pondering over which job to take?

£24k for a large charity is a pretty junior role, not entry level but not far off. In terms of career is that what you’re looking for? To put it into context it’s what I pay for the second most junior level in a charity with minimal responsibilities

charity sector isn't one for benefits so what that states is it. For 24k it must be an admin/coordinator/assistant level position? Officer would be more, do you think you could apply at that level instead when it's available?

Can you afford the pay drop? If you can, follow your heart. Job satisfaction is more important than pay (if you can afford it).

Before kids I was well paid, but after 10 years of no pay (SAHM) I went into education as a TA and took a 75% pay cut. We can afford it as a family and I love my job. Money isn’t everything.

I work for a charity and earn about £24,000. They are a brilliant organisation and I always feel supported and that I agree with their ethos.
I do a great job and feel I've changed lives every day.

It's not all about money. I know MN is keen on big earnings though!

Normally I always tell people to do what makes them happier and not to sweat the money.

You're already being overpaid. In your shoes I'd see out the FTC

Hope you are feeling a lot better now OP.

I think it depends how much of a problem the current job is to your well-being. Salary is not worth a jot without your mental health, but will your mental health be significantly better served by the new role? Or will it be just as boring with less money?

Tbh i think it’s best you don’t go through with taking a job like this while looking for something else, not really fair on the charity and your potential new team. Let them recruit someone who is genuinely passionate about the work.

yes I do worry that it could be just as boring for more money

but its home based/remote so no commute, no parking, no petrol, no train fares (current job will want us back in the office soon).

So I'd also save money in that regard

I'm not able to drive for health reasons so that limits my options too.

DSis recently got a promotion to £50,000pa and I'm envious, especially as she's less qualified. I know that sounds bitchy but it just makes me feel shite.

DH keeps telling me money can't buy happiness and not to worry. He says no one needs to know your salary

less money I meant

Well firstly you need to understand the difference between your pensions. Your public sector pensions are defined benefit and the 5.5 is obviously defined contribution - they’re different beasts and you can’t compare them.

I would take it and see what happens as it’s another FTC it’s not really like you’re leaving any job security.

£52k isn’t enough to privately educate your child for any significant period. You’d need a bursary on your salary regardless (depending on your husbands salary).

It depends how much your self worth is tied up in your salary. I don't think it relates to either the seniority of the job generally or contribution to society in general, but you are equating it here with value and what you are worth. I realise that's easy to say when you are well paid but when graduates in banking are paid more than nurses and teachers you realise how much is to do with sector and luck! Try to separate the salary from the value of the job, to you and to society.

If you can live on the money and like the look of the job then I say give it a go. FWIW I halved my salary recently to do a job I wanted to do. I can still live comfortably but I won't pretend it's not a bit of a blow seeing the lower salary go in so I do sympathise! Am loving the job though...

This might not be a popular opinion... But I'm sorry as an adult being bored at work is not enough reason alone to leave a job.

24k.. isnt even a graduate job for a masters degree. They are typically 27-32k.. that's with 0 years of experience. I get it's an area you like but you really are not valuing yourself at all.

I think it's quite obvious the most logical decision is to stay where you are and keep looking.

It would be great if money didn't matter (actually that's not true, all the greatest countries embrace capitalism) but it does matter to quality of life and you have a decent job now that you can work from home which accommodates your disability. You still have a lot of time to find something new that works for you and pays you close to what your experience + education says you're financially worth.

@strictlymomdancing if you are new to the charity sector and want to understand the salary levels more, feel free to PM me. I can go through them with you and see if you are applying at the wrong level!

I agree with previous post - being bored Isn't a good reason to leave your job.

I suspect the entry level role you're considering would be equally, if not more, boring than your current job as it will inevitably come with less responsibility.

You haven't said why you think your current job is boring. I think you need to pin point exactly what it is you don't like and see what you can do to change that.

I can't see many employers turning away someone who has good suggestions to improve their role. If your current employer really can't provide any improvement to your role you should start looking for a job that will give you the challenges you want to keep you inspired.

But in answer to your question. No I wouldn't take the lower paid role, not least because the pension looks very poor compared to what you currently have. I can also guarantee you'll get bored of your low take home pay very quickly!

@ErickBroch yes please if you could PM me as it doesn't seem to let me PM you?

You cannot compare the final salary pensions of public sector/Civil Servants/NHS etc with the more normal DC pensions. It’s comparing apples and croissants.

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn

For the past two weeks I've almost nothing but watch netflix

No joke

I've asked for more work but everything I'm given in response takes me half a day to do. I've done everything they wanted me to do in 3 months instead of the 9 month contract, they said themselves they are surprised by how quickly I got it all done. I've asked to shadow / support other teams and got told 'no'.

I don't know what more I can do.

Getting paid to watch netflix sounds great, I know, but I like to be busy.

I'm applying for other jobs too, not just this one, I just think the remote working aspect and type of organisation appeals here.