Which job sounds better? Can't decide

[Pinkdressingown]

Hello.. I've been job hunting recently (I enjoy my job but fed up with the company) and have been for a few interviews. I've had two job offers which are both very different. Which one sounds better to you? I can't decide...

Job 1 - working 55 hours over 5 days a week (weekends off). 1.5 hour commute on top. I would also occasionally be required to stay on later in the evening. This job is similar to what I do now. Salary is in the range of 35k. I've done my research and they seem like a good company to work for but the job is physically demanding and I'm worried I might burnout eventually due to the long hours.

Job 2 - working from home 37.5 hours over 5 days a week (weekends off). This job is in a completely different line of work, but I would receive full training. Salary is a lot less, around 20k but there is room for progression. I'm worried I might get bored of being stuck at home all the time and miss the social aspect of going to work every day, but I might actually enjoy doing something different.

Job 1 is much better in terms of pay but the work is a lot harder, much longer hours. I wouldn't struggle on job 2's pay but it's always nice to have a bit extra isn't it. Really stuck. Advice?

@JesusIsAnyNameFree

I mean, 50h is fine but not for 35k! You should be on twice that if you're expected to work that much.

At work for 11hrs a day? No thanks mate. Plus the 1.5hr commute?

Out of the house for at least 12.5 hrs five days a week, maybe more... Jog on.

You've got to go with your gut but 55 hours a week - I couldn't do it.

Take job 2 and still carry on looking for jobs?

@JohnnyEnglish

Lots of people work 12 hour shifts as standard, nurses spring to mind and nannies. Usually though it’s capped at 48 hours per week. You can opt out of the Working Time Directive though so it’s not illegal to work more than 48 hours per week.

Yes, but nurses get full time pay for 3 shifts a week, maybe 13 shifts a month, whatever 37.5 hours a week works out at. This is considerably longer hours.

A nanny doing 50-55 hours a week would probably earn more than £35k too.

@CaffeineAndNicotine, if you're doing 49 hours a week for £20k or so, your employer is probably breaking NMW regulations, especially if you actually work more than 49 hours a week. You'd have to be on at least £22.7k pa for 49 hours at NMW.

@CaffeineAndNicotine

Hmm. Well I do 49 hours for the salary of job 2, well a bit over, but not much. Plus the commute is only an hour. And regularly arrive an hour or two early or stay late. And although we are entitled to a break none of the management team really take them. I do pop outside for a ciggy once or twice but there are times when i am the only key holder there so i cant take one, BUT I really really enjoy my job though and dh is wfh so the support network is there. Plus my kids are teens. So I say go for the job you will enjoy the most.

You're mad to work that long for such a low salary AND miss breaks AND work for free

@CaffeineAndNicotine are you in the UK? As you're currently working for less than minimum wage, you shouldn't be doing that.

Both sound shit. Keep looking.

@CaffeineAndNicotine just because you don't know your own worth doesn't make it acceptable to encourage others to do the same! What your employer is expecting of you is illegal, you should be fighting it, not condoning it.

At work for 11hrs a day? No thanks mate. Plus the 1.5hr commute

Out of the house for at least 12.5 hrs five days a week, maybe more... Jog on

I'm not sure why you're telling me to jog on

Doesn't sound that outrageous, when it isn't for terrible pay.
If I work a 10h day with a 1h lunch, I don't say I have done an 11 hour day. It's still 10 hours.

The commute is neither here nor there. It's normal. It's what a lot of us do. Mine is longer.

Job 1 would be 14 + hour days! No way is this sustainable (and legal?)

working hours

Option 3 - stay at your present job and look for a third job

Don’t they work out as roughly the same wage per hour? (Sorry my maths is awful lol).
Job 2!

Presumably job 1, will incur costs due to the long commute. You might not be financially much better off, especially if you are too tired to cook and start to buy ready meals/lunch out.

Job 2 is a terrible salary, but I'd take that until I could find something better.

@JesusIsAnyNameFree

At work for 11hrs a day? No thanks mate. Plus the 1.5hr commute

Out of the house for at least 12.5 hrs five days a week, maybe more... Jog on

I'm not sure why you're telling me to jog on

Doesn't sound that outrageous, when it isn't for terrible pay.
If I work a 10h day with a 1h lunch, I don't say I have done an 11 hour day. It's still 10 hours.

The commute is neither here nor there. It's normal. It's what a lot of us do. Mine is longer.

Wasn't telling you to jog on...the job to jog on

The 55 hour job is outrageous and I'm amazed if the employer can fill the post... interesting how many people are appalled but the reality is that many jobs (particularly public sector) ARE those sort of hours for that kind of money 😟. Unofficial and unpaid overtime- I guess at least they're honest but I don't recommend it tbh... Good luck OP 🌻

@JohnnyEnglish

Lots of people work 12 hour shifts as standard, nurses spring to mind and nannies. Usually though it’s capped at 48 hours per week. You can opt out of the Working Time Directive though so it’s not illegal to work more than 48 hours per week.

That's not quite right. You can't opt out of the EWTD. You can opt out of the 48 hour limit, but not the rest of the regulations, for example rest periods and breaks.

The 48 hour working week limit is usually taken over a reference period of 17 weeks so it's fine to work over that some weeks, as long as it averages out at below 48. As mentioned previously, I wouldn't take a job that requires you to opt out of that limit.