Upset about leaving

[Zig27]

I have been temping in a job for a few days a week which I really enjoy. The manager wants me to work there permanently. I like the staff and we chat and laugh which I have not had a job like that in 10 years. The only downside is the 40 minute drive to get there as the commute can be stressful with dangerous drivers. The job is not stressful and the main phone only rings 3 times a day.

I have applied for a job at an old employer which is 10 minutes from home and have an interview. The starting pay is the top pay of the temp job and can pay nearly 2k more. I temped at this old employer recently but am worried as they can be chaotic and if I was to get the job I don't want people dumping everything on me as soon as I get there just because I have worked there before and know the system. Most people still work from home at this employer so there wouldn't really be anyone to talk to except for the public on the phone calls. I'm not sure why you can't work from home in this role and have to go in. I know I would save about 5 hours a week in travel being so close.

I cried last night as I like the job further away and the manager has said I may be able to work from home on some days. I don't understand why she needs me in everyday as the Reception needs covering sometimes not everyday but the calls can be taken at home. It's just the petrol and travel that are an issue. There is less holiday in this role and you have to go in on Christmas holiday but not at the closer to home job.

If you can live on the salary, go for the job where you will be happiest. Life is too short to be miserable and people make us happy in a way money cannot.

Go for the job you'll enjoy most if money isn't a major factor.
It's fine being close to home but what's the point if you're miserable?

Stick to the job you're temping at. 40mins commute is more than reasonable, especially if you can work from home on occasion. I work Christmas holidays too (on a rota system) and it isn't all that bad, (and only comes around once a year after all)

Theres no such thing as a perfect job.
Whats better/worse? Constrained stress as part of the journey and little opportunity to work from home vs more money, holiday leave but more chaos while working there?

Which do you have more control to change?

Personally id rather some extra stress in office hours for more money where i could raise issues to management, try to enforce boundaries and escalate issues rather than a longer commute with little opportunity to work from home. People change jobs all.l the time, would you be happy there in 5 years if loads of the fun staff moved on?

I’m a Careers Adviser - go with the job you enjoy - it makes most commutes worthwhile - working from home may be possible for some of the time, so assertively follow up on that

I’m not meaning to pour cold water on the opportunity with your old company, but you haven’t got the job yet - you have an interview. You still have time to find out more in terms of conditions, flexibility etc. You may find it doesn’t suit - and equally, you may find you don’t suit them.

This isn’t a choice between two offers; not yet. Go to the interview, find out more, and in the meantime, find out whether there’s a concrete offer on the table from the company you’re temping at. You say the manager wants you to stay permanently, but is there definitely a permanent position available? Wanting it and being able to offer it can be two different things.

@WomanStanleyWoman I know you are right I haven't been offered the job, say if I did I could always decline. There is a permanent job at the temp place but I would need them to put in writing working from home a few days as verbal promises count for nothing.

You left your old job for a reason. It sounds like the new place are very flexible. It's awful to work in a place you don't like much.