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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider a 30k paycut

29 replies

Paycut · 29/10/2021 19:40

I currently work in a Director role and earn a very good salary. However the work life balance is poor and I’m working on average 12 hour days and then a Sunday afternoon too.

I used to work in a different sector and company (where work life balance was good, typical 45 hour weeks which I expect at the level).

My old boss was chatting about a role she needs to recruit for and asking if I knew anyone to recommend as she’d value my opinion.

The role is circa a 30k paycut from what I am doing today, but seems ideal, good manager, interesting role, though clearly a step down.

AIBU to consider putting myself forward? Obviously no guarantee i would be successful!

OP posts:
AuditAngel · 29/10/2021 19:42

Having worked a 50 hour week this week (and I took this afternoon off) I would say if you can afford the pay cut (I couldn’t) then explore the opportunity

BunNcheese · 29/10/2021 19:43

Health is wealth OP.

I couldn't work in a demanding job to the of pointing making me stressed all the time. Also you work to live not live to work.

changedmynameforthisagain · 29/10/2021 19:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sst1234 · 29/10/2021 19:45

Depends entirely on what you earn now OP. No one say without knowing the starting point.

Original poster
Paycut · 29/10/2021 19:47

It would be from 100k to 70k.

We could certainly live a good lifestyle on 70k though would need to cut back on some things.

OP posts:
snowgirl1 · 29/10/2021 19:48

I think it depends how sure you can be the new role really would be 45 hours a week. I'd be concerned about taking a £30K pay cut and finding the hours were just as long as your current role.

Neuwanda · 29/10/2021 19:49

I suppose the important question is how much do you earn currently. A 30k pay-cut from 60k would be a difficult choice, whereas if you are earning 200k its a no brainer.

StoneColdBitch · 29/10/2021 19:50

I went from a job in which I earned £160k a year FTE to circa £90k a year FTE. I am infinitely happier - my hours are better, my workplace is less stressful, and I leave work at work.

But that's easy to say, because £90k FTE is still a very good income.

I found that I was almost as well off in the new job, because I no longer needed a nanny and a cleaner, and we were able to reduce other outgoings (we eat out less, cook from scratch more, share one car between myself and DH, etc).

It depends on your personal circumstances really. If you'll still be earning enough on the lower wage to get by comfortably, then IME it's a no-brainer.

StoneColdBitch · 29/10/2021 19:51

@Paycut

It would be from 100k to 70k.

We could certainly live a good lifestyle on 70k though would need to cut back on some things.

Cross post. Do it. Total no-brainer. At that rate of pay, so much goes out in tax that there won't be much less in your pocket. You may also qualify for things like tax-free childcare that you didn't get before.
Thatsplentyjack · 29/10/2021 19:54

How can anyone here answer that? Surely that's a decision you and your family have to make together. If you can afford it, obviously it's not unreasonable.

Veryverycalmnow · 29/10/2021 19:55

Absolutely! At the end of your life I doubt you'll be wishing you spent more time at work. You only get one life- don't just fill it with work. The other job sounds more like one you'll enjoy. That's so important!

nurserypolitics · 29/10/2021 20:04

You say interesting role - are there things you can suggest, separate to pay, that you could 'get' as part of it that would set you up for the next/a different move? Say full authority to lead on a specific area that might show continuance with the sector you're leaving?

I took a pay cut a few years ago for a more senior role with much more autonomy and flexibility in a much smaller organisation. Ultimately, I knew that (and I think this is still the case) 5-10 years at SMT level even in a tiny organisation will give you skills and the ability to answer interview questions that 5-10 years of earning more progressing through mid-management in a bigger organisation won't (that is certainly the case in my sector, probably not all). For me it was a passion move but had a sensible angle too.

So I guess my only concern would be: what story does your CV tell if you make the move. So if it doesn't turn out to be worth it, you won't have closed any doors. If you think in a couple of years you can convincingly say 'As a Director at x, I really enjoyed building my expertise in area Y but this niche role allowed me the chance to apply area Y to my longterm passion of fly fishing and now I have brought that project to fruition I want to go back to working in x' and that is a reasonable story, then I'd go for it.

If the move will be perceived as one you would only make if you were being managed out/ would leave you struggling to get interviews, I'd maybe think a bit more.

SirChenjins · 29/10/2021 20:06

Should you take a job with a £70k with good work-life balance?

Errrr - yes Grin

Ireolu · 29/10/2021 20:10

More to life than money. Could be earning twice as much as I do now if I worked more hours. No thanks. I get to spend time with family and do other things I enjoy.

Blankiefan · 29/10/2021 20:27

I think you have to prepare a really good sell on why you want the new role. If I was recruiting, I'd maybe be looking at you as someone taking a step back, potentially phoning it in, possibly trying to tell me how to do my job VS another candidate on the up, pushing forward with their career, keen to impress. Its not insurmountable but watch that you don't consider it from your own perspective. You'll need to sell the new manager on why you're an asset (downsides acknowledged and dealt with).

Also - you need to honestly consider if you will be OK with the step back in the longer term. Watching people be promoted above you who are less capable than you. Living with their decisions when you know better.

We're only here once but the grass isn't always greener. And stress can come from dissatisfaction/ lack of challenge too...

Sittingonabench · 29/10/2021 20:33

30k is a lot but your take home is less than that with tax etc. I think it’s a really good thing to consider and would explore what you could do with that extra time (more family time, more self care etc.) and write these down. That way if you do choose to do it you have some accountability to yourself as to how to use the time.

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 29/10/2021 20:51

in furlough my husband was paid 50% of his salary and came out with about 300 less per month. He paid so much in tax that the drop wasn't as bad as it sounds.

Lasair · 30/10/2021 13:12

I wouldn’t do it.

ChorltonWheelie · 30/10/2021 13:43

Salary Cslculator www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/salary.php suggests your take home goes from 5500 to 4100. If you can afford that cut then it becones a nobrainer

Pension etc. can obviously change all that

FreedomFaith · 30/10/2021 14:11

@Thatsplentyjack

How can anyone here answer that? Surely that's a decision you and your family have to make together. If you can afford it, obviously it's not unreasonable.
Yeah I never get there posts. It's a stupid idea if you can't afford, a good idea if you can. We don't know the outgoings of the person or what they'll have to give up to manage it. Confused We could all say yes do it, you'll be much happier, but if it turns out it means you can't pay bills, get into debt, lose your house etc then obviously that was a bad decision.
Lynne1Cat · 30/10/2021 14:19

Fancy having the problem of whether to take a CUT of £30k! That's about what my husband earns....

JadeSeahorse · 30/10/2021 14:20

I did the equivalent 25 years ago. Not through choice but because we had a disabled child and I needed to be available for hospital appointments etc. when my post involved huge amounts of international travel.

You’d be amazed at how quickly you get used to the lower pay just by making a few adjustments. For me it was the best decision ever!
I was head hunted a year later and offered a phenomenal salary but by then I was more than comfortable with my new life. 😁

darkn · 30/10/2021 14:22

I think it depends how sure you can be the new role really would be 45 hours a week. I'd be concerned about taking a £30K pay cut and finding the hours were just as long as your current role

This, lower salary doesn't ime necessarily means fewer hours or less workload.

Figgygal · 30/10/2021 14:22

Work to live op
Everyone is dispensable in business your loyalty should be with your family
70k salary is still brilliant

Chargreen · 30/10/2021 14:23

Of course 70k is more than enough to live on but if you’re used to 100k, the difference will be hugely noticeable. Also, you might not even end up working fewer hours.

I wouldn’t do it, no way. I’d certainly be looking for another job but one that paid the same or more.