To consider a 30k paycut

[Paycut]

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!

I agree with Blankiefan - for me it would be less about the money - on that score, it’s a yes from me - and more about if I could really handle giving up the authority and responsibility. It works for some people, but my DF came out of retirement for a well paid but non-managerial role after being very senior in a different organisation. He couldn’t hack it at all (and from the sounds of things probably annoyed his colleagues) and didn’t last.

Money isn’t the only reason people go for promotions, so I’d be thinking about what you want long-term from the job/career, how far off retirement is, whether there will be enough in the role to keep you engaged, how easy it is to get back to where you are now if it doesn’t work out and, yes, whether you’re the kind of person who is happy to pass up the status and authority you have at present.

what do you gain from continuing the way you are?

@Lynne1Cat

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

It’s definitely a nice problem to have, but it is worth bearing in mind that the op’s £30k is worth a less after tax than your husband’s. She will be paying the higher rate of tax on the full amount.

I think it also depends where you are in your career. If you are nearing retirement and will not want a more demanding job again then yes. If you are mid career and looking for further career advancement in the future then no.

It could be a hard move to explain to future employers.