Ex-boss has offered me what I wanted back in June

[confused2602]

When costs continued rising and we had no choice I had to start looking for a full time job (I was working 2x part time jobs, 3 short days, 2 long ones but in a school so deduct school holidays etc). My preference was to stay at the job that I worked at 3 short days but increase my hours. Small, family run business, they eventually decided they couldn’t afford to increase my hours. Very swiftly and sadly I was able to find something new. It caused me a lot of upset and resulted in lots of changes. I no longer do the school run for my 7 yo and my 12 yo has to come home to an empty house every day. Fast forward to today and they’ve struggled to recruit someone suitable. They have offered me 5 days, school hours. I’m really in a muddle about what to do as have now started to settle in at the new role, the money is good but it is a strain on family life and hard to fit anything much in when I get home. AIBU to decline the offer (I was very happy in my old role sand miss them very much) and continue in this rushed, stressed life? AINBU if I take it, reducing my income by £300pcm but meaning life is less stressful - I now drive to work and spend £120ish pcm on fuel, £50ish on after school club and have to rely on family for school runs most days. I’m sad this couldn’t have happened before all the upheaval, so really hesitant to rush into anything.

I would 💯 go back to the old job!

Take the school hours job for sure

It's annoying this couldn't have happened back in June and saved you the upheaval. But it does sound like the old job is a better fit.

What you gut say...right list of pro and cons of new job and old job...
but sounds like old job is better option ..

Go back to the old job, it sounds like it suits your lifestyle much better and it's not such a financial impact when you factor in childcare and travel. You've probably got 4 more years of school runs ahead, take the flexible option!

Compare the hourly rate and gently point out that you are used to the extra £x (on comparative hours) and see if they’ll increase the offer. Don’t push too hard as I think you’ll have a better quality of life going back to the old job

Can you negotiate continuation of service as a condition of returning to the old job?

I think I'd add that as a rider to acceptance or you're exposed in the event they dick you about after you return.

I'd want a written formal contract, but I'd return to the old job.

i’d stick with the higher paid job.

I’m not clear on the financial difference? Also how is the new job? I thin you need to be very clear to yourself on the pros and cons of each situation but it sounds as if your heart and your children’s best interests are with the original job.

I'd probably take the school hours job but I'd tell them my salary expectations and negotiate hard because (if you are happy at the new job) then you lose nothing by trying for it.

If the old job give you continuity of service (Ie it’s as if you never left), then consider it - remember you are only protected from unfair dismissal/ given enhanced redundancy once you’ve been in a job for two years. If they count time previously worked with them within the new role (with the old employer) that is potentially of great value - your new employer with the stressy lifestyle can ditch you without penalty on very little notice and without paying you off

go back to the old job without a doubt.

THEY need you back, push for Continuity of service and meet current salary.

Tell them you'll take it if they match your current salary and mark you with no break (you're returning within 6 months). You're effectively being headhunted and they could have given you what you wanted in the summer.

They need you more than you need them.

Couldn't you negotiate a higher salary for your older job? It seems reasonable in the circumstances.

Counter offer! Tell them your happy to come back, but you’re not able to lose the £300 pm difference so if they make that up you’ll be back asap.

I wouldn’t go back because they let you walk rather than make changes to keep you.

Why can they suddenly afford it?

For me if my current job wasn’t working I’d keep looking but I wouldn’t go back under those circumstances.

Perfect advice.

I'd want a written contract first from old job.
I love working school hours and not rushing home to do dinner etc so I'd much prefer old job

You won't be down by £300, but by £130 pcm. And your quality of life will be so much better. I'd go for the better quality of life for you and DC. If there is any way you can make up this shortfall by doing some extra work from home at evenings or weekends for another company, then that would be even better. You could look for some WFH temp work.

If you do go back do make sure you get the continuity of employment back (ie that it is in writing that your previous service and this service count together as continuous employment) so that you are not at risk of them getting rid of you in the next two years and paying nothing to do so.

@TotalOverhaul not to mention the time saved as well!

Go back

Hmm, I’d be looking at the future to see what either role can reasonably offer you hours-wise in the years to come. Will the family business be offering you small increments year on year, or is there the prospect of growth in the role and salary?