To give up my 100% WFH job?

[Benji92]

Hi there,

I joined my company just over a year and half ago and always had the ambition to become a Manager from day 1, letting my own line manager know.

My company is going through a redesign within my department. There have been talks for over a year now and no one knows what will come out of that. My manager says that he can't promise me if/when there'll be a Manager position will open up.

Recently a position opened up in another department, which would practically mean a promotion if I got the job.

Current job:
-Senior Associate
-100% WFH
-£33k
-Easy job

New job:
-Manager
-2 days in the office (I'll need to relocate but I wouldn't mind, in fact might be better for me as I'm considering moving there regardless)
-£40k
-Boring and demanding job

Of course there's a chance I might not get the job but the hiring manager thinks very highly of me and I'd be a very strong candidate. I just want to make my mind up fully before applying not to mess them about.

My friends think I'm being unreasonable for wanting to leave my 100% remote job for not much gain. Would you apply for the new position?

No I wouldn't take it. Not worth $7000 a year with lots of stress and boring. Who would give up WFH. You'll be miserable. At least I would. I was offered a promotion back before I retired but didn't take it because it sounded boring and I liked what I was doing already.

Go for it OP. Shame the new role would be boring, but demanding work is excellent for developing quick/confident decision making, risk assessment and calm under pressure. If you nail those qualities your next jump may be much more than 7k! Plus hybrid is better for visibility, learning on the job and sanity in my case. I love the routine of getting out of the house 2-3 days pw.

I’ve just gone from a wfh job to two days in the office. I was stagnating and was getting a bit down. It’s a bit of a journey but in a nice part of London and I’m enjoying the bit of life! Some bits of my new role are boring but I’ve had uber demanding roles for less pay so boring is all good 😊

I'd only do it as part of a bigger plan to earn more in a better paid, easier job. As a stepping stone, yes as a permanent job, no. Plus if you hate it can you get your old job back???

I hate WFH, it's colossally dull. Surely every job can be a bit boring sometimes. I echo those who say you have to think strategically, and view it as a stepping stone to the next promotion.

Go for it. This could be a stepping stone to a great career and other opportunities. It may be £7k now, but in 2-3 years, it could be another promotion and another £7k or even more.

I made a similar decision about 16 years ago. I was on £27k in an easy job, that I could do with my eyes shut. 16 years on (with one awful job under my belt), I’m on over £70k in a job I absolutely love. Back to having a real hybrid role and manage my own diary and workload.

If you aren’t bothered about progressing, stay where you are. If you want to be a manager and progress, go for it. Good luck.

I love WFH, no commute, can go for a walk on the common when I need a break, watch Below Deck in my lunch hour or have lunch with friends.

I would be tempted back into the office but not for 7k.

The 'boring' bit for me would do it. The extra money isn't enough to end up in a job you dislike .

Do it. Do it for the opportunities down the line, the career you want, and because it will be easier to make these changes now while you don’t have kids. If you’re not planning to have any then it’s less of a problem, but personally I would find making these changes far more difficult now I have children - which naturally makes progression harder.

Obviously go for it. Its career progression. People are honing in on the boring but you said your job is easy now so must be boring to some extent. Ignore all the spoiled people on here who can't possibly do anything other than work from home! The horror! I go into the office 1 day a week (1 hr commute each way) and its fine. I get to see everyone I work with and they're great people. I often choose to go in another day now and again.

Also 7k is a LOT of money. Don't let posh/rich snobs let you think it isn't.

Your circumstances (renting, no children, ambitious for promotion) sound like this step would be worth it to you. You only have to do it until you have proved yourself, and are ready to apply for the next one.

Not on its own unless there was strong progression potential compared to your old job

As someone much later in career and with a family absolutely do it! Everyone has to do something they don’t “love” along the way with an eye on progression, and as others have said it’s much easier to make these adjustments pre family! It’s a short term step for a much longer term gain… Bearing in mind most of us at this stage in life/career spent their 20’s/early 30’s working 5 x 10hr days a week in the office, I really don’t think 2 days in an office is a hardship, we’ve all just got used to an easier way of working! And before I get jumped on WFH is a fantastic move especially for women juggling work and caring responsibilities whatever they may be.. I’m a fan and have been doing it since 2008 pre family, albeit with a lot of travelling abroad for work wrapped in. But if you earn it when you’re young and without responsibilities, both in terms of commitment and visibility in an organisation and in terms of career progression you’ll see it paid back tenfold when you really need it further down the line. In terms of a potentially 40 year career a couple of years doing something boring is nothing!

Go for it.
Especially as it fits with your overall plan of moving.
Going into management comes with more prospects. So you will have more increases and opportunities in future as a result.
Of course it's more demanding. More senior jobs are more demanding.
WFH full-time is awful for well-being, creativity, learning and just about everything else.

It's your career not theirs

My friends DS had some sort of small MH crisis WFH all the time as he was so isolated. He is also single and no kids though a bit younger than you are at about 27.

If you have kids or are anxious or socially awkward then I can see why WFH appeals. Note I didn’t say introverted as being a true introvert just means you need time to recharge your batteries from being round people, people mix up this meaning all the time on MN.

What of just a quick drink after work etc I mean maybe you will never make a true friend at work but I certainly did, I have known one for 35 years though we haven’t worked together for close to 30 years now.

The only reason possibly not to take the job is it’s boring and demanding.

It’s not a lot if she has to relocate, it will be dwarfed by stamp duty and moving costs.

I’m not socially awkward, just lazy and don’t like having to leave the house on cold dark mornings. I get to socialise much more if I’m WFH. People drop in all the time and I can take a whole afternoon off if I fancy.

I totally understand OP is keen to progress but boring jobs can be soul destroying.

I've only read your op. My initial thought is, if you have children who if not go for the new job.

You say it’s a boring job, how long till you get bored?

The closing date it next Tuesday. I'll mull it over at the weekend, but I'm leaning towards applying and negotiating for £45k.

Yes, purely from having read your updates because this job will get you somewhere you want to be and on the housing ladder. No brainer - do it as a stepping stone to a non boring job

Good for you @Benji92 . Remember they will be lucky to have you in the role when you go into negotiate and get as much as you can!

Go for it! It sounds like an excellent stepping stone and being in the office twice a week is a good thing for a young single person. More opportunity to socialise and networking!

I just left a remote job for a hybrid job that's more demanding and I 100% regret it. I have a toddler and having to go the office every day is killing me.