Turn down job offer that requires 4 days a week.in office?

[Greenbootgrass]

Hi All

Offered a new role at a different company, salary increase and better pension however....

I currently wfh 2 days a week, new job only allows 1 day a week wfh

Am I mad to say no to this?

Really enjoy my 2 days a week at home, comfy clothes, no commute ( hour each way) and doing errands etc at lunchtime.

How old are you and how much better is the pension? And could you suck it up for a bit then move onwards ?

I think the company’s statement about the mandatory four days a week in the office (which is basically nonsense) speaks volumes for their attitude.

Wait a year and they will be telling people to come in five days a week … this is an employer to avoid!

if you can gracefully decline the role whilst making it ultra clear why you are doing so, it might land with them. But they are unlikely to listen. Stay put!

Wait a year and they will be telling people to come in five days a week … this is an employer to avoid!

That crossed my mind too

So you currently go to the office 3 days a week? So new role is only 1 additional day in the office and an extra 2hrs commuting a week for extra 10%?

How much extra take home pay is it after tax and commuting costs? How do you commute - is it train where you get a seat and can relax / read a book etc or are you driving or other as that is a factor.

@fluffi the OP currently does 2 office days per week

Why did you apply for the job in the first place? Are you at a point where you're looking for a change? Are there other reasons the new job appeals? Are there any perks to working for these people?
10% is quite significant.. for me, that would mean an extra holiday a year!
Is the 1 day wfh absolutely non negotiable? Might that change after 6 months with the company? Or could you approach them to see if they have any discretion with this?
Do you know anyone who works/worked there?
Ask yourself if you might be asking 'what if,' if you didn't take the post.
I think, if it were me, I'd be tempted to try it.. you can always move on again if it's not for you!
Good luck!

…. And in a few years time, you will complain that your career isn’t progressing. You need to make decisions on if you want a nice comfy job where you WFH or a career, where you need to be more visible. Neither options are wrong, but decisions need to be made.

To answer various questions ....

New role was advertised as hybrid so I wrongly assumed 3 days a week in the office max , I currently do 3 days a week in the office

Commute is an hour each way for both new role and existing role, standing room only London tubes , can be longer if things go wrong

Another 5 to 7 years to go until retirement or part time , both roles reasonably long hours, 8.30 to 6.30pm normal, don't take a lunch break when in office and work later as needed , some weekend work required depending on workload but usually only twice a month

I don't think I would have gone for the role of the recruiter had said at the outset that it was 4 days a week in office .

However new job offer does have much better pension contribution from employer

100% No from your OP and updates. 10% pay rise would nowhere near compensate for the commute time and lack of flexibility for me. I don’t think it’s salary dependent, as a PP suggested, because that’s all relative. It’s the quality of day to day living.

Stay put unless the new one is a stepping stone to a higher paid position in another company that fully understands how beneficial WFH is for employers and employees too.

My boss knows that I knock out my best work from home, when able to concentrate in silence fully. But I have proven this over the last 4 years.

Definitely turn it down OP if you want to work mainly from home - they'll fill the vacancy soon enough I'm sure.

I currently work from home pretty much full time - but if my employer wanted me back in the office full time, then so be it! Ya know, since they pay my wages, and all...

I wouldn't do it. But I'm the one who just started a thread about WFH. I'd not go back to being in the office often unless I was offered a LOT and I mean a lot-for all the reasons you mentioned and more!

I wouldn't accept either. There's a lot to be said for hybrid and flexible working. I think back to leaving the house at 7:30am, getting home at almost 7pm, i don't know where I found time for anything else.

I recently delayed accepting a job offer until I could discuss the day I had to be in the office with the manager. They said they could be flexible on it, which was good news, otherwise the day the hiring manager told me would have meant turning it down.

Definitely not. I'm 4 days now wft, 1 day in the office. Couldn't go back to more than that now.

Hmm, I feel like those that are prepared to suck it up and go to work will possibly have easy pickings over the next few years as they'll have scant competition.

I've always had to go to work as my job is largely site based (construction adjacent industry) so I'm always a bit perplexed by all the people that suddenly claim not to be able to hack it.

This might not sound helpful, but it just boils down to 'do you want to?' If you are not too fussed about the raise then don't! Don't have to do anything in this life

I personally wouldn’t. My company has allowed staff to continue wfh full time after Covid. I go to the office 1-2 times a month when the rest of the team are due to be in.

I get more done at home, no commuting costs and see my kids for breakfast and tea everyday.

work/life balance worth much more than money

@Jumpingthruhoops there's just no reason to be like that.

the OP has the choice of who to work for, if you don't feel confident enough to change jobs that's a you problem, the OP has choices.

@Greenbootgrass have you worked out what the difference in your pension woukd be when you retire?

id probably suck it up, short term, get the salary increase & start looking for a more WFH at that salary. Easier to get it, when that's what your current salary is.

But 5-7 years from retiring, I wouldn't blame you for not taking it. Nothing to stop you still looking for other opportunities!

I love my job and have zero desire to change it - nothing to do with 'lacking confidence'.

I do suspect though that, going forward, companies will require a little more office attendance, with candidates who appear more keen being looked upon more favourably.

I wouldn’t op, mainly due to the extra commute. I’m not sure a small pay rise will be worth it. And your extra transport costs. Do be honest with them about your thoughts.

I am your age. Given that you have 5-7 years to retirement, it sounds like the 10% increase and better pension would be pretty important at this stage, unless you are very comfortable financially. Working an extra day at the office doesn’t sound like a hardship and you can’t rely on getting part time work past retirement, so you need to use these years as productively as possible. At this age it’s about smart planning not personal comfort, unless the money is irrelevant.

I currently only go into the office once a month. Recently got offered a job with a £15k salary increase which was really interesting etc. but they said 3 days a week in office and fixed hours 9-5 when I’ve always done flexible times. After considering commuting costs and some worse benefits I turned it down. No regrets the flexibility I have now is invaluable. Do what makes your life easier

A 10% pay crease would make a huge difference in my life. I’m
surprised do many think that it’s ‘nothing’.

Commute for both roles an hour each way so 2 hours a day total

Salary increase 10per cent

That's not worth it

Having wfh for 3 yrs now if they wanted me back to the office I'd leave . And they know it so I'm the only person wfh .