Job security or job satisfaction?

[jeezaluiza]

AIBU to prioritise security over satisfaction?

Currently work as a designer in a small independent consultancy. Think bean bags in the office, apple macs, very fun and rewarding projects at the cutting edge of our industry, big private clients, a good reputation. The type of job I’d have dreamed of as a kid, and love. Have worked here for 12 years, salary circa £45k, with not much room to increase this very far, as I’m just under director level as it is and I don’t think the salary jump is huge. Commute is 30 mins by train, and I work in the office most days but do have flexibility to WFH as needed, averaging 1 day per week. Can make my own hours to an extent - go in late / leave early / work through lunch etc. Small company so no benefits really - SSP etc. Defined contribution pension, 3% employer contribution.

However - I’m a bit concerned about job security - I know we are struggling to break even at the moment and have been running a loss for some months. Directors have been making concerning remarks about cash flow and prioritising keeping people in employment.

I have been offered a public sector job, slightly lower grade than I am currently (£38k salary) but with scope to progress through management to probably higher salaries. The job will be much less fulfilling - very basic design work compared to what I’ve been used to, with very low budgets. Office is closer geographically, but harder to get to - likely a 20 minute drive with no designated parking, or two trains plus a walk. 3 days in office, 2 WFH. Career average pension, 6 months sick pay, death in service, plus other benefits. And option to condense hours to 4 days.

I feel like this is a bit of a career defining (or career ending?!) move, but also that I’d be unreasonable to turn down a public sector job with these benefits and security with two young kids - but my head is fried trying to make a decision.

AIBU to take the public sector role?

I’d be very cautious about the public sector or civil service at present as there is a great deal of job insecurity there especially in creative roles. You may be better staying where you are and seeing what happens and if the worst does happen at least you will hopefully have some redundancy and be with friends/ colleagues together.

Public sector 4 days and set up yourself independently as a side hustle.

Talk to your current directors and get more information from them regarding their business projections.

I think it depends very much on the actual bit if the public sector, as redundancy is pretty common in the public sector too and there are always out backs.

Is there an option c of holding out for an even better role?

Oh I’m really surprised at the public sector insecurity responses. Not sure if this is a Scotland / England thing - the job is with a Scottish Local Authority / Council. Most people I’ve spoken with here are of the view that this is probably as secure as you can get… maybe that’s an out of date take though?!

This or similar.

Lots of CS job cuts are via 'natural wastage' and voluntary redundancy schemes are always oversubscribed. If the job has been approved to be advertised now following the demands of cuts then you can presume it's secure enough.

Edit to add: not sure about Scottish local authorities but generally they're still a lot more secure than the private sector.

@FearfulsaintsOption C is a good question.

I think the problem is I love my job and the small independent nature of it, but I’d (probably as we all would!) like better scope for salary progression, better benefits, and less constant stress of finding / winning work to keep the company going. Which is the opposite really of the small independent nature of it!

If I were to move to a competitor, it would either be similar scale with the same problems, or more corporate / a bigger enterprise - so less satisfaction there too with a likely more demanding workload.

I think I probably don’t really know what a better role looks like, or what I want.

Look for both

I have both

and exponentially improves quality of life

Are you single and live alone? Or partner? Planning on more children ie maternity leave?

12 years?

Id be pulling aside one of the directors to get the low down

Not planning any more children / maternity leave, have two under 5.

Live with partner, but I out-earn him and we would be in dire straits without my income.

If you’ve been there 12 years and small company you must be very close with some of the directors, if not the owner.

Have a chat. Get the low down.

However - I’m a bit concerned about job security - I know we are struggling to break even at the moment and have been running a loss for some months. Directors have been making concerning remarks about cash flow and prioritising keeping people in employment.

have you been aware that losing clients?

There are only 8 of us in the company, 2 directors, then me, and everyone else at more junior level. It would be a huge marketing blow for me to leave given my length of service and seniority.

I’m not saying I don’t trust them to be honest… we actually have a great relationship! But equally from a business perspective, I can clearly see there’s no way they’re not going to try to spin me a positive outlook. They’re certainly not going to tell me I should be considering another job.

I can see the forecasts myself, and am aware there’s minimal buffer. Conversations are around minimising any unnecessary expenditure to conserve cash flow, and trying hard to win more work. It has felt a bit like this at times before - it does sort of come in waves! - but it’s the first time I’ve really felt the pressure with two young kids and a mortgage to pay.

The question is why

losing clients?

salary circa £45k, with not much room to increase this very far, as I’m just under director level as it is and I don’t think the salary jump is huge

not much of a jump to director level from £45k? I think you’d be surprised Op OR they are on a very low salary for director level in this kind of role

Presumably you know the owner?

Not losing Clients specifically - our reputation is good and our work is good. Client feedback is excellent.

There’s just less work around at present. Far less opportunities to bid than is normal for the time of year. Have spoken off the record with friends in other consultancies in the industry and it’s a widespread feeling. But we’re a small company, increased NI bills, etc. Small waves in demand hit us quite hard.

I’d carry on job hunting

no way would I accept a pay cut from £45k
and the job sounds as dry as hell

there’ll be a middle ground op that will blend both

The salary bands are transparent, director salary would be £5-10k more at most.

And I know directors have taken a discretionary pay cut over the past few months due to these financial issues.

Profit (when there is any!) goes into trust and is split between all staff.

Over a lifetime of working (many jobs) I've always prioritised a job I loved over anything else. If I don't love the job, the workload, the people, the working environment, I'm out.
Security never trumps all that. I've worked in places on their last legs and twice somewhere where eventually we were all made redundant/the place closed down.
I never had a problem finding other work though, and maybe times were different to now?

In that case, I’d be job hunting. Hard. Like really hard.

but I wouldn’t take the job you have been offered.

It sounds like you have no choice but to leave your small company as your job is very insecure there.

Take the public sector job but don’t feel it’s for life! Maybe for 3-4 years maximum while you decide whether to go back into private sector or small business. In that time you accumulate public sector, management experience and can relax a bit.

I agree the public sector role is as secure as it gets in the UK today. And as it’s newly advertised, senior management will have discussed long and hard whether the job is warranted and decided that it is.

Thanks for your insight / advice @Longtoe- I guess I’m wondering about the public sector progression and whether there might be more scope there to move up in salary, with more security and less commercial stress of changing markets. I’d see this job as a short term stepping stone into moving around within that structure, rather than a long term settle, if that makes any difference.

But yeah, I think I have to jump anyway, or wait out / work towards a big expansion of my current company that’s big enough to cover increased wages and benefits!

And if it’s going down the tubes, I suspect your love for the job will start to diminish anyway

Thanks @EdisinBurgh- I’m reassured you agree with the security, I’m assuming from your username you’re also north of the border!

I just worry that I won’t be able to compete for private sector jobs after a few years of doing the job at a much lower scale / budget than peers, so it feels like a decision for life just now… either stay as a designer on a fairly capped salary, or take the security and possibly move away from design / more into team management and other progression opportunities in the council, with the associated security / benefits.

Pension is a hard one to overlook!

But yes, I suppose nothing is forever, or impossible! And there may be a way back if I really wanted to move again.