AIBU to be torn over a job offer - NHS

[Squeak4]

I work for the NHS full time, taking home around £2,400 a month.

I’ve just been offered a 3-day highly specialist Band 7 role in London…. I genuinely didn’t think I’d get it and now have to decide by the end of today!!!!

The problem is that because it’s only 3 days, my take-home would be much less, so I can’t actually afford to do it on its own.

Ideally, my dream would be to do the new job 3 days and stay with my current role for 2 days (I currently have a specialism one day a week).
However, I asked about reducing to 2 days and my manager said it would be very difficult, would require a formal flexible working application which could take a long time and might be rejected. She also said that if I did drop to two days, I likely have to stop doing my specialism and use those days for community to help the service.

Also, my supervisor said she’s hoping to build me a 2-day Band 7 role by the end of the year, which I would love. This is unlikely if I take the role :(. But I’m worried that if I stay, I’ll end up being Band 7 for 2 days and Band 6 community for 3 days indefinitely.

I also don’t hugely enjoy my current community caseload, but love my development role.

The current job does have huge advantages: flexibility, WFH, easy hours, and although the 45-minute drive each way is annoying, London will mean a longer/more complicated commute. Also, I absolutely ADORE my team they are all so lovely.

I’m just completely torn.
I genuinely cannot see the right answer. Also, I have about 6 hours to make a decision…. What would you do?

Take it. You can change your mind- NHS recruitment checks take an age and things might change in the current role. I was in a specialist role which needed more hours I couldn't get agreement for- guess what happened when I handed in my notice...

I still left though and the experience was a stepping stone to a very niche post which I love. But if you feel in a few days that it wasn't the right decision I'm sure they'll be happy for you to withdraw your notice.

When I was a manager in an NHS team, the fewest hours you could do was 0.5 owing to the huge amount of time all the stat man training takes ( as this is the same regardless of how many hours you work) so I’m not sure taking the new job will leave you the option of two days in the other.
Better to regret things you have done,rather than things you haven’t. Take the new job, look for bank work or two days of community or anything. New opportunities may also come up with the new team. This chance may not come up again.
An offer on paper is worth much more than a ‘promise’…….

I came to peace with a decision to take the new job and now I’m second guessing everything and freaking out!

I would take the new job. Waiting for a band 7 post in your current role could end up being a complete waste of time. Even if it happened it’s definitely not going to happen any time soon. The flexibility of your new job means you will be able to bank whilst also doing a job you love. Plus it will be easier to get another band 7 job in the future. I work for the nhs and movement in bands is very slow. Holding out for a post that may or may not appear imo puts you on a highway to no where. This is a fantastic opportunity for you and if it were me I would take it. Thinking long term the new post is better for pension and future career development. You will end up stuck if you stay where you are.

I’d take the new job, try to reduce current role/ or do bank while you look for something else.

Hi I’d also take it, long time nhs here, I had a post nearly 16 years ago that they planned to make into a 7 - same role still exists never changed. It’s lovely current manager wants to keep you & that’s likely to help with a flexi working request.

i think you’ve done the right thing accepting op - enjoy your new role.

Take the new role and submit a flexible working request. I’m also nhs and the chances of a new band 7 post being created are slim to none. Flexible working requests are usually processed quite quickly in my experience and your manager should definitely not be trying to dissuade you from applying .
Be very careful about staying in a job because you love the team - I’ve done that before. Teams naturally change - people move, take promotions, take time out , secondments. It won’t be the same team in 18 mths or 2 yrs. Look at what the role itself can offer you- in terms of pay, job satisfaction, opportunities for development. Wish you luck with it all and hope you take the new role!

Take the new B7 role. I’m an NHS nursing manager for a small team, and if I had a good member of staff who requested if she could drop down to 2 days as opposed to leaving I’d seriously consider it.
I’d also be highly sceptical of the promised B7 role in your current team as jobs are being reduced or cut everywhere and posts are not being routinely replaced like for like anymore. This new B7 role may not be the perfect fit but may put you in a position to consider other roles in the future. Also if you have to commute on a train ticket. 2
days in London is ideal as you can get a flexi season ticket which is a bit cheaper

Firstly you’ll get HCAS, look on NHS employers as their salary scales have a section that includes these allowances. Secondly, your manager can’t say she’s planning a 2 day band 7 post. It has to be advertised and interviews for, so no guarantee you’d get it. If someone who is already a band 7 and is in the redeployment pool, they’ll be offered it over you. You’ll find a 3 day band 7 with the London allowance will work out similar to a full band 6 outside London!

Don’t forget doing 2 jobs for different trusts means you’ll pay tax on every penny of the one that’s classed as a second job!

I’ve commuted from Kent to
london since 2014, it fine!

With how limited recruitment is at the moment - I'd never make the assumption they won't just pull the B7 role away in the future to save cash - they're down banding everything they can in my Trust at the moment (it's brutal)

That’s not true about the tax , your salary is your salary and your tax free allowance is the same no matter how many posts you have .it usually gets allocated to your ‘main’ job so it may look like the second is taxed more .
I’ve had split posts ( with different banding ) for years with fiddrr er ent employees and it’s fine

Congratulations @Squeak4, personally I think you’ve made the right decision. Pop your flexible working request in at your current job and see if you can get your hours reduced. I hope it all works out for you!

The advantages of your current post sound great, less travel, wfh and a brilliant team plus flexible working, you couldn't have it any better, though your current supervisor seems to want to promote you. Extra daily travel to London and working two jobs sounds a nightmare. A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush.

Look carefully at your commute into London - costs, journey time and stress. (busy trains/tube/bus in rush hours ?) For me, no job in London would be worth that journey.

I took a band 7 wfh role. I have not looked back and when I wanted to partially retire I retained my band 7 doing very few hours. Ive not looked back.
However, its so important to do what makes you happy. A good team is massively important, you spend many hours at work.
I cant advise other than to say to go for what gives you the best work life balance and the team you're in is pleasant to work with

I'd contact your new employers, explaining the situation, and checking whether they can make up those two days for you in other clinical work.

Then start essentially a bidding war. If your current employer wants to keep you, they have to offer you something on paper now, not "jam tomorrow "

See how it goes.

I’m not sure I have enough financial information to advise but 3 days in London for less money with higher travel costs doesn’t sound very attractive to me, even if the work would be more interesting.
The NHS doesn’t sound a great place to work!

Don't freak out. You have made a good decision and if it does not pan out how you expect you just make another decision.
I know it's easy to say, however as you have a skill they will want to retain you and there will be opportunities to expand and grow the new role.
Once you get into the job you can always ask to extend the hours.