DH had worked for the same company for almost ten years. They are flexible and understanding, which is great as we have small children and I have developed health issues over the past few years which means it is extremely valuable to have DH able to work from home or rush back from the office if he is needed here.
Valuable enough that it's been worth (in our estimation), a lack of career progression he could've had in a larger company. He has the example of former colleagues to go on and with his skillset could be on a salary 50% higher than what he's currently being paid. But as I said, for us the flexibility and personal relationship has been worth it.
However my health is much improved and our DCs will soon all be at school fulltime (within the next 18 months). DH feels ready to make more of an overt commitment to his career and it's becoming clear that he'll need to move jobs to do so. He's thinking he will start looking in the next year or so, depending on the job market. He is certain he wants to leave, though.
He was offered, today, a choice - a five grand payrise or a five grand bonus. He hasn't had a payrise for a couple of years and has recently taken on loads of extra responsibilty and the payrise would bring him in line with his collegues who are at a similar 'level'.
It seems to me that the payrise would be the better option, but he seems to think we would end up with 'more' money if he were to take the bonus.
Any advice? He works in financial services.