Bad idea?

[threelittlebabies]

Dh was made redundant from his job in Nov. Took 4 months to get something else- which he hates, but does it anyway. He recently applied for a job in the prison service, which would give him great career prospects, job satisfaction and more time with the children. He got the job- but the money is beyond crap. In the last 6m we have halved our income, as I am on mat leave, and we would drop another £2k for this.
Feel so sorry for him- poor guy can't get a break and is feeling useless. Had pinned his hopes on getting this job to rescue him from his current one- now he has but can't take it. Can he?
Is there any chance that he could negotiate more money if it's on a pay scale, and others are being appointed to the same job? He has to let them know by Thursday, so any ideas for the best way to approach the conversation? TIA

i don't think they'd negotiate on wages... not that much anyway, especially if they are taking on other people on the same wage.

is there potential for promotion and pay rises once he is in? if so then i'd say he should take it.

2k a year less is around £166 a month, could you manage on that much less? bear in mind that if he earns less you may be entitled to more tax credits and other benefits

It's very unlikely if it's a government/public job but it's very possible (i've done it myself) for a private company.

Agree about checking out about tax credits etc, it seems a shame to turn down a job where he'd actually get satifaction - it's w orth a lot in itself!

starlover- thanks for reply and suggestions. I had suspected as much, but we decided he may as well ask, and explain the situation to them. They do want him for the job, and they don't need to know he hates his current one
There is definitely the potential for both pay rise and promotion- the former might be 12m away, not sure about the latter.
I am just going through everything trying to get rid of unnecessary expenditure (!) Going to 'phone tax credit people on Mon, and thought about asking mortgage co for repayment hol until I go back to work. Is there anything else I haven't thought of? Am not defeatist, but my mum is anxiously telling me we can't do this, and I'm not sure if she is right.

i have a few friends who work in the Prison system and they have been promoted through the ranks quite rapidly.
i'd go for it, if it is financially viable to do so. we have less money since closing our business but our change in mood far outweighs the effects of having a lower income. we know that eventually our new venture will increase turnover and we'll be better off. and to us it's worth the necessary sacrifices to be happier as a couple/family.
hope everything works out for you....

3lb's never mind your mother what do you feel ??

queenrollo- that's what we thought re promotion. We possibly could manage but it would be beyond tight. Also he would be on 12m probation- so not sure if could get promoted/payrise in that time.

LGJ- I don't know what to think tbh. Really want dh to be happy at work for once, and he has extremely low self esteem re his career. It would mean giving up and going without a lot of things- not sure if we would be being fair/responsible if he took the job.