Wise mumsnetters please help me solve my dilemma

[justaphase]

I have a DS (2) and always wanted to have another child relatively close together. We have been trying for about 6 months but have problems (I get UTIs all the time and have to take long courses of ABs) so basically I don't know how long it will take to concieve.

I am in a job that I absolutely hate but it pays very well (I am the main breadwinner). The company has fantastic maternity policy (6 months full pay) and I have been there for 6 years. I did not always hate the job btw, it changed after I came back from maternity leave.

I am being offered a job with another company. It is the same money, perhaps more. It is a very interesting oportunity with good potential to develop into something even more interesting.

However, I have no idea what their maternity policy is.

So, what do I do? Do I grind my teeth and stick it out in the horrible old job, hope I can get pregnant soon, take the money and then look for something else after maternity leave

OR

Go for exciting new oportunity and put off TTC for another 6-12 months.

Please help, any thoughts appreciated.

I'd make my starting point in negotiations

Current salary + percentage for moving jobs (I wouldn't usually move for less than a 10% or more increase) + add in what you think the difference would be so eg, if you would lose 3 months mat if you got preg in new co then ask for Old salary + 4 months mat + percentage increase knowing you can negotiate down slightly but still have enough money to fund additional 3 months yourself.

There you go!

Sorted!

WWW - how about going into business as job negotiators?!

Is it through an agent or direct? Because agents are sometimes v good at negotiating on your behalf.

I think you need to get the 3 months pay diff as part of the increase for moving.

I don't tihnk you have to be employed for a year any more to get benefits do you?

you're on dottydot! (thanks for kind note on my test thread btw, read and didn't have time to respond, no results yet but thanks!)

(no problem - was going to bump it this evening but tests seem to take so flipping long to come through I thought you might not have the results yet. Fingers crossed...)

Thanks very much www, and everyone else. It is through an agent so I will employ their help at negotiating but it is highly unlikely that I would be able to get anything much above my current salary. In fact, I think I would be lucky to get current salary but the job does come with a slightly better lifestyle so all other things being equal I would have been happy with it. Assuming they do give me a decent offer I think I'll take it and then worry about everything else as it comes.

oh, and btw I am also impulsive and stroppy

Good luck!

And ime new co would expect to pay you MORE than current salary - people rarely move for the same money unless it's a strategic move. So you might be surprised. Why don't you make those noises to the agent and see what they say, they may be able to go back and ask if there's any flexibility in starting salary. and before you start is best time to haggle for what you want, it's a question of keeping your nerve I've always found! I got a 10% increase on the salary I was first offered this way.

And it's a bank, they rarely worry about the odd £xK here and there, it's immaterial