Does anyone feel like helping me decide whether to apply for this job?

[poachedeggs]

I've had the same job since qualifying several years ago and I love it. I now work part-time, have a very longstanding base of clients and lovely colleagues, plus time to juggle running the house and looking after my young DC.

But I know my employer is considering cutting my hours. I can't afford for that to happen. I have very limited potential for progression. It's common knowledge that I really want to remain in this area for lots of reasons so my job opportunities are very limited.
A job has come up which is full time (but office hours), with equivalent pay and better conditions. It means side-stepping out of my profession. It means seeing less of DH and the DC (DH works shifts so we often have weekdays off together). It's in an area of my current field which I find pretty tedious. I'm on paper a good candidate but I know I'll have to work hard to focus through the waffle and mumbo jumbo which bores me silly.

WWYD?

Go for it! Sounds like a better long term option.

I didn't want to go back until the DC were bigger but thus is a good opportunity and I think I'd be a good candidate. Hmmmmm.

How likely is the hours reduction? Bearing in mind the new job will be 'tedious' and involve seeing less of your family..

Hmmm. I'm not sure - if I made clear to my current employer that I couldn't sustain this job on less hours I like to think we could work something out. But it's not a good basis, is it? For complex boring logistical reasons I'm the most obvious person to cut despite being more experienced than most of my colleagues.

Personally I'd apply for the job, then if you get an interview I'd speak to my employer (assuming you're comfortable doing this) and explain why you're looking at other positions. I know they can't give you a cast-iron guarantee they will never cut your hours but if you're a valued employee hopefully they would be straight with you about the chances of your hours being cut. It may also make your employer think about how important you are in your role and that they don't want to lose you.

How old are your DC?