Job dilemma

[Themusicis0utside]

I need to get a clear head on a certain issue. I work two part time jobs, one in the private sector and work as a low grade NHS worker.

I've been offered a full time position in the private sector job, which is more suited to my abilities and is more exciting. The pay is also greater (I'll be getting £2k more a year by working full time in one job instead of working full time with two jobs) and the commute is much shorter, so much so, I could walk to work or cycle in! I wouldn't say it was less job security, but out of the two jobs, the NHS job has more perceived job security than the private one.

In my early 50s, I just can't get past the nagging feeling about the risks of leaving the NHS job. I know I can grind this out until I retire... even though the job is boring...

People say that this could be the only chance I have to jump ship into the private sector job, as they don't offer extra hours very often.

What would you do?

Sorry what is the benefit to you of sticking with the part time nhs role? Will you lose pension or similar if you leave?
Everything you put here is that the FT job is better in terms of location, pay, commute.

I don’t understand, what risks are you referring to.?

Take the FT role and use the extra money to build up savings.

I'd be less interested in the £2k per year headline salary difference and far more concerned with the pension implications, particularly at your age. Is your NHS pension a defined contribution scheme?

I clicked too soon. I'd expect you to be in a defined benefit scheme with NHS, and the NHS is usually one of the best. Probably career average rather than final salary these days, and I don't know the %s with PT etc - but likely to be worth a lot?

Take it you have more money and its closer

@Bluntness100

I don’t understand, what risks are you referring to.?

The NHS is public sector and therefore generally offers more benefits such as flexible working, generous pension etc. They are also seen to stick to the rules more. So even if you are made redundant, they should stick to a proper process, give you a decent severance package etc. You generally have to be pretty crap/killed someone/shagged a manager and their wife found out to get sacked from the public sector.

There is the perception that in the private sector you can be let go with 24 hours notice and no severance package just because you wore the wrong colour shoes. Slight exaggeration, but this is how the private sector is viewed by the public sector.

I would look carefully at what the pension situation will be when you retire comparing the two options. You might be trading £2k per year more now by giving up £5k per year more throughout retirement (I don't know what the figure would be, that needs to be calculated). You could be living on that retirement income for another 3 decades and may not have any options to do anything about it if you find you can't make ends meet, so think about it carefully.

Also find out what the sick pay policy is at the private employer - any time between now and retirement age there's various things that are more likely in your 50s and 60s which could see you needing to stop work for a year or two (assuming successful treatment). If you have the nhs job you will retain some income from that but a lot of private sector jobs are SSP only.

I agree with @KihoBebiluPute - the sick pay is another thing to consider.