Would you leave a permanent job for temporary job?

[bonfireheart]

Current job -
Mix of WFH and travel to an office 2.5 hours away, travel paid for by myself, the days I go to office end up being very long and need me to juggle childcare
£50k salary, civil service pension
Line management of 9 people
Long hours due to nature of organisation, little work/life balance some days
A lovely team who I get on with and are supportive
Difficult Line manager who makes no secret they want a promotion and that is their entire focus

Job vacancy
18 month contract, extension dependent on funding
Mix of WFH and travel to office 20 mins away
£59k salary, civil service pension
Line management of two people
I've spoken to the person who would Line manage and they're well known in the industry and highly respected

Is it even worth applying?

I would. I quit a permanent job I hated for a 6 month contract I love.

I definitely would for an 18 month contract.

Yes, you never know where it might lead, either extended or to something else related. 18 months is a decent fixed term, gives you chance to develop the role.

For an 18 month contract yes absolutely.

18 months? Hell yeah!

I left a permanent job for a 3 month contract. That 3 month contract got extended and they asked me to apply for a permanent position several times. I was there for 18 months and had 5 months left on that contract when I quit for (at that time) a month long contract. I had 5 months left on that contract and turned down a job that had 6 months because it didn’t feel right, even though I knew the 5 month wouldn’t be extended and there was a chance the other one would.

If it feels right, do it.

Thank you - I always overthink everything and let opportunities pass me by, am going for it :)

If they are both civil service jobs, would you have to be made redundant at the end of the contract due to your total continuous service?

18 month contract looks like a far better job, setup and opportunity.

Could you request a secondment?

I was going to say no, but tbh 18 months is pretty good. Save the extra money if you can.

They won't allow me on a secondment. Last time I asked I was told "...but then we'd need to get someone in to cover you"...despite the fact they let everyone else go on secondments.

Apply - you only need to make the decision if you get offered the job.

Absolutely would. My husband left a permanent job (with final salary pension and a million other perks) after a 10 year stint and going to a temporary contract. Three more temporary contracts later, he's doubled his salary in 3 years. Do it.

Yes, I would. I've just applied for a temporary role as a quick way to leave a job that's running me into the ground. It pays very well because it's a short contract and not suitable for everyone, but it would give me enough time to either get my foot in the door or look for something else.

God yes. I've done it twice for a higher level role. With 18 months on offer, I'd have no doubts at all.

Yes!

Definitely apply, you haven’t got the job yet so no need to worry now

If you do get the job, I kind of feel like it’s the done deal in civil service to move around and take jobs like this to propel your career? At least it is in my company, so I would recommend you go for it

Think about it this way, you presumably would like to work at the more local office long term, so this role would be a good opportunity for you to see what it’s like, get to know the people there etc. most likely it would make it easier for you to apply for a permanent role there in due course

I’d definitely consider doing this. I don’t like my job and 18 months is a good time.

What funding is it on?

Yes for 18 months I would go, if it's EU funded it will likely just move to be funded via the Government replacement funds.

I would. Your permanent job sounds a ballache in comparison.

Extra £9k and less money on childcare/travel will be handy if you don't manage to line up another contract or job immediately after.