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Original poster

Would you take a job on £20k if....

31 replies

santachick · 03/12/2022 10:44

If it got you into a better working life? I'm currently a cleaner. I work all sorts of silly hrs and get phoned at the drop of a hat. I've secretly been applying for other things and have been offered a job on £20k that has great pension and opportunities also no weekends, late nights or bank holidays. It's a 360 completely different job which I have no experience in which is probably why they have offered me the 20k

Whats your thoughts?

OP posts:
BlueG4 · 03/12/2022 10:45

I did this in order to retrain. If the job will open up other avenues and opportunities to you it's worth doing it. You could maybe do some cleaning on the side from time to time if it leaves you a bit tight?

RandomPerson42 · 03/12/2022 10:46

Is £20k a goo dwage where you live or not?
How much do you currently earn?
£20k is about minimum wage.

rose69 · 03/12/2022 10:46

If you can afford to take it. Congratulations.

Findyourneutralspace · 03/12/2022 10:47

Its all relative. For me that would be a significant drop in wage, but if it wasn’t and it had potential to increase fairly rapidly I would. However, there would have to be support from either a higher earning partner or UC top ups or something.
Basically, it totally depends on the impact on your lifestyle.

UnderPowered · 03/12/2022 10:47

Well, what do you earn now? And what's your current pension situation?

LadyWithLapdog · 03/12/2022 10:48

Is it as good as that? Pensions are not amazing nowadays. Will it get you somewhere else and how soon? Not working the silly hours and weekends is attractive.

lechatnoir · 03/12/2022 10:48

How much of a drop in income is this? More importantly, can you afford it?

I took a lower paid job last year for the work life balance and it's so much less stressful and better for the family, but, I am now struggling financially and will need to take on a 2nd job or find something else on a higher wage.
Go for it if you can afford it and if there's potential for progression

Original poster
santachick · 03/12/2022 10:51

So currently I'm on £9:50 per hr and do 16 ish hrs a week but I work unsociable hrs and bank holidays etc. this job makes way for career development etc.

My husband is a ceo in his firm so I don't 'need' the money it's more of me doing something for me kinda thing

OP posts:
NewToWoo · 03/12/2022 10:51

Yes, for three reasons:
The pension is valuable and makes that 20k worth more
There is no career progression in cleaning, unless you set up a company and hire others. But there could be career progression in your new work, even if you train up, get experience and move elsewhere to do the same job for higher pay
If you know your hours, you can organise your life better. You could even keep a cleaning job at weekends or do one-off cleans for people, to top up your income.

Findyourneutralspace · 03/12/2022 10:51

In that case it sounds like a winner? Congratulations!

GiltEdges · 03/12/2022 10:53

As a PP said, it’s all relative isn’t it. For me personally, I couldn’t live on that money and still have the lifestyle I want to have, so it’d be a no. In your situation, it sounds like a vast improvement, so I’d go for it.

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 03/12/2022 10:55

Yes, in your circumstances, why not?

softpilllow · 03/12/2022 10:56

So currently I'm on £9:50 per hr and do 16 ish hrs a week but I work unsociable hrs and bank holidays etc. this job makes way for career development etc.

I don't fully understand why you are asking if people would move to a better paid job if they could? Surely the answer is yes?

Your OP gave the impression it would be a drop to £20k

MajesticWhine · 03/12/2022 10:56

II think you might enjoy this change and it sounds like it may lead to other opportunities.

Murasakispillowbook · 03/12/2022 10:59

santachick · 03/12/2022 10:51

So currently I'm on £9:50 per hr and do 16 ish hrs a week but I work unsociable hrs and bank holidays etc. this job makes way for career development etc.

My husband is a ceo in his firm so I don't 'need' the money it's more of me doing something for me kinda thing

Your husband is a CEO but you've had to work awful hours for minimum wage?

Is something else going on, OP?

CryCeratops · 03/12/2022 11:38

I’m not seeing any downside to taking this job?

Better money, better hours, better pension, better opportunities for career progression…

I’d take it in your position.

Newwardrobe · 03/12/2022 11:45

Why on earth have you been working in a job with awful hours if your husband is a ceo and you don't need the money? I get that it's important to be financially independent but I would have found a better job ages ago.

If you are questioning whether to take the job or not, what are your reservations?

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 03/12/2022 11:48

Newwardrobe · 03/12/2022 11:45

Why on earth have you been working in a job with awful hours if your husband is a ceo and you don't need the money? I get that it's important to be financially independent but I would have found a better job ages ago.

If you are questioning whether to take the job or not, what are your reservations?

The OP is wise to keep her hand in in the workplace.

emilydickinsonscat · 03/12/2022 11:49

In your circumstances why wouldn't you?
Have you got children?
I don't and I would be bored shitless if I didn't work in some capacity (ok that's a lie - I'm someone who can potter around very happily day after day)
But I am divorced and I needed to get a career to support myself - turns out I like work!

MajesticWhine · 03/12/2022 11:50

I don't think that is a helpful or supportive comment @Newwardrobe
But fabulous that you would have found a better job ages ago. 👏

lechatnoir · 03/12/2022 11:51

Is this new job full time or similar hours?

Ivyblu · 03/12/2022 11:55

@PlaitBilledDuckyPuss OP is wise indeed. I'm interested too though there's a huge leap from OPS first and second post updates.

TimBoothseyes · 03/12/2022 12:28

That's what I was on in my last job (just been made redundant....again). Started work at 6am, home by 1.45 Monday - Friday. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could as the work/life balance was perfect and the £ was so much better than MW. I'm due to start a new job next week, earing 23k but it's triple shifts. I'd go back to my old job in a heartbeat if it was possible.

TimBoothseyes · 03/12/2022 12:29

Don't know why I put that last sentence sorry.

OppositeNumber · 03/12/2022 12:56

I did this - took a pay cut from £30k to minimum wage so I could retrain. Less than 3 years later I’m on more than £47k. I’m not wild about my job but I do like the pay and perks.