Work dilemma

[Cannotdecide1]

Just a bit of background to my situation…I have been on maternity leave for a year and I’m due back to my current role in a couple of weeks. I’m comfortable in my role and know what I’m doing but I will be returning for 4 days a week which is initially more than I wanted to do as I wanted to spend more time at home with my baby.

In the past couple of weeks I have been contacted about applying for 2 potential roles in different areas of the business and I’m really conflicted about what to do.

Job 1 - would offer a lot of flexibility and the part time days I originally wanted to do, it is also in the area of the business that I’m very interested in and have previously worked in. The only problem is this job isn’t guaranteed so might not go ahead.

Job 2 - would be the same number of days as my current role but would be a step up in the business and more money. I also have experience in this area but it would be a lot of work and potentially very stressful. It would also take me out of my comfort zone.

Or I could just stay in my current role as it’s safe and comfortable.

I really can’t decide what to do and need to make a decision asap. I’ve always wanted to step up but I’m concerned that the timing isn’t right and my worries are balancing work and home life, especially having been out of the work loop for over a year.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice they could offer please?

Personally I’d go for Job 2 as I’m always looking for the next step up. It’s very hard accepting a promotion with a young baby, but if your employer is fairly flexible you will make it work.

What are the progression opportunities attached to job 1? It sounds the better 'now' option but you need to balance that with the immediate progression offered by role 2.

Always job 2 for me but I’m ambitious

I would go for 1 with the flexibility, but only on condition that I could go back to my previous role if it all fell through.

Job 2. Tbh there is never an ideal time to step up. Going back after a baby is an adjustment anyway, so might as well use that time to move to a new job as well. There is no guarantee that your old job will feel the same anyway (new people, new meeting routines, new processes and biggest one of all, you have changed!)

Job 2 for me! I may consider a secondment into job 1 later down the line if it's helpful in my career pathway

Job 2- if they've got confidence in you I'm sure you'll do a great job. Worst case if it doesn't work our you can ask for a step down later

As a pp alluded to, is there an option of a trial period with either role?
If it’s not working after 3 months, you can return to existing role?

It all depends on your personal circumstances. Reading your post though, I would go for Job 2. You have experience to do that job so why not? Job 1 isn’t guaranteed so I wouldn’t go for that one.
Could you come to some sort of negotiation with your current employer in regards to working hours?

Thanks for your replies, looks like the majority would go for job 2 and it has certainly made me think further about it. Pre-maternity I would have gone for it without a second thought.

Unfortunately I don’t think there would be the option for a trial period and I have already had to negotiate my hours for my current role so they won’t offer any further reduction.