Should I take a job that pays less?

[IDontLikeMondays88]

I currently work pt (4 days) in a law firm. I am not desperately unhappy there and get a good amount of flexibility in terms of working from home and working part time. I generally finish at 5 albeit sometimes the role requires additional hours at the weekend or once my DD has gone to bed.

I don’t particularly like my boss and never really have done despite the flexibility. I’m not a partner but quite senior but I feel she often undermines me and is just quite indifferent to me. For example exciting projects will go to other lawyers rather than me, especially since I came back from mat leave. I feel l should be making a move.

I’ve applied for a full time role that pays about £10k less than my current part time role but it’s in the public sector.

Is this madness? Can’t decide whether it’s a good strategic move for me or if I just stick it out where I am.

I feel public sector likely to offer good work life balance and generally a bit less pressure but that could just be my perception.

I am considering much the same. I applied for various public sector things last years, but in the end couldn’t stomach the pay cut AND increased hours. After car allowance and bonus it was a very significant drop in income. Post the CoL increases, I’m glad I didn’t take a pay cut, but equally I am still stuck in a job I don’t enjoy.

I have done it. I took a significant paycut and moved to the public sector. But my job was extremally stressful and I was heading towards a burnout..I was so stressed I couldn't sleep at night and had no patiance and time for DC.

So I went to a public sector role..it's still reasonably senior and lets me mantain my skills and gain new experiance. When I'm ready for public sector again this time will definitly not be wasted!

My new job is so so chilled in compsrison the previous one. I have all the flexibility I need, can do school pick ups and drop offs, can work from home..When schools announced strikes I didn't have to worry about it at all! My employer is just supportive..
I love it..For me, at this stage in my life with young DC, the paycut was worth it.

Re hours- I worked full time before but had to work extra all the time, in the current role I don't have to work extra at all

What type of role/industry did you move from/to? @ViaBlue (if not too outing)

I did, granted it wasn't 1000s but it was still a pay cut. I went from higher education to private but I did it because if I didn't my job was going to kill me, the flexibility didn't outweigh the bullying and lack of progression. I work longer hours but in return I have an amazing boss, better perks and a job I love and am proud off. My life has improved 10 fold and I'm no longer stressed and on the verge of a mental breakdown.

Why don't you keep looking for a while? Seems extreme.

@ScandiNoirNuit I can't give specific info as would be outing but the change could be compared to something like a senior accountant for a big buisness becoming specialised tax inspector for HMRC