Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

Original poster

Impossible decision!

25 replies

Doremisofarsogood · 13/05/2023 00:29

I'd love impartial opinions please although it's too late as I've already committed! Since being made redundant from a corporate job 6 years ago I've been working in public sector and loved it! Pay is shit, conditions pretty similar and morale low..but I love it and feel I've found my place. To top up my income ice freelanced here and there for old contracts in the corporate world. Last few years been doing a regular contract for one company who have now asked me to take the leap and join them full-time. Financial benefits outweigh the one thing about my current job - I enjoy it. If I turn the opportunity down I lose my freelancing for them and would have to build.w connection elsewhere. Do I just take the leap and go back to corporate? My public sector employer has already said there will always be a place for me there...I'm scared to take the leap! WWYD?

OP posts:

Thislife1 · 13/05/2023 00:34

Do you like the work you do for the company that’s offered you the job? How much of a payrise will it be? What other benefits do you get in the corporate job…holiday, private healthcare etc? How much flexibility is there to work from home? There are lots of things to weigh up.

UsingChangeofName · 13/05/2023 00:36

Agree with pp - there are lots of things that add up to 'job satisfaction', or even enjoyment, and thee are also lots of factors that can restrict your choices somewhat (and being a parent is one of them).
So, we don't know enough to help you really.

Original poster

Doremisofarsogood · 13/05/2023 05:27

Corporate job is fully WFH, flexible on hours, opportunity to shape my own role, flexible on holidays, opportunities to progress. Salary at least triple my current. Excellent benefits, pension, healthcare, bonus. I got a decent payrise this year. Job is interesting enough I suppose but it's never going to set the world on fire.
Old job is none of the above!

OP posts:

Dontsparethehorses · 13/05/2023 05:31

I mean those benefits would sway it for me especially with public sector saying they would take you back if it doesn’t work out. Give it a go and shape it to see if it’s something you can enjoy?

GoodChat · 13/05/2023 05:56

Doremisofarsogood · 13/05/2023 05:27

It sounds like a no brainer to me. Go corporate.

mosiacmaker · 13/05/2023 05:58

Go corporate as long as you know you enjoy 100% WFH. I would personally hate it. Negotiate higher salary with corporate as well.

Fiddlesticksand · 13/05/2023 06:16

That's not an impossible decision from what you've said. What are you worried about? There must be something for you to not be jumping at this new job.

YoBeaches · 13/05/2023 06:53

I would take it. Not just because 6 years in public sector is long enough. There is a point in time (sometimes) that people can be perceived as institutionalised.

Don't wait until you need to get out. Take the opportunity with both hands and enjoy the benefits.

determinedtomakethiswork · 13/05/2023 07:02

I would definitely take it.

Namechange224422 · 13/05/2023 07:16

I would go corporate and then find a charitable role which uses your public sector skills to get the giving-something-back feeling.

whiteroseredrose · 13/05/2023 07:18

I would definitely go for the corporate role from what you have said.

The financial rewards are massively more and your public sector job would have you back if you want. There is no risk.

The big risk is not taking the corporate role as you would lose the side hustle. Can you afford to live on the public sector money alone?

Newestname002 · 13/05/2023 08:12

I would go for the corporate role, given what you've said about it. Also if they have a decent occupation pension (eg will match your contribution) I'd stuff a good percentage of your salary into the company pension (my last company had an extremely generous pension scheme which, with my maximum contribution, meant I ended up with a very healthy pension pot just from them in a short space of time. I'd also reduce your mortgage by making overpayments, if I remember correctly a lump sum at the end of each year, but check with an IFA plus add to your ISA, plus other savings now interest rates have gone up. If you're sensible there should still be enough to improve your day to day life. Good luck! 🌹

Original poster

Doremisofarsogood · 13/05/2023 08:19

Thanks everyone. Everyone in real life has basically said the same! In answer to a PP, no if I lost the side hustle I would have to be very frugle indeed, we'd lose the nice standard of life we have right now.
I was wondering if I could volunteer back at my old role but not sure I could squeeze it in....possibly something I could look at as this would definitely give me that "giving something back" feeling!
I think I know deep down it's the right thing to take it, I just feel sad about having to make the choice.

OP posts:

GoodChat · 13/05/2023 08:31

Are you just feeling guilty about leaving the public sector OP?

Original poster

Doremisofarsogood · 13/05/2023 09:26

GoodChat · 13/05/2023 08:31

Are you just feeling guilty about leaving the public sector OP?

A little guilty but more that I really love my job. I will be leaving them in the lurch but I know that's not my problem. I actually just love that job but as others have said I can always go back.

OP posts:

savethatkitty · 13/05/2023 10:37

Do it! What have you got to lose?

ChateauMargaux · 13/05/2023 22:27

What is it about your public sector job that makes you love it so much and that makes you say - 'set the world on fire' - that is a strong phrase and something not to be given up lightly.

Does the corporate position - which you say will allow you to structure your own role and work from home - have a community support / volunteering ethic in any way?

What do they want from you - more time, your expertise, not to have to pay you consultancy rates - but I am guessing not if they have tripled your salary..

Could you go part time both roles? Tell the corporate role that you feel it is important to you as a whole person that you get job satisfaction and remuneration from the job you do for them, but as someone who also has a social conscious and useful skills, you feel that you are called to continue to do the other job as well and would they be willing to offer you a position part time, they get 100% of your experience and expertise and you will be able to structure your role and perhaps a team around you that will allow you to act in a consultancy role from inside the company where you can build that capability within the company without working for them full time?

Original poster

Doremisofarsogood · 14/05/2023 09:57

It's the varied nature of it, it's never the same and it's interesting and rewarding.
I can't go part time in the corporate role, they've said they'll have to let me go if I can't take their offer. I'm able to build my own role within the corporate job and will do my best to make it interesting! I'm going to give it a year back in the corporate world and can always go back if it turns out I hate it.

OP posts:

Newestname002 · 14/05/2023 10:10

@Doremisofarsogood

I'm going to give it a year back in the corporate world and can always go back if it turns out I hate it.

Good decision. I hope you really enjoy the new job. Hopefully you'll receive your written contract soon so you can hand your notice in on your current job. 🌹

Original poster

Doremisofarsogood · 14/05/2023 10:11

Newestname002 · 14/05/2023 10:10

@Doremisofarsogood

I'm going to give it a year back in the corporate world and can always go back if it turns out I hate it.

Good decision. I hope you really enjoy the new job. Hopefully you'll receive your written contract soon so you can hand your notice in on your current job. 🌹

Thank you ❤️

OP posts:

Original poster

Doremisofarsogood · 04/07/2023 08:50

Just an update on my post! So just as I was about to hand my notice in, my entire team of about 20 got called to a meeting to say our roles were being made redundant! We could reapply for other jobs, none of which suited me in terms of hours or the role itself, so I took redundancy! I started my new job a couple of weeks ago and it's ok - it's never going to set the world on fire but I'm at home saving money on petrol, the hours are perfect around school and I can do it easily enough. The decision being taken out of my hands made it so much easier for me to leave! I was still very sad to go but the job I loved isn't there any more. I would still love to go back in the future at some point but for now I'll give this my best shot and enjoy the money and opportunities I can provide for my family 😀

OP posts:

Inkpotlover · 04/07/2023 09:05

Doremisofarsogood · 13/05/2023 09:26

A little guilty but more that I really love my job. I will be leaving them in the lurch but I know that's not my problem. I actually just love that job but as others have said I can always go back.

Show quote history

If you really love this job, stick with it and find another side hustle. You have the contacts – something else is bound to come up if you put feelers out.

Inkpotlover · 04/07/2023 09:06

Argh, missed your previous post! Ignore mine!

Original poster

Doremisofarsogood · 04/07/2023 10:22

Inkpotlover · 04/07/2023 09:06

Argh, missed your previous post! Ignore mine!

Haha no worries! I was more.of the view that I should stay where I loved, then it was decided for me anyway!

OP posts:

Original poster

Doremisofarsogood · 03/10/2023 10:26

Just an update, it turns out I really dislike this job, more than I thought I would. It's actually really affecting my mental health which is unlike me as I'm usually very positive and able to work things through. I lack motivation for anything and just hate the thought of doing this every day for ever! So I've handed my notice in and am going back to my previous job. I'll be taking a big pay cut but it's worth it and we'll manage, we always do...my mental health is worth more. I feel happier already 😊

OP posts:

Flip