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Original poster

Which job would you choose?

28 replies

EyUpThereLass · 28/06/2023 11:56

Job 1 - a standard job in a cafe, one full weekday and every Sunday. Take home around £700. Nice team, staff benefits and discounts. No paid holidays as zero hour so 12.7% added to wage for holiday pay. Don't have to pay childcare as works round kids. No pension.

Job 2 - job within the NHS. Full training given. 13 hour contract, 1 evening and 2 mornings and Saturdays on occasion . Chance to progress, NHS pension, 5 weeks pro rata holidays. Would need childcare for the 2 mornings and would take home around £550.

OP posts:

theemmadilemma · 28/06/2023 11:59

That really depends if you would want to progress in the NHS role and see that as being an opporunity for the future.

If you don't intend to go back more days, progress etc., then the cafe role is a no brainer to suit.

swanling · 28/06/2023 12:54

Long term plan/goal? Pension/retirement plan?

Sprig1 · 28/06/2023 12:56

Job 2, because as you have young kids assume that you might want a job that can grow as the kids need you less.

Gateappreciation · 28/06/2023 12:59

Option 2 seems to be the more secure job with mute progression.

How old are the children? How soon will they be at school?

Is the £550 after childcare costs?

As a stop gap job until kids go to school, I would go option 1. If kids are due to go to school soon, plus £550 includes childcare costs, I would do 2.

Actually, I’d probably do 2 As more stable job.

gettingoldisshit · 28/06/2023 13:20

Job 1, the NHS is shit and stressful with workplace bullying rife!

Original poster

EyUpThereLass · 28/06/2023 16:00

My children are 6 and almost 2. No, unfortunately the £550 is before childcare costs. It's as a GP receptionist.

OP posts:

AnotherpostAnotherQuestion · 28/06/2023 21:06

Cafe, cafe, cafe!!!

Gateappreciation · 29/06/2023 15:55

There’s always gp receptionists jobs being advertised, and to be honest, they’re a stressful job for very little money. Having worked in a surgery, they’re expected to do alot more and have alot of responsibility, for a minimum wage job. It’s not just a case of checking in people.

If childcare costs have to come out, then definantly cafe, ir you’ll be working for nothing, plus have the added stress of getting to the childcare provider, picking them up etc

Original poster

EyUpThereLass · 04/07/2023 20:08

I need to decide soon and I'm really struggling with what to do

OP posts:

Turnleftturnright · 04/07/2023 20:15

Look at what you want to do on the long run and work your way back.

Of you just want something to earn a bit of money that fits in with the kids and gets you out of the house then go for the cafe.

If you are looking for a job right now that may lead to something later that you are passionate about then take the less money nhs job.

Although, if you take the cafe job for now there is nothing saying you still can't retrain later.

I think above everything you need to know what you want out of life later down the line, whether you intend to go for that right now or not. It is ok to not always be working towards the future and sometimes to just do what works for you right now. Timing is everything.

Turnleftturnright · 04/07/2023 20:16

Sorry for the typos. I'm tired but didn't want to read and run.

crazeekat · 04/07/2023 20:20

who would do the childcare for u?
if i have to pay for it i would do the cafe. nhs u need is a tough place to work and not for everyone. stressful staff and patients. hard to switch off once home.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 04/07/2023 20:25

Job 1. More flexible if you want to retrain in the future or want to add in another job. More family friendly as well. You could start your own private pension, and likely still have more money than job 2. (Depending what you decide to put in.)
Given comments on here and elsewhere it also sounds like job 1 would be more enjoyable - and don’t underestimate how important that can be when working.

Thesoundofmusic23 · 04/07/2023 20:28

Job two because of security, pension, holiday pay and potential to develop/ go up the ranks.

SchoolShenanigans · 04/07/2023 22:20

Realistically, as an NHS receptionist, your progression would likely be slow. Best case scenario, depending on your work background, you'd perhaps be a receptionist for a year or two, then if an opportunity arises you may become a reception team leader or assistant practice manager. The a few years later you could jump up to practice manager if you possess the right professional skills. All of this would be dependent on you working more hours though. So yes, there's progression but it's not guaranteed and it's not going to be fast.

Unless you especially want that progression, I'd go for job 1 and either retrain or wait until you can do more hours.

AnotherpostAnotherQuestion · 05/07/2023 09:56

I'm sure you've already checked but is the GP receptionist job definitely NHS and definitely on the agenda for change contract? If not progression/ benefits will probably not be part of yr contract...

Gateappreciation · 05/07/2023 10:54

Gp surgeries are private businesses and are contracted to carry out NHS services. You are not automatically on the NHS pay structure, and many receptionists are on minimum wage, or just above it. Speaking from bitter experience, pay increases aren’t automatic.

Once you’ve got experience as a doctors receptionist, you gave good skills that are transferable to other hospital and medical receptionist jobs, and you’ll always be in a job. However, it can be stressful.

Original poster

EyUpThereLass · 05/07/2023 12:59

It is literally 5p above minimum wage.. £10.47

I've had a conditional offer and it's says it includes NHS pension, 5 weeks pro rata leave, bank holidays etc. it's just a standard NHS GP practice.
Just been to look around the childcare and it'll work out about £250 a month.
DH will cover and yes I'm very lucky he can afford it. But part of me just wonders if it's worth taking home less money a month and having to pay childcare on top. Then with summer coming up I'll have my older child's care to worry about too.

It's a good opportunity but there's just a voice in my head saying at this stage in my life.. is it going to be more hassle than it's worth

OP posts:

AnotherpostAnotherQuestion · 05/07/2023 14:31

Like the op said gp surgeries are NOT the NHS. They are business' so just trying to make sure you understand that as getting a similar job in an actual NHS setting/ trust may be better if you are looking for regular pay increases/ other learning/ and professional opportunities

AnotherpostAnotherQuestion · 05/07/2023 14:32

I have no idea how I posted that gif!!!!

justawee · 05/07/2023 14:36

I would continue with the cafe job for the moment then perhaps reconsider in a year.
Also perhaps look for a role with a good opportunity to progress. What role have you had in your previous career?

youhavenoidea123 · 05/07/2023 17:34

I would take the cafe job. It'll give you plenty of transferable skills for the future. Mu only concern would be they might keep asking you to do more hours.

In the meantime I'd look at what free courses I could do, to develop my skills further for when both DC were at school.

Summer2424 · 05/07/2023 17:53

Hi @EyUpThereLass i think the Cafe would be best, hours are better and pay x

riotlady · 05/07/2023 18:10

Job 1. Stick £100 per month in a private pension and you’ll still be better off than the NHS job.

brandonflowersmushtash · 05/07/2023 19:12

Job 1

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