Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

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

Original poster

I don't know which job to take?

25 replies

Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 16:40

I was made redundant just over a week ago. I have been lucky enough to have two job offers and I do not know which one to take! I am a mother of two kids whose husband works away.

1st job is with the NHS it's 22hkurs a week take home would be £1100 a month with the option to work overtime if I wanted on the bank as an administrator/receptionist when I can. it's about half hour travel each way contracted 3 days a week 9-5. Downside is its the NHS after previous experience in working for them starting a job could take months, things will be very tight whilst I am waiting.

2nd job is a finance administrator for a local company 40 hours a week for 22k a year which is around £1580 a month take home. It's 5 minutes down the road but i have found out at interview 8-5pm so will make life very difficult getting the kids to school like I have been able to do. The additional money is obviously a help but in reality £480 for the stress of it all and an extra 18 hours a week in work makes it feel less appealing. I just don't know which one to pick?! I was honestly expecting a higher salary offer from the finance administrator job than was offered at interview. It seems like a job with alot of responsibility for just above minimum wage! I have friend in the company who started on 25k 4 months ago so I was expecting an offer of around that?

What would you do in my situation? My family don't feel the salary is adequate. I am a postgraduate and an educated individual. Jobs around where we live in rural Wales aren't that easy to come by.

OP posts:
Layinwait · 31/08/2023 16:44

Without a nano second of hesitation job 1 unless your family can not r afford to wait

CobraChicken · 31/08/2023 16:44

I'd work out what the salary would be for the first job if it was full time and ask the second employer if they can match it. The existing offer sounds like a terrible wage.

Layinwait · 31/08/2023 16:45

When you say your family… presumably you’re talking about your DH? Which does put a different slant on it as presumably he is more in the know about family finances than we are!

Layinwait · 31/08/2023 16:46

CobraChicken · 31/08/2023 16:44

I'd work out what the salary would be for the first job if it was full time and ask the second employer if they can match it. The existing offer sounds like a terrible wage.

an employer paying £22k for 40 hours a work is hoping to pick up desperate people and consequently won’t be willing to negotiate I suspect

allthehops · 31/08/2023 16:46

I wouldn't take job two, sounds like they're taking the piss.

Could you take job one and do some temping to tide you over? Or look at indeed flex, you sign up to an app and take supermarket/warehouse shifts to suit you.

Layinwait · 31/08/2023 16:47

Any redundancy pay?

foreverbasil · 31/08/2023 16:48

I would try to negotiate both hours and money in job 2 because quite frankly they are trying it on. If there's no flexibility go to the NHS job. Once you are in the NHS they are very flexible and family friendly ( in my experience)

Sisterpita · 31/08/2023 16:55

Job 1 because I can guarantee the benefits e.g. sick pay, pension etc are better.

Original poster
Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 17:44

Yes I know how good the NHS is. I worked for years with the NHS before we relocated. I know it comes with alot of benefits and the team who I would be working with seem lovely. And yes my dh and two kids are my family. Yes dh is worried I will be stressed as they kept reiterating how demanding job 2 can be and I am here alone all week with the children, working and juggling the household but financially waiting for months is going to also be so stressful.bi did not get any redundancy. I had not long started in the law firm with a good salary only 4. 5 months and was still in probation when they went under. I have sold my car and bought a banger to tide us over for a good few months. It's the not knowing how long it will be. Previous experience it took 6 months! I can't go much longer than 4.

OP posts:
mummyh2016 · 31/08/2023 17:46

Can you take both? So start job 2 but also accept job 1. Then when you get your start date for job 1 reassess.

CobraChicken · 31/08/2023 17:49

mummyh2016 · 31/08/2023 17:46

Can you take both? So start job 2 but also accept job 1. Then when you get your start date for job 1 reassess.

Genius idea!!

Original poster
Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 17:49

@mummyh2016 my dad suggested this but can you do that? It doesn't seem right? Would it matter with my P45? Surely i would have to update the NHS?

OP posts:
slopsan · 31/08/2023 17:53

With 2 children and a husband that works away I would definitely take the nhs one. Benefits and career development opportunities likely to be better and less child stress to manage on 3 days

hylian · 31/08/2023 17:54

Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 17:49

@mummyh2016 my dad suggested this but can you do that? It doesn't seem right? Would it matter with my P45? Surely i would have to update the NHS?

I think the idea is that saying yes to both would buy you a bit of extra time and then you just tell one you changed your mind before you sign the contract.

It would be a bit of a shitty thing to do though, as you'd know you weren't actually going to be taking one of them and it would cause hassle for the employer.

Original poster
Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 17:57

@hylian exactly what I was thinking. Especially as job 2 wants me to start Monday coming! I would have to take the job and then work a few months and resign. They would have invested all Thier effort and time into training me for me to leave. It doesn't sit right with me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 17:59

It's not so much the hours I have always worked full time 40 hours a week. But earned enough for it to be worth the sacrifice and stress 🤣

OP posts:
hylian · 31/08/2023 18:00

@Sp3849 Yeah - I wouldn't be able to do it either. I think it's better to try and make a decision. Personally I'd go with the NHS job unless desperate for the money.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 31/08/2023 18:06

NHS. The other ones sound like total cowboys.

Hottytotty · 31/08/2023 18:21

Could you take the NHS one and look into temping to tide you over until they start?

Delpf · 31/08/2023 18:44

Another vote for the NHS job, or for accepting both and then quitting the second one once the NHS contract comes through. I wouldn't feel bad about it - circumstances change and people leave jobs all the time.

foreverbasil · 31/08/2023 20:30

Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 17:57

@hylian exactly what I was thinking. Especially as job 2 wants me to start Monday coming! I would have to take the job and then work a few months and resign. They would have invested all Thier effort and time into training me for me to leave. It doesn't sit right with me.

I understand what you mean. You say you're in rural Wales and it's very different to do this in a small community. In a city it wouldn't be a big deal but it could define you in a village. Do what you feel comfortable with OP

mummyh2016 · 31/08/2023 20:54

The way I look at it is you could pick job 2, after 6 months decide you've given it a good go but it's not for you and then look for another job. You could be waiting 6 months for a start date with the NHS anyway, if you didn't accept it you're back to square 1. Or you might change your mind when you get your start date and want to stay at job 2 if you're enjoying it. Who knows? You owe nothing to an employer, they could decide at any point to let you go. Do what's right for you.

Original poster
Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 21:57

@mummyh2016 very true actually and that's exactly what has just happened to me. So yes I see your point

OP posts:
Original poster
Sp3849 · 31/08/2023 22:36

So I have emailed job 2 and enquired if the salary is permanent. If there is training or qualifications I can complete to increase the salary and if I could have a 9am start to accommodate my children. I have told them of the position I have been offered and the salary of that yearly. Let's see what they say. If the answer is a no to the 9am start then It isn't worth the stress and hassle of trying to get the kids to school. I can go get some temp work somewhere If it's a yes then I will take the job and see how it goes. But I will hang in to the NHS one a minute they haven't even issued the job offer letter yet after two weeks and trac still shows the stage of the job as at interview stage. So I think I have time on my side 🤔

OP posts:
felisha54 · 31/08/2023 22:42

Job 1

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread