Is it acceptable to as your current boss to match your new job offer?

[TomB95]

Hi,

I am currently on maternity leave and due to return in 2months. I’ll be working a 37.5hrs a week (4.5days) when I return. Also, they want to me manage 3 people when I return but don’t want to give me a pay rise for the extra work load/stress that will involve.

However I have been offered a new job with a different company, working 28hrs a week (3.5days) for the same money I’m current on for 4.5days.

I don’t want to leave my current job, but the new job offer is very tempting due to less hours for the same money.

is it acceptable for me to go to my boss and as them to match it the new job offer? Especially as they want me to manage 3 people on my return for no pay rise!

I feel very awkward about the situation

You can talk to your current manager and ask, worst they can say is no, you’ve nothing to lose.

Totally acceptable to ask. It's really common as a negotiation tactic.

Just take the new job. Your old job doesn’t value enough.

There have been studies that show people who accept counter offers usually end up leaving anyway.

Totally acceptable.

Be prepared for a no though.

Of course you can, in fact I’d be looking for your current employer to match the hours and give you a pay raise. Otherwise what incentive is there for you to stay.

These opportunities to renegotiate your hours/salary only come around so often OP. You have the upper hand here, shoot high and meet somewhere in the middle. Don’t question yourself, a man wouldn’t even think twice about it.

You’re all right nothing to lose. I would rather say at my current role as I love the people and enjoy it. Worried about proving myself with a new role too.

Second - when I asked for a pay rise for managing people, my “new boss” said no (i haven’t worked with yet due to be on maternity leave). So so I go straight to my old boss to negotiation (who is my new bosses boss). As she’s is still head of the department. We get on well and she’s has worked with me for 3 years so feel we have a good relationship. But on the over hand don’t want to piss my new boss off, however I did ask her first about the pay rise for managing people.

How long do you need to return for after Mat leave?

@Pondering89 love your comment. You’re so right, man deffo wouldn’t think twice!

@BroughttoyoubyBerocca sorry what do you mean?

Of course it is fricking acceptable! Just imagine you are a man, and channel that.

Have you had any enhanced maternity pay and is there anything in your contract about needing to pay it back if you don't return for so many weeks/months after maternity

@BroughttoyoubyBerocca i get a bonus if it return to work which I have to pay if I leave within 12months.

I'm confused, on yesterday's version of this thread you were due back in 4 weeks (not 2 months) and were being asked to manage 6 people (not 3) when previously you'd been managing 1. Where did the others go?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/work/5011813-do-i-get-a-new-job-after-maternity-leave?reply=133165589

You've also missed the part where you were put out that your existing employer wasn't prepared to pay you a full time salary for part time hours.

You will burn bridges if you go above your manager's head and threaten to leave unless they give you a massive pay rise just because you're managing an extra 2 people (or 5 in the other thread). In a recession. You originally said you love your job, why do that?

Going over your managers head is not a good move. Personally I don’t think threatening to leave unless an offer is matched is necessarily a good move either if you like your job, some managers will accept your resignation.

Update:

So felt 50/50 on staying at my current job or accepting my new job offer, as it did sound exciting and a great opportunity. However, I feel nervous about changing jobs since being on maternity. I don’t know what work will be like with a child.

I spoke to my old boss, who is my new bosses boss.

they have agreed to match the working week hours and get me a pay rise for managing a team on my return. So really positive and I felt valued and the fact they didn’t want to lose me as they see me progressing within the company.

Not sure if this is a women thing but feel terrible for letting the other company down, but maybe the recruiter much over sold now much they love me.

Well done OP! It's important to know your worth.