Would you take a pay cut for flexibility?

[popupskeete]

My current role is within an organisation Ive been with for nearly a decade, I am office based with some very low level flexibility (i.e I can work from home if kids are ill/car troubles etc). I have a 45 minute commute. I have a good predicted pension (under 30 so not much use yet!) and some extra perks due to length of service, additional annual leave, paid sick etc. It is a very secure job and easy to move around/progress within the organisation. It's convenient to stay, really.

The other job pays about 8% less, but is fully remote and the hours can be condensed into school hours. It should be a secure role, it's public sector like my current role so it's not easy to negotiate higher salaries.

Would you take a pay cut for flexibility?

Yes I did, it's a complete life changer. After taking into account the decrease in tax, NI, student loans, fuel and car wear and tear the difference was negligible.

I have done that. Yes.

Yes definitely. Flexibility is everything as long as you can afford the pay cut.

Your travel expenses may even make up the 8% difference ??

For that type of flexibility - absolutely yes!

Yes, I think I would. Wfh is sometimes isolating so really take into account the culture of the employer

Yes I would - and I did. And a considerably heftier paycut at that. As long as it won’t put you on the breadline or into debt I think flexibility is always worth it.

Yes I would and did!

I’d take a pay cut for flexibility, yes. Personally I’d find fully remote really isolating. But if it works for you, that’s what matters.

Im currently in a role where i could earn more in the private sector.

BUT the flexibility i have where i am now, is worth more to me than the extra money while the kids are still young.

Yeah I would.

I don't earn a lot but have a lot of flexibility and only work 4 days school hours.

Yes in the right circumstances, if we could afford to.

Absolutely, I work fully remote and only half time so 3.5 hours a day and very flexible so in school hours and in holidays I can work early and most days work 6-9:30am so hardly affects my child at all. I looked at going much more full time but at least two thirds in the office and the differences with all the extras I would need to pay out I wouldn’t end up much better off.

Work out how much you spend on travel and coffees/lunch at work and you may find that is the 8% Also how much is your time worth to you? 1.5hour commute is significant. If you’re going from one public sector post to another sickness and holiday benefits may transfer over?

If it was me I’d do it.

I’d be cautious about it personally. Not for the pay, as it sounds like that may not be as big a hit once travel and childcare are taken into account. But it’s a big change to be fully remote and it has downsides as well as those upsides of flexibility, more time with family etc. It can be lonely at home, it can be hard to switch off fully if you can’t separate your work and home space, by closing a door/putting things away out of sight. Also if it’s a new role and new organisation it could limit your ability to form relationships, access support and be both aware of and visible for opportunities that support your progress, particularly if a lot of the staff in that organisation are back f2f at least some of the week. Lots of people are making these types of roles work and overcoming those downsides, and so might you. But I’d be thinking about those things as much as the pay. Also remember it may not be a straight either/or. This organisation wants you in the flexible role - who else might value your skills and experience, and offer a good balance?

Yes and did

Yes absolutely I would. 8% is hardly noticeable, and you'll save a fortune on commuting.
I'd never take a role where I was required to be on site full time again.

As others have said, I imagine you’ll save some/all of the 8% by not commuting. I absolutely would. I wfh now during school hours and I’m so much happier and less stressed. You can always change jobs again when the kids are older (or before if you change your mind). Life is too short to be running yourself ragged juggling work, commute and school aged kids.

Personally, yes I would if it was affordable. 🙃

Yes I would take the cut, you will save what you lose in wages on the commute, whether it's car fuel and maintenance or a train ticket. I love working from home and not doing that commute everyday, especially as if a single thing happens on the roads round here they all just grind to a halt and commute can easily double

I’m fully remote and you’d have to pay me an awful lot more money for me to lose wfh and the flexibility I have. I certainly wouldn’t give it up for an extra 10%

Yes if that’s what my priority was
but long term it doesn’t sound great
can you use this as negotiation with your current job to get better flexibility there?

Depends on your circumstances especially as you're still fairly young. Will wfh impede any career progression? Does your OH also wfh? How are you going to handle childcare while wfh? It's great if you take to it, doesn't work for all.

How old are your kids? If they’re still little, I’d do it for sure. You’ll save on childcare costs, commuting costs, etc. If they’re not far from being able to be home alone, then worth a little extra thought.

These threads always annoy me because it's so personal. How badly do you need flexibility? How badly do you need the money? How old are your DC?