Would you accept this job?

[Jobwonder]

I have been offered a job within my company but in a different sector.

The new job is a lot more work and more stressful and 5 more hours a week.
My current job is relatively easy and has less stress.

(Think TA vs teacher role).

The new job is (on paper) a lot more money but I have put both in a benefit calculator and because the new job is more money, I would lose some of my UC top up (single parent).

It actually works out that I would only be £100-200 better off a month if I took the new job (each site says slightly different).

Of course £100 a month is a lot of money but not a huge amount, so I don’t know whether to stay in my easy job for less money or go for the more challenging job for slightly more money.

My current role has absolutely no progression at all.
The new role does have potential progression and future wage increases.

I don’t know whether to stay in my easier job for now whilst my DC are still quite young and then change roles when I have less going on at home.
Or go for the new job now so I can get a bit more money and start increasing my earning potential, even if it’s stressful.

What would you do if it was you?

Tough one. I probably wouldn't take it if DC are young. Unless it's a job you'd love.

it’s not a lot of money for the extra stress

Surely it is better to be on better salary and less reliant on benefits if you have the option?

If you really hate the new role, how easy would it be to switch back to a role which is similar to your current job?

This was my initial thought, that it allows me to be less reliant on benefits without taking a hit.
But then I don’t know if that’s more of a pride thing.

They would re-advertise my current position and once they fill it I wouldn’t be able to get it back unless that person left.

There is only one position in the company and there is no others local to me.
So the chances of ever getting it back are very slim.

It is a job I would enjoy but it is something I could do in the future.

So I’m thinking whilst I have a lot going on at home it may be better to not take it but then I don’t know if I should be trying to climb the career ladder or wait a couple more years.

Yes if it was a lot more money then I would risk having the extra stress to have a better career but it works out £25-50 a week more, which would be helpful but it’s not that much.

This is where the UC taper rate hits hard.
I got a job paying £300 a month more but after the increase in pension, the reduction in Uc and higher student finance contributions it only works out at around £150 more a month for significantly more responsibility.
I took it as the trade off in the future will be worth it. I won’t be as reliant on UC and there are more prospects when my little one is older.

I had to look past the short term and think long term.

Stay in the current job personally. The stress alone isn’t worth the extra £25 a week, never mind the increase in hours.

Would the extra 5 hours per week mean you’d have to pay for more childcare?

Whats your support network like?

if you don’t take the job now, what’s the likelihood of you being offered it in the future?

If you took the job, do you think you’d find it less stressful the longer you do it for if it’s currently out of your comfort zone?

I think I’d take it. Especially if this has more options for progression and future earnings.

£25-50 a week is a lot of treats for your DC, or swimming lessons, brownies, football, a yes to the magazine they ask for when you have to take them shopping, getting your nails done every 3 weeks, a nice top you’ve had your eye on for a while…

No I wouldn’t need to pay anymore childcare, so I wouldn’t be losing anything.

I don’t have a support network.
It’s just me and my DC, no other family.

The job would get easier once I learnt it but it’s one of those that is always quite fast paced and more work (although I would quite like this if my DC were older).

My current job was tricky at first but it’s not one that comes with a lot of stress and so once you’ve learnt it, it stays quite easy.

New job

Progression is what swings it for me.
Do it for a year 18m and get applying to move up to the next step

@Jobwonder it sounds like this is a really tricky one for you. It’s easy for us to say “I’d take it” because we’re detached from your situation.

What do you WANT to do? And what’s your head telling you to do?

It won't just be a £100 extra though- it will be increased contributions to your pension etc which is better long term.

New job

Additional pension co tributions on top of what you will get in your pocket. The children get older (quickly) and you will have progressed in your career rather than one day looking back and finding you stagnated I a job.

As much as I realise why UC top ups are needed I find it so frustrating that people aren't taking such promotions because the raise isn't "worth" it. I think anyone on UC top ups should be obliged to notify UC if they are offered promotions in the same way they have to look for work when out of work.

Bear in mind that once children are over 3 UC expect lead carers to work at least 30 hours a week so it may be good to take the role whilst it is on offer.

New job because of progression. go for it!