Would I be crazy to stay in a 40k role instead of a 75k?!

[worklifedilemma]

On the surface I know YES looks wild...

Here's the dilemma:

I'm a mum to 3 primary age DC, currently in a FT role 40k per year. It's remote mostly with very occasional travel into London (1-2x a month) - I live west of London, very rural, around 1hr30 door to door. It's also technically a self-employed contract which means I can pop expenses onto my tax assessment etc. Also qualify for child benefit etc. I'm a middle manager at a private company, in case that helps context.

Not yet formally offered but going well a side side step career wise (no people management and stand alone), but in a more 'money' direction. (Comparable to say moving from criminal law to corporate - just more money in certain niches). £75k, PAYE. Obviously better pension wise etc as I only have my own self employed one at the moment. Almost double the money at £75k, but where it's PAYE no tax relief on expenses, which would be higher as they would want me in their London HQ 2-3 days per week. This is also longer days and would have to ensure we could make it work with childcare. So my overall expenses would be much higher, job much more taxing due to travel and time in office, and I'd lose child benefit. This would make my take home (after travel) around £400 ish more a month.

Just can't figure out if that £400 is worth the extra work/time/travel less time with the kids etc? Long term career I guess so.

Any words of wisdom? Any thoughts on what you would do if it were you?

Saw your update about childcare sorted because your DH is flexible and can be sure to be there for pick up and drop off at breakfast and after school clubs. I think in that case I'll take it. Hopefully this gives you opportunities to move into another hybrid role with less days in the office in the future.

I should definitely be PAYE in my current role - I haven't challenged it as it fits quite well with life and I needed a job when I took it. Been there around 6 months now. Prior to that made redundant.

Kids aren't in wraparound 5 days at present, average is probably 3 days and the others I can work around to get them 'early' they do like after school club though and sometimes moan when they don't get to go 😂

No extra childcare would have to juggle with DH - but at the moment I do all housework and admin etc. so would probably need to get a cleaner.

Yeah tbh that all sounds kinda dodgy. If they are not employing you and you’re full time etc then you set the pay and conditions. If you don’t then you are entitled to PAYE. So another job sounds like a good idea!
Im not sure HMRC would agree that wasn’t a regular place of work either.. I would be getting your cv out there! I don’t think this role sounds ideal though. Maybe a middle ground somewhere else

@fashionqueen0123 definitely dodgy & a very well known business too - surprised there's never been a whistleblower to be honest.

Maybe you’ll be the first ;)

I wouldn't do it for £400 pm and a lateral move. If you think it opens up future opportunities that you wouldn't otherwise be eligible for then it might make sense.

I'd take it. Almost double the money and you'd still get child benefit and if you pay extra into your pension you'll minimise the CB losses, from 60 to 75K you'll be losing 67% between tax and CB so worth putting in the pension. And get a second car.

Your current job sounds underpaid, does not offer enough benefits and is insecure. If you move and hate it you can move again in a year but will then be able to command a bigger salary.

The only question I would have is around things like sick pay and job security -

Otherwise I would work to live not the other way around

Primary, being home meant I was there for homework and ds could play out with me at home. I worked FT in office during primary, but shifted my hours to an early start so I was home for 4:40pm (dh did the morning drop offs).

I was mostly WFH by the time he hit the teens and I never appreciated how beneficial it was to be present (for when they need you, as most of the time they don't) to guide and support ds through his teen and exams years until we were there.

That was with just 1 dc, 3 kids, for £400/month extra I wouldn't but a lot will depend on how ambitious you are and if your dh will do that role instead (even though I have always been the main breadwinner I still actively wanted/chose to be there over career progression/financial gain).

How much longer do you have to pay childcare ?
Could wfh more be negotiated?

Would you enjoy the new role more?
Do you enjoy your current role?

I would try and negotiate with them on office days but take it if I could get it down to 1-2 days

Your current contract doesn't sound great.
You're either SE or not eg Pimlico Plumbers.

Given your personal situation and circumstances - no I wouldn't take it - if I had no kids or maybe 1 and lived close to a station then yes I might

I'd seriously consider it. It's not everyday in the office and you aren't a single parent.

Even if you end up paying for a cleaner and more childcare and not actually earning that much more it will presumably lead to much more money in the long run.

It's a whopping great pay rise.

If you do it it doesn't mean you are committing to it for the rest of your life. You can change to something else.

I'd double check the details about remote working. Two days a week is very different to three and I'd be nervous about them changing it in future.

The commute would put me off.

I would consider it if I could get the days in the office to less per week. Sounds like alot more effort with not much more money because of expenses/loss of CB. It would depend how much I wanted the job

I wouldn't with primary age dc. It really does go quickly and being around for them is time that you won't get back. I am massively pro women working, and made sure that I kept my own career and pension up, but now mine are late teens I am so glad that I was part time when they were little.

If you’re financially stable say no!

It's not just £400/month in your pocket
Your pension contributions will be, nearly, doubling, significantly increasing your future pension which, as you've probably had periods of non contribution when having your children, could make a significant difference in the future.

I wouldn't write it off. Is the WFH time negotiable? An extra day at least may be doable. How to you feel about the role and company themselves?

Is such a big jump likely to come up again?

Is 1.5hr an optimistic straight run or how long it'll actually take on the commute?

You say childcare costs won't really increase. That's a big factor.

I feel like it's good consolidation opportunity whereas the current job has been a bit insecure and underpaid but has worked for now. This well paid and solid and I feel an option may be to do it for a year and if the commute is too much, it'll give you a base to look for better paid jobs either locally or more flexibly.

If you do, get a cleaner.

Pension contributions is a good point too

For me what stands out is that your current role is only secure for about another year. If not for that I would absolutely stay where you are, especially with younger children.

Do you think you could get another job easily enough when your current role finishes? And do you need to?

For us and others I know the flexibility in roles and perks of being available for school runs and other activities in primary years has always trumped higher salaries.

I know it’s frowned upon on MN but if you don’t need the better job and your DH has better earning potential I’d stay in a flexible role with less money for now.

That sounds like £400pm worth of extra stress and inconvenience. So no benefit, really. I wouldn't do it.

Is it a stepping stone to another position?
I would take it, because it would provide greater security than freelancing and contract work. Particularly if you can negotiate it to be 2 days per week in the office instead of 3.

I worked full time with long commutes through my older child's early years. Only managed to get to remote when he was approaching secondary. I can't say I feel I missed out on anything, and he doesn't appear to have minded either. People saying 'oh its so important to be there' just feels like guilt tripping to me.