I probably have to take this job, don’t I?

[AgualusasLover]

This is, I know a very first world problem and I am very fortunate to be in this position.

The job came via an acquaintance from a previous role - lots of people in common in the sector, they are the most senior person in the company.

I have a job:

• I love
• the people I work with are amazing and supportive
• I have been pretty successful here
• about 1,000 people
• flexible working
• very very easy commute
• learning is super important to me, this company is huge and can take me all sorts of places but my own role can grow to
• extremely comprehensive healthcare
• 10% employer contribution to pension
• subsidised meals and lots and lots of social and fun which I enjoy

New job

• 5 people
• the main person I’ve worked with indirectly before and really like them
• start up (but financially well backed) so my role will be broader than usual, but also opportunity to learn because I will be the only person doing my type of work
• just over £10k salary uplift
• bonus similar but discretionary (I don’t know what the discretion is but assume them meeting targets -+ KPIs of some sort)
• healthcare - unsure how comprehensive
• pension is statutory
• mostly office based, except Fridays and if most of the others are travelling (which will happen reasonably frequently
• commute not that different, in as much as when i get off the bus i will have to walk 15-20 mins instead of 90 seconds

My current employer know about new job. I have a very content, but sometimes tricky personal life and get a lot of validation and self worth from my job, and I am worried I might end up with a content job too.

Financially, I’ve had a difficult few months. I panicked and had a conversation that has led to this. I can manage in current job now that bonus has been paid and I’ve caught up with myself.

I just genuinely love my job. My current bosses have put forward a case to stay but also understand why I might need to go and they have said it will be a huge loss (of course I am replaceable though). They are willing to help me grow and support me in any way at all that I wish. Whilst they prob cannot give me a large pay increase to match, they intimated they could speak to our global team and make a case for me to be moved to the top of my band as I am a top performer, that is £5k.

I am just struggling to get past how much I love my job, colleagues and actually the company (sad, I know).

Any sage advice? Just chase the money? Happiness trumps the £££ as long as it’s enough.

I would stay put in this situation. Current employer sounds great and that can be worth its weight in gold. Plus, better pension.

I’d stay if you love it, and hope for the £5k

In this current economy I'd stay put.

Definitely stay put. A 10 grand pay rise isn't a huge amount

Are you single/children/other dependants?
I'd say flexi working is worth a LOT if you have or plan to have DC.
What % increase are you looking at?
I'm leaning towards staying in your current job. Only 5 people, and office based, if any of them are arseholse it could ruin your working days ajd there are too few to avoid the awful ones.
A content job sounds perfect to me if it meets your needs, it's not compulsory to want challenges and progression.

You're allowed to change your mind now circumstances have changed. You seem to think that because you engaged with the other company you have to take the job with them. From your posts it very much sounds as though you don't want to leave your current job. So don't.

Stay put. For the pension, the understanding of your personal life situation and for the potential to be rewarded with bigger opportunities in return for your loyalty. The £5k meets you half way and shows they are serious about you.
The start up is highly likely to burn bright for 1-2 years and then leave you redundant. That's just statistically.

I would consider staying. There is a lot to be said for putting happiness over money, as long as you can afford your life.

5k difference for the commute and the risk and loss of employment rights.

no way

5k after tax and NI is minimal as a higher rate tax payer.

Echoing others I'd question the longevity of the startup. A lot of the time startups are just working from one round of investment to another, then if things go well they get bought out by a bigger company and everything changes.

@AgualusasLover how would you feel if the new job offer were to be withdrawn? If ‘not that bothered’ is your response, there’s your answer. You sound like you want to stay to me and that’s fine!

I’m currently working for a start-up which was also “financially well backed” in one breath, and in the next are laying off 30% of their workforce. Luckily I’m a contractor so doesn’t affect me as badly, and it’s bu no means my first rodeo with start-ups. I would stay put for sure. The 10% pension alone is worth its weight in gold (probably literally right now).

Wow.

OP only you know how much the £ will make a difference, but there’s a value in your happiness too. And that 40 minute walk each day all adds up - and isn’t so fun in the cold and rain!

I would stay put

Stay were you are ... no doubt!

Stay put!

I'm in a similar situation. I've gone for a third interview today and feel I have a food chance of being offered the new position, pay is a 30% increase in hourly rate, plus an increase in hours, means it's worth 30k.
But I love my current job, the people I work with, and the flexibility of working part time so I'll be sad to take it. I probably would take it though if offered.
For 10k, possibly 5k with a bump up, I would really consider staying

No, I’d stay. It’s ok to say that you’ve changed your mind.

I’d stay. The new job is a big risk as a startup with only 5 people. It could go belly up very easily. And if one of the 5 was an arse, that’s a huge effect on your working life.
You have everything in your current job. If it was horrible, moving would be worth the risk, but as it stands you have a lot to lose by moving.

Are you a higher rate tax payer? If so that 10k won't materialise in the way you might expect. Commute and flexibility mean a lot, and so does a good pension. Mine is defined benefit, I have to be in the office most days but my base is a 7 minute drive from my house. If I have to travel further I'm on the clock when I do. It's part of a large government department with lots of schools for training, promotion, secondment etc. I would need at least a 20-25k uplift to leave and even then the terms would have to be favourable.

I would stay. The benefits of the new job don’t outweigh all the good aspects of the current job. Current one sounds more secure too.

I would stay put, money isn't everything and after extra tax and NI it won't be a huge amount more, happiness is more important than money

Loads of start-ups go tits-up.
Sounds like you really like your current job and that’s hugely important. More so than a £10K increase I’d say, esp to a start-up. I’d stay put.

Wow, that is pretty unanimous. You are all right, I do not want to leave. I had a run of very bad months financially , largely my own doing because I didn’t factor things properly but bonus this month will put me back where I normally am.

I think because I sort of know the person hiring from a previous role I feel sort of obliged, which I know is silly.

In answer to some of your questions, I’ve checked and it is about £800 extra after deductions. That is equivalent to rent.

I definitely am concerned about going to a small office because it’s the kind of role where you work extremely closely.