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Original poster

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

150 replies

AgualusasLover · 12/12/2024 23:13

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).

OP posts:
martinisforeveryone · 13/12/2024 06:22

What everyone else has said, plus

Do not under estimate or under-appreciate that pension contribution

A ‘discretionary bonus’ may well never materialise. It could be dependent on everyone reaching targets, not just you, plus the business achieving certain goals, which is much harder for a start up. You could end up resentful

An additional 20 mins walk each day, all weathers adds up, so does the lack of flexibility

I’d stay put.

Userxyd · 13/12/2024 06:24

Get the £5k and stay!

HappiestSleeping · 13/12/2024 06:26

@AgualusasLover in addition to what others have written above, I wouldn't move to a start up without an equity option. I've learned that one the hard way. I worked hard, the owners sold, they made a killing and the new owners replaced the exec which is very common.

ruffler45 · 13/12/2024 06:27

Work out the true costs, pension contribution, travel/commuting time, any paid overtime? company car?, tax on the extra 10k does it put you into higher level tax band at 40%, progression in company? etc

Harshtruth1111 · 13/12/2024 06:29

Stay
All it takes is one bad egg in the team to ruin every day at work.
Finding a job you enjoy and content is 50percent and finding a job with good team is 50percent

DeffoNeedANameChange · 13/12/2024 06:30

If they can offer you an extra 5k I wouldn't risk moving. I would be very cautious of ditching a secure job for a start-up anyway, even if it's seemingly well-backed.

Muthaofcats · 13/12/2024 06:31

As someone who works in a start up, I would never advise leaving your stable flexible job for a start up unless you’re willing to take the risk /can afford the risk. Start ups fail. Start ups will not have an indefinite run way, if the money runs out and they can’t secure more funding, you’re out. Start ups also have all sorts ofHR issues as they’re not set up with all the policies and experience of a larger outfit, they are far less professional places to work, Start ups are also not as flexible as they’ll tell you they are, the working culture tends to be hardcore and lots of young people so they won’t understand you have a family.

10k isn’t v much money.

Start ups can be helpful if you want to get a step up/an inflated job title or enjoy the cut and thrust of building something. They are hard environments to succeed in but with the right team can be exciting and much more enriching than a big corporate machine. The stakes are just higher.

DeffoNeedANameChange · 13/12/2024 06:32

Also "20 min walk" is much quicker and easier to say than to do. Twice a day, every day, in the rain....

Harshtruth1111 · 13/12/2024 06:33

Muthaofcats · 13/12/2024 06:31

As someone who works in a start up, I would never advise leaving your stable flexible job for a start up unless you’re willing to take the risk /can afford the risk. Start ups fail. Start ups will not have an indefinite run way, if the money runs out and they can’t secure more funding, you’re out. Start ups also have all sorts ofHR issues as they’re not set up with all the policies and experience of a larger outfit, they are far less professional places to work, Start ups are also not as flexible as they’ll tell you they are, the working culture tends to be hardcore and lots of young people so they won’t understand you have a family.

10k isn’t v much money.

Start ups can be helpful if you want to get a step up/an inflated job title or enjoy the cut and thrust of building something. They are hard environments to succeed in but with the right team can be exciting and much more enriching than a big corporate machine. The stakes are just higher.

100percent agree

roses2 · 13/12/2024 06:37

you have to compare like for like. taking this into account what’s the total pay difference between the two.

what is the pension of the new company?
what is the potential bonus?

a company size of 5 is a bit too small for my liking - there’s a high risk of failure.

LegoInfestation · 13/12/2024 06:47

I know very very few people who love their job. It's a valuable thing to be in a job you feel like that about!

I would go as far as to say it's extremely risky to leave a secure job where your employer has a proven track record of looking after their employees and you are happy to go to work, to move to a start up where the success of the company, your relationship with your co-workers or what that workplace will look like in five years time can not be predicted.

Financially you wouldn’t actually be 10k better off in real terms anyway.

Your main worry is concerned with messing the start up colleague around but honestly that is a tiny factor here. I’m sure you can find a way to communicate that you appreciate the job offer, that the premise of the start up company sounds an exciting prospect but at this time you have decided to stay where you are as opportunities to broaden your role/experience there have been presented to you.

Eddielizzard · 13/12/2024 06:54

I would stay. Very comprehensive health insurance and a 10% pension contribution is really good. I wouldn't give that up easily. But most importantly, you're clearly very valued and you love your job! Stay.

HashTagLil · 13/12/2024 07:02

I’d stay in my current job.

dutchyoriginal · 13/12/2024 07:03

Right now, I'd stay. Supportive colleagues, shorter commute and the wider net of possibilities within the larger company sound better.

sorrynotathome · 13/12/2024 07:09

Goodness me! If you can’t work out that you’d be worse off in the new job, then you’re not worth the money. Startup should be offering you AT LEAST £20k more to cover the loss of benefits and the high risk involved.

LadyAsnowt · 13/12/2024 07:10

Yep. Stay. Agree with everyone's reasoning..

Codlingmoths · 13/12/2024 07:11

I’d stay.

Greentreesandbushes · 13/12/2024 07:14

Don’t do it. Start up’s are notorious for offering high salary with a promise of bonuses that never materialise, or take years.

SchoolDilemma17 · 13/12/2024 07:20

Stay!
start up culture is VERY different and lots of people hate it. You will likely be doing lots outside your job description. 10k is not tons, I would not move for that.

HonoraBridge · 13/12/2024 07:23

I think you should stay. You are very lucky with your current job that you love so much. You don’t really know what the new job will be like. You are risking a lot for £5k pa.

TheLittleOldWomanWhoShrinks · 13/12/2024 07:24

I read through your OP and thought 'FGS stay'.

The money may be tempting now, but if you can manage, which it seems you can, all the other tangible and intangible benefits of your current role are worth more.

Plus - start-up? Inherent risk. And 5 people? Riskier still in various ways - you fall out with one of them, you're utterly stuffed.

And feeling you 'have to' take a new job rather than heading joyfully for the new opportunity is a terrible sign.

SpringleDingle · 13/12/2024 07:30

A job you love with flexibility and a great team is worth a lot. I’d stay and see what your current job in terms is an uplift.

A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush and all that!

Strictlymad · 13/12/2024 07:31

You’re not obliged just cuz you know the person. Money is no replacement for happiness, don’t move. If yiu have the travel/ commute more you will loose a lot of the pay rise to travel costs. Even a financially backed start up can go wrong too. Deffo stay put

Original poster
AgualusasLover · 13/12/2024 07:33

My numbers are slightly off here to be less identifying (but close enough to give you the idea).

My current job is a super stressful professional services environment but I thrive on that stress, the potential slower pace was also a concern. I would probably be more 9-5 (not quite) in the other role, but my long hours (semi-regularly) are made easier with perks around working late. The more I write the more I’m sure you are all thinking, why on earth did I bother in the first place.

Genuinely, the last 3 months were just horrifically bad for me financially, and I think I panicked a bit. Now it’s all settling back, and is avoidable in the future I’ve got cold feet over leaving.

It’s all big city based and I love bus rather tube or train from both jobs so commute wise it’s not actually as bad as it sounds.

BUT …

My gut (which I’ve only ever ignored once)was telling me not to. DH told me to do what was best for me. An old boss who smoothed the way told me to trust my gut and my current bosses are the sort of people I have been able to hash it out with. All were supportive of me leaving IF I really wanted it. But for a bunch of strangers to read the facts and ALL agree about staying too, it reinforces what I already know.

OP posts:
Pandasnacks · 13/12/2024 07:36

I agree id stay. Current job is affordable and challenging enough for you, new job is risky, unknown and you don't want it. If it was a massive uplift with better benefits then maybe, but it doesn't sound like a particularly good deal unless you don't like your current job and need out.