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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:
Namechangefordaughterevasion · 13/12/2024 07:46

I started to write listen yo your gut only to find you already have! Good call OP.

Mostlyoblivious · 13/12/2024 07:55

Your current job sounds really great from what you have written and it is very clear that you are actually happy there. Follow up on the proposed £5k lift to keep you and take the past few months as a guide as to how to budget going forward if you can - it sounds as though you have a heavy bonus at the end so are playing catch up for 1/4 a year having anticipated it all year? I wouldn’t know how to plan for that to be honest. However, I think you’d be mad to switch at the moment. Don’t close doors completely with the start up, just tell them it’s not for you currently and thank them for thinking of you.

Redburnett · 13/12/2024 07:59

Stay, the other job is far too risky.

ZippyDoodle · 13/12/2024 08:02

Stay, current job sounds great. Start ups usually want their pound of flesh.

Work out a budget to avoid this happening again.

See if current employer will pay the £5k.

TheBluntTurtle · 13/12/2024 08:03

on balance I would stay put OP.The pension has a value as do the other benefits of your current role. There may also be less security and chances for progression in the start up company than your large, global company.
perhaps look for development opportunities to get a promotion in current company, and try to get that £5k uplift too.

Apolloneuro · 13/12/2024 08:05

Don't underestimate the importance of liking where you work. Find other ways of making some economies if necessary.

Nice confidence boost to be wanted though!

babyproblems · 13/12/2024 08:06

I wouldn’t take it for only 10k more to be honest. You’ve listed too many positives! 20k maybe. Negotiate for more money where you are. Don’t tell them you won’t take it. I’d say I’m considering it because you need more money and would they consider a 5-10k increase… if they say no I’d probably still stay but I’d at least tell them ok but in two years time I will approach you again or be off. So the idea is there. x

UndeniablyGenX · 13/12/2024 08:07

If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

MILLYmo0se · 13/12/2024 08:08

In a nutshell you d looking at moving for an extra less than 5k once you take into account difference in pension and possibly health are cover, giving yourself an extra 40 minute commute a day and having to leave the house earlier in the morning, losing flexibility, working in a v small team where just not gelling with 1 person can make life difficult, and taking a chance on being part of a start-up.....
Nope I wouldn't even consider particularly as you actually like your current job. I understand the scare you gave yourself re finances, but you have yourself sorted now and won't make the same mistake

Original poster
AgualusasLover · 13/12/2024 08:09

I am going into the new year with a new budget. I can pinpoint absolutely every decision I made in Sept that led to this point, so it should straightforward to avoid in the coming year.

OP posts:
SanctusInDistress · 13/12/2024 08:15

The pay rise will mainly tinto the taxman, so on paper the new job doesn’t sound much of an improvement and I’d say it’s even a downgrade.

Busywithsomething · 13/12/2024 08:16

Stay where you're happy. A good night's sleep is priceless. You can start looking around if/ when money gets very tight.

Mamma3456 · 13/12/2024 08:18

I've worked in a start up. Promotion is fast - if you are capable you'll be the head of your whole department/ina very senior role in a couple years. That will help you move sideways into other senior positions in other companies. You could move back to you'r original company at a more senior level. The workload can be insane, because you're responsible for everything, everyone needs to pull together for minor things with other teams, and all the admin bureaucracy as you try to move from a small to medium size company. Do you get share options? If the company is a success you'll make a fair chunk out of it.

Downside is it's unstable, company will always be worrying about the next funding round. And again the workload...

It depends on what your priorities are really.

mumda · 13/12/2024 08:21

AgualusasLover · 13/12/2024 08:09

I am going into the new year with a new budget. I can pinpoint absolutely every decision I made in Sept that led to this point, so it should straightforward to avoid in the coming year.

You do mean you've started now ... That sounded a bit like the diet starts tomorrow...

Your current job sounds excellent.

LittleSoo · 13/12/2024 08:22

I would not leave a secure job to go work at a start up. Any sniff of trouble with money and they lay people off. Plus only working with 5 people, if you don't get on well then it'll be a very unpleasant environment. I work at a large 1000 people company and I love being able to meet new people and sit next to different people when I'm in the office.

QuantumPanic · 13/12/2024 08:23

As a start up hopper, start up is always a gamble. You can have a huge IPO, cash runway of $100 million + ...it means nothing. The majority will fold, it just depends on when. The pay is better because it reflects the risk.

All that said, I don't regret any of the jobs I've taken. But you do have to be prepared for the axe to fall!

If I were happy in a secure role, loved my colleagues, etc., I'd stick with it. I think you're making the right choice, OP!

Original poster
AgualusasLover · 13/12/2024 08:24

I have worked for start ups before, and the exposure to lots of different things is really useful, as in larger organisations those jobs belong to someone. Part of engaging with the process was about exploring where I could see the role going, and I could see it developing, the last time I had a role like this it did and the new boss was there to see it, sort of one step removed. The new job industry is less dynamic than my current role, I would say. It’s not that it isn’t interesting, it’s just different.

To actually accept I would have to understand what discretion the bonus is subject to and would want to meet the two new people who have joined since we spoke.

Im going to take the weekend, but I think I know I want to stay where I am.

OP posts:
AntiHop · 13/12/2024 08:25

Do you have more than statutory pension in your current job?

Original poster
AgualusasLover · 13/12/2024 08:27

mumda · 13/12/2024 08:21

You do mean you've started now ... That sounded a bit like the diet starts tomorrow...

Your current job sounds excellent.

Show quote history

Well, I have no money to budget really until I actually get paid this month, including bonus, so practically not a lot I can do. It happened because of poor decision making and not planning for those decision, so a budget (which I have started) plus more mindful decision making should avoid this again.

OP posts:
Original poster
AgualusasLover · 13/12/2024 08:28

AntiHop · 13/12/2024 08:25

Do you have more than statutory pension in your current job?

I have one pension and my employer contributes 9% and I can top up.

OP posts:
Champagnetoner · 13/12/2024 08:28

My DH was let go from a start up earlier this year. His time there wasn't great - super demanding founders based in another country coupled with all the frustrations that come with a new company desperately trying to establish themselves in a competitive market.

He went on to take a new job in a big corporate that offers all the security and perks you mention - BUT that came with a paycut that on paper looks pretty significant, but in reality is, after tax, the difference of a few hundred quid a month. It's made things tight this year, but he's about a million times happier, and he will return to his previous salary next year.

I would stay where you are. It's not a great landscape for start ups right now.

Imbusytodaysorry · 13/12/2024 08:35

AgualusasLover · 12/12/2024 23:14

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

Honestly I can’t see why you would take the other job after reading through what you said.

Go for the 5k increase and happiness

Cityzen74 · 13/12/2024 08:39

i would stay in your current job. It sounds like you are happy there. Good luck with making the decision

senua · 13/12/2024 08:41

I haven't RTFT but it seems that a lot of people are saying that you should negotiate better money with the current employer. What about negotiating better terms with the new employer? They want you and you are a 'known quantity' which is important in a small team so you should be able to come to some agreement. If not, then turn it down.

Oreyt · 13/12/2024 08:41

Keep your job