Should I leave or stay in job

[Mushypwease]

i have been at current job for a few years now and realised in the past few months I am being micromanaged. A few examples, she constantly messages asking if I have done something, checks CCTV and now makes me clock in/out when I am salaried.
I left my old job for this one as it was walkable and I needed to do school hours so have kept a good relationship with my old boss. We recently met up and I told her a few things above and she has made me an offer to go back to them which now works around my daughter’s school. I made current job aware and they counter offered for me to stay. I then told old boss and she has made me a fantastic offer to go back. Now I love my current job but I can’t shake off my micromanaging boss. I just don’t know what to do. In new role I would be trusted to run the show but current job I adore and it is well integrated in my life but have to play the game with boss.

We have recently started having to clock in/out but that’s to comply with fire regulations

Yeah I get that but she is not clocking in and out….

I would leave as quickly as I could and enjoy running the show at my old place, your old boss clearly trusts and value's you otherwise they would not have made this new offer.

Leave and take your old job back! You’d be mad not to.

If it's a fantastic offer from your old place, my instinct would be to say take it. The only other consideration is how each job fits with your longer term career aspirations. If your current job has much better promotion prospects (by which you could escape the micromanaging boss) then that might be a reason to stay - for all the checking up, they clearly don't want to get rid of you or they wouldn't have counter-offered. That's the only possible reason to consider staying put.

Leave!

You need all that your old manager has said in writing and a contract to sign before leaving your current job if tests what you want to do then they can't go back on what's been agreed.

I'd go back to old job as your manager is likely going to get worse

She has already out it all into an offer letter and has contract waiting for me to sign

The next step up would be her role. I took the job on the basis she was wanting to retire but there is no sign of it and won’t let go of anything

I did share all of my thoughts with the owner of the company as he is approachable. He agreed with all my statements but just said that’s the way she is and I have to play the game until she retires and she doesn’t trust anyone even him.

I am just torn as previously said I do love working here and maybe when she’s gone it will be good but I don’t think I can wait, I deserve better and my old job provides that and more

And there you have it OP. Nothing will change if you stay - they've actually said it. Except, your loyalty will now be questioned and the micromanaging behaviour will escalate. I've linked to a useful article by Robert Half on why you should never accept a counter offer to stay:

www.roberthalf.com/au/en/insights/landing-job/counteroffer

The is for all your messages, just wanted to update you all.

It all came to a head on Wednesday. I informed the owner that I can no longer work with the manager. He asked me to sleep on it which I did but for reasons above I told him I have no other option than to leave. He then called me later in the evening to in effect put me on garden leave and that’s it I’ve done! I have no doubt she was behind this and now just feel a bit down that I wasn’t able to work my notice, do a handover and say goodbye to everyone. But at least it is done with now!