Has anyone voluntarily dropped a few paygrades at work for lifestyle/sanity?

[Strumpetpumpet]

Hello everyone

I’m a bit fed up at work, too stressed, working too many hours etc

My department are advertising for a new role, it would mean a £30k pay cut but I could do the job with my eyes closed, and easily fit the work into a normal day. Financially I can afford it, I’ve got one eye on retirement in a few years anyway, but I’d be interested to hear if anyone’s taken this approach.

I guess my concerns are around being expected to “do more” because I’ve had a more senior role, and basically ending up doing my current role for less money and feeling resentful of my replacement if I have to train/mentor them?

I’ve just done this, partly due to stress and partly health issues - caused largely by the stress. I’m about one grade down and on £20k less, but a big employer pension contribution increase (moved to Civil Service), much shorter commute, slightly fewer hours and more flexible working so I easily manage compressing 5 days into 4, nicer environment (previous workplace was unbelievably toxic) and lower expectations which I’m able to exceed with less effort and stress. The pay drop is actually more than offset by the pension and compressed hours, but I also paid a lot more tax in my last job so the takehome isn’t even that much of a drop!

The extra day off every week is wonderful. I have more time to spend with my family, and am so much more relaxed so it’s actually quality time instead of being distracted and exhausted and ratty. I used to think I had to chase career progression and that more money automatically meant more stress but was still ‘better’, because, you know, progression… but now I have more time, a lot less stress, and only slightly less money. Oh and a much healthier pension! Seems a good deal so far.

Thank you all so much for your replies. You’ve given me plenty of food for thought. I’m topping up my pension with extra contributions so in terms of actual take home pay, I probably won’t be that much worse off, but obviously my pension will be smaller. But as DH keeps reminding me, no point paying into a pension if you die of overwork before you have a chance to take it!

Yes I do and it’s a good one (LGPS) though I only have 10 years - previous pensions weren’t so generous

Part time sounds ideal, but I’m not sure that would work with my current role - my concern would be I’d likely end up doing the same work for less money

that makes sense for a younger person, but I’m almost 58 and definitely not on an upward trajectory x

I have stepped down from a senior position but still seem to be the go to for things due to experience. I am trying to push back and refer people to the correct person but it is hard and I do not want to seem unhelpful. I am concerned that stepping back but staying in the same place is a mistake and that I will end up doing the previous role without the salary or pay. This is something to consider OP.

Do it without question if your instinct is telling you too..
Most mothers I know have had to step back or cut back hours, or make serious changes at some stage. I know a man who quit a huge role to work in a garden centre out in the forest.
i have nothing but admiration for people who make big changes like this when necessary.
There is more to life than money and that’s for sure.

Now that the thought has occurred to you to make a change, then do it before you get burnt out. It might not be this exact role but I think you know you need something else.

I know people get concerned about pensions but now is more important, you won’t make it there in good health if you continue.

I have done it twice but only with a change of employer so can’t comment on the scope creep of doing it with the same employer which I agree I’d be worried about. First time was after second mat leave but was partly about change of sector too and really paid off. They also let me do a compressed week and it enabled me to get through two under two while keeping a career. Second time was again a change of sector and was much more for work/life balance and managing burnout. That time I found it didn’t work, the grass wasn’t greener and as I was more senior I found it wasn’t as easy to “turn off” the more senior stuff e.g. if you’re an experienced people manager you get drawn into complex situations because you have the skills whether it would normally be part of the job or not. I’m still glad I did it both times as learned a lot but the pay cut second time wasn’t worth it!