Which one would you choose?

[PhoebesGuitar]

Currently on mat leave due to return Feb 2026. Applied and was successful for another role but wasn’t expecting it so unsure whether to go for it or not.

current role:
£40,000 salary (for full time)
hybrid working (2 day pw wfh)
flexi start/finish time
small team that gets on well
manager has agreed to reduce my working hours to 30hpw from April and work a 4 day week
enjoy the work but a bit boring
little room for progression

potential role
£46,000 (full time)
able to apply for 30hpw/flexi working from start - not guaranteed but likely to get it
does not seem to be any WFH home options
unsure of team structure
something new and exciting I am interested in with room for further progression

for context I’m a first time mum and have loved being on maternity leave, and my current role I feel offers me a good balance to be a present mum and work at the same time. New role has the potential to offer the same but I wouldn’t know for definite until I’m in the role if that makes sense! Any advice or thoughts greatly appreciated 😊

How boring is boring in your current job? You say you enjoy it.
I’d be tempted to stay there while your child is so young as it sounds super flexible, you know the team and they know you.
Do you particularly want to progress in your career at this stage bearing in mind you’re loving maternity leave?
Could you progress it in a few years?
For an extra 6k, I’m not sure I’d make the leap at this stage but that’s just me!

Is it an internal role? Just checking as you may have to pay back some mat leave if you leave your current t work place

Boring in that it’s easy and very repetitive but I work with a lot of lovely people and it can be rewarding. All the points you’ve listed are in my pros list for staying! I think I would like to progress as I’ve always been a hard worker and jumped at opportunities to progress in the past but you are right in that is now the time for that or do I leave it a few years. It’s difficult to know as the new role has the potential to be just as flexible and rewarding but obv not as guaranteed as current role is!

Yes it’s internal so no issues there

It’s a tough one, as obviously an increase in salary and room for progression would usually be welcome, but coming back from maternity leave is tough. I definitely found it better to go back into a familiar environment where I didn’t have to prove myself and had the trust and support of well known colleagues. Boring can be good when you’re going back, because your brain is taxed enough as it is with all the extra brain power having a child and managing the logistics entails (not to mention inevitable sick days). How much does your partner do with your child? If the drop offs, pick ups, dinners, bedtimes and prepping nursery bags etc will be fairly well shared, then you might have the capacity to take on more at work. For me I’d err on the side of the boring job you have, but that is specific to my circumstances

I'd stay in your current role until you've been back for at least six months and got a feel of what it's like to be a working mum.

Things like child sickness/childcare issues for example, would be much easier to deal with in a team where you've already got goodwill than trying to deal with it in a new team where you're trying to make a good impression.

I think the wfh is likely to be a big benefit although this does depend on your commute obviously. If you're saving an hour at each end of the day that is going to be a massive blessing when it comes to getting a tired, grumpy baby bathed and into bed at a reasonable time. If your commute is ten minutes then less of an issue obviously!

See if the flexible working request comes back in your favour for the new job.

Do you have a supportive partner for all of the child sickness that will come from nursery? Easier to do in established job where you have proved your worth, especially when you catch it all too. But dont let that stop you progressing!

@NuffSaidSam@MerryGuidehave an incredibly hands on partner who works nights so is usually home 8am-7pm. Current commute is less than 10mins, new commute would be 30mins so still not terrible. I resonate quite a bit with all the comments regarding having the flexibility and goodwill from an already established team if and when needed - I’ve had colleagues with young kids and the general consensus is they are hard workers and will always catch up so no issues which I know is something I’d massively appreciate being reciprocated as a mum returning to work! Thanks all for the supportive comments I appreciate them all