Considering stepping down to entry level role for better work life balance

[SantaClawssss]

Has anyone ever taken a big step down In their career, back to very entry level work to get a better work life balance temporarily?
did you regret it? Glad you did it? Has it hindered you moving back up the ladder?
I’m considering doing this as my current job is really taking its toll on me. An accounts payable job has come up and it’s very tempting to go for it due to the flexibility (and not terrible pay) but I’m worried this will be a bad move long term …

Well not entry level exactly, as I had been a senior manager before mat leave, but at least it was one with much less responsibility, where I could work my hours and switch off the minute I left every day.

Yes -Im in permenopause age 42. Went back down the ladder! So so much happier! Less stress, better work life balance & less office days (WFH) Less money but hey ho my health & happiness is more important 😊
The stress & anxiety was too much!

I stepped down for a few years after mat leave. Lower pay and less hours meant it was a big drop in income but it that was mitigated a bit by reduced childcare costs.

It was lovely to have the change of pace and enjoy time with my children. I’ve since gone back to full time and in a more senior role. The step down wasn’t totally disastrous for my career, maybe stalled it a bit, but it has become a bit stagnated up until that point anyway.

It was a bit tight financially, but I don’t regret it, I have happy memories.

This is how I’ve been feeling with my job, the stress is too much. Do you fully WFH ?

Is there not another role you could do at a similar or only slightly lower level. Finance roles are not all the same. I don't know what you're on but I'm a finance controller on £60k and it's not stressful or long hours

Yes! I left teaching in 2022, took a £10k pay drop and went into a civil service role that only required GCSEs in Maths and English and no prior experience. It was the best thing I ever did! I have now progressed to a manager, my work life balance is still significantly better than before I left teaching and I am back up to where my pay was when I left. Not bad in 4 years to achieve what took me 7 years and a lot of misery in teaching.

My son is the entry level graduate. He's the one who works alone in the office while senior staff go for Friday drinks, takes work home at weekends do his boss meets her targets. And gets paid a pittance.

Think first. Entry level doesn't necessarily mean less stress or less work. It definitely means less pay and pension pot.

Yes, up to our third child was in a decent office job and have gone back to a retail job. money wise things are very different and I regularly regret it (and the hours but I’m guessing this wouldn’t affect you, I now work all weekends and holidays, good for childcare as dh can do it but means I don’t get time with them)

Yes, I walked away from my career in education and into an admin job and it made my life so much better. The pay drop was and is hard to manage but we adjusted and my mental health is worth it.

I have no intention of ever moving back up though. I’m staying at the bottom with the work life balance and low stress.

After a career in the financial sector, I recently have started an administration role 3 days a week. Salary is pants, but it’s good not getting stressed about things and simply working the hours I am paid for - plus we get paid tea breaks, what’s not to like!

Difference possibly is, I genuinely don’t need the money. I got a good redundancy payment which I have ploughed into my pension and we have decent savings. I would be less keen to do it in my peak earning years. Can you reduce your hours at all in current role ?

The only thing I’d consider is that it can be utterly frustrating and soul destroying when you’re at the mercy of idiot higher ups in lower influence positions. In some workplaces there is a distinct middle-management type who directs all their energy into maintaining their position. It seems to be more prevalent now the economy is stretched, but if the workplace is properly managed or has fun colleagues - stressless beats money every day of the week.

Oh love, loads of people do this and honestly most don't regret it, especially when their health or family needs it. The key is how you frame it later. Future employers understand "I stepped back for work life balance during a demanding season" far more than you'd think, and accounts payable keeps you in finance so it's not like you're leaving the field entirely. You'll stay sharp on systems, processes and deadlines. When you're ready to climb again, you'll have a clear head and energy to do it properly. The only people I've seen regret it are those who stayed too long and lost confidence, so maybe set yourself a quiet timeline. Your wellbeing isn't a bad move, it's the foundation for everything else.

OP - I did this a year ago, after major burnout due to being managed by unsupportive boss. Was fortunate enough to receive a package so took the summer off but I had started looking for employment. It took a few months, as I decided to move into a completely different sector, but I started a 12 month fixed term contract in November.

I'm enjoying not feeling stressed and working in a supportive team. It's my first part time job and I'm liking not working on Fridays.

That said, the significant drop in pay is something that I'm struggling to grapple. I had been the breadwinner and I know it's unlikely that I will ever earn such a salary again (my DH has no desire to move up the career ladder). You just have to cut your coat according to your cloth.

Why do people use ChatGPT to write their whole response?! I'm sure OP could have put her post into there themselves. Maybe it's just me, but it's so bloody irritating

Interesting that you assume ChatGPT. You do realize it learned to write from people like me, right?