Should I stay or should I go

[Scallywag2023]

I’m a director of a function in the HQ of a large business. Worked my way way up, been there forever. The culture over recent years has deteriorated for various reasons. I have been thinking of leaving for ages but WFH policy and flexibility has suited my lifestyle and the job market has been very tough.

I have been headhunted for a similar role in the same industry on much better pay and with the ability to run the department rather than reporting into another director.

It seems like a challenging time for this other business, they have gone through a lot of changes but it’s a great opportunity to put my own stamp on a function and run it how I want to run it.

seems like a no brainer BUT my current business has just announced a brand new strategy with a massive transformation programme. Loads more to learn, good people to learn from etc.

Am I looking for to excuses to stay and be lazy instead of stepping out of my comfort zone?

Should I move on?

Or is it sensible to stay where I am when there are such good new opportunities to learn (no extra pay though)

i think I should move but it seems inconceivable to me that might actually happen.

What's the difference in salary? Im not as high up as you but have moved around a lot and have seen some shocking organisations and cultures. Im now in the better the devil you know camp, but you just never know. The changes in your current org sound exciting.

Thanks for the response - difference in salary is significant, about 25%. Take home increase would be about £1k a month.

That is why it seems a no brainer but I am worried about work / life balance if I take such a big step up and move into a business with significant changes underway.

BUT I am also sick of the culture at my current company. The micro managing at every level is off the scale and it feels like there is a lack of trust in the senior board members to allow people to get the job done.

The pay increase sounds great and I would not be able to stand micromanagement! I put everything into chat gpt now. Maybe if you do that and include the company names it might give you a great answer! Can you negotiate some sort of flexibility?

Definitely go. Good luck

It’s very hard to change a company culture and it takes a long time, even with the best will in the world. Are you willing to wait for that? If not, I’d move.

Move on. Micro-management is soul-destroying.

A new strategy in and of itself won’t lead to a new culture, and we all know what they say about culture and strategy!

You only live once OP, even regardless of the money, don’t let this be the one that got away! If they’re headhunting you they clearly want you, so get in early with the working pattern/flexibility that it would take to bring you onboard.

Then go and smash it!

It’s amazing how quickly the culture has deteriorated under a new CEO and I think it’s not going to change. I’ve just been sidetracked because a new strategy has been announced but I guess that won’t fundamentally change the culture.

I know I should move, because of the culture but also it’s embarrassing I’ve been there so long. I think I’m looking for reasons not to change because it feels a bit scary!

Yes and they seem willing to be flexible. I think I know what I need to do… if I turned it down I would regret it I think.

It’s a very big decision when you have worked somewhere for so long, were you applying for other posts or thinking of moving jobs OP?

Usually more money comes at a price, they will want their pound of flesh, it’s sounds like the job you have suits your lifestyle currently, this would be a big consideration for me, in these times I would also consider my redundancy rights, extra days annual leave that I had built up etc OP. For what reason is the new business having significant changes?

Could you use being headhunted to negotiate increased salary in your current post?

Wishing you all the best with the decision you make.

I’m not sure, OP. May I ask how old you are, roughly? 40s, 50s?

New strategies and cultures take years to realise. And an incredibly high percentage fail or dont achieve the planned benefits. To see if this made it better you would need to give it at least another 2 years. So 8’d take the other job. If its not right-you just move on again. But at least you made a change and got ‘out’. Transforming your own department and defining its culture will be really rewarding

I think I'd go through the interview process for the other job and ask some good questions so you can suss out how much it will impact your work/life balance. There is no such thing as a free lunch, so if they're going to pay you an extra grand a month, what do they want in return? I'm sorry, that sounds very cynical, but life has taught me to be that way!

If you go through the process and the main things that are important to you will either stay the same, improve or be acceptable to you (e.g. no. of WFH days, flexibility about which office you go into, no. of holiday days, no. of people reporting to you, obviously the role itself and what it will involve, etc), then think about what you could do with that extra money (pay down your mortgage quicker, retire earlier, take nicer holidays, afford whatever nice thing you currently can't) and work out whether the additional work and responsibility will be worth it in the long run. But you won't be able to really balance all that stuff up unless you interview.

i did a move after 10 years in a job. Since then I've been promoted twice in 5 years. Yes, it's more of a challenge but my brain is being stretched. If I'd stuck where I was I'd be more bored and be paid less. My role is senior so has flexibility when I need it but the hours usually fly by. I'm so glad I was brave!

You're absolutely right, is a big decision, feels like a massive one for me because I’ve only ever worked at my current business - but then it also feels like that’s a reason to go!

I have been thinking of going for a long time, a couple of years really, but the job market has been tricky and the flexibility I get is hard to find elsewhere.

I think from what they are saying, the new job would still give me flexibility to a degree, it’s just the unknown so I guess I need to ask to get it put in my contract?

I am also at an age where I know perimenopause is due to kick in with all the joys that brings and would life be easier working somewhere I know etc etc.

But then equally, I can’t not do something just because it might be a bit hard!

The new business has had redundancies following a change of management. Sounds to me like it was needed, they are in the process of modernising it.

I appreciate all the comments, thanks everyone

46 - as I say above I’m a bit worried about what the next few years will bring. I’ve not had peri symptoms yet but I know it could happen

As soon as you suspect get straight on hrt. It's probably the thing you'll bond over with your new colleagues.

Yes I do agree with this. It’s very early days and I’ve seen this kind of thing announced in a trail of glory only to be a damp squib many times to be fair

OP the new company have just called you and said they have been speaking to two people and the other person has accepted the role, so unfortunately the job offer isn’t on the table.

What’s your gut reaction? That will tell you deep down what you really want

Disappointed!!!

Not everyone has a bad peri/menopause OP. And even if you have symptoms (I think I had most of the list at one point!) as long as you can go on HRT it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

I started a brand new career at 51 and honestly, I don't think I'd have had the confidence or the energy if I hadn't been on HRT, but similarly I have friends who sailed through menopause without much trouble and continued working in FT, responsible and busy positions without the hormonal help. Me, I needed it, but thank god our generation can get our hands on it easily!

Really hope I’m one of those people 😬 Everyone I know my age is talking about it so I am definitely looking out for signs!

The extra pension contributions, extra take home pay plus brain challenge and autonomy sound great!

I’m in a very similar position OP, right down to the disappointment in current CEO and potential new employer making lots of much needed changes. I’ve been where I am over 10 years and am in the throes of peri. I’ve been headhunted too and I’m going for it and I think you should too.

Wow very similar! Very best of luck to you 🍀