Should I accept this new job?

[Anonymouse223]

I am currently on £87,500 as a family partner in a law firm in the regions. I’m not a head of department.

I’ve been offered £100k for a head of department role at a smaller firm. I’ve been a hod before.

I feel I am struggling financially having been through divorce etc and have a young son. This additional £600 will help with paying off credit cards and give me a chance to move to a larger place.

My target Is too high where I am and despite constantly being one of the highest billers and exceeding my target by £20k I was given a below inflation pay rise and a bonus of £350 gross. Without going for equity which is stressful in its own right I can’t see my pay increasing significantly and I have no control over that.

I am gutted as I love my firm despite the high targets and I have no interest in title etc but I feel it would be mad to walk away from an extra £600 net a month, in my circumstances.

Thoughts?

Move. Your current employer doesn’t fully value you. You can always come back in the future or move again to a larger firm if needed.

Well other than loving your current firm you haven’t given any other reasons to stay. What about practical considerations like commute or other benefits like pensions?

I would lose my private medical health. Everything else is the same. There is a better bonus structure here. Commute is slightly longer but working day finishes at 5 rather than 5.30. I think I just hate change.

Hey
I’m also a family law partner and head of a dept. Is there a reduced billing target in comparison to your current place? I found it a big jump up to head of team with significant management responsibilities so I’d definitely want a reduced target if I were you. But I agree your current firm doesn’t appear to value you. Is it worth a conversation to see if they will increase your pay / bonus if you stay given you have this on the table?

Will it be 600 a month though ?

On the face of it I can't see why you wouldn't.? It's all very well loving where you work but not if they are taking advantage of you and underpaying you.

But it is important not to be lured by the salary without really scrutinising where you are moving to...
Are you confident in the financial position of the new firm? Have they had any issues that could affect their stability? What's the management like?