New job offer - long
knottied2a666e3e38a2a87
member
I know I have to make this decision on my own, but I sure would like the input of some other working moms. Neither of these jobs are glamorous at all, they are just government jobs and my plan is to stay in government for ten years for loan forgiveness. Pay is virtually the same.
My current job is as a child support enforcement attorney. I just started this year and it's my first job out of law school, so I am lucky they took a chance on me in this market. So far, they have provided thorough, slow-paced training and I don't even have a full caseload yet.
Pro's:
-lots of flexibility with my time
-I know what to expect
-I actually kind of like what I do and the idea of it
Con's:
-I am technically indefinitely temporary, which means NO health insurance for me, DH, or baby, no paid leave or holidays. There is no guarantee whether or when they might promote me to permanent status, and they have a reputation for hiring from outside instead of promoting from within
-If I were "promoted," I would have to sign a two-year commitment and would not receive any kind of raise. After this "promotion" there are NO other promotions available in our office. Ever.
-lots of car travel (I am reimbursed but it's still a pain)
-my coworkers/environment are gossipy and hostile
The new job would be as a public defender. It's a smaller office with a relatively light caseload (I clerked there for a few months). I would probably be thrown into court with minimal training.
Pro's:
-much closer to home, and NO travel
-I would be permanent with benefits immediately
-It would be nice to have developed experience in two practice areas rather than just one, for future use
Con's:
-The hassle of switching jobs
-The joy of figuring out how to tell them I'm pregnant (I haven't told my current employer yet either, and even though that conversation won't be easy, there's nothing like having it at the negotiation table)
-Don't know what to expect, dealing with (accused) criminals isn't fun, and I might hate it
-Immediately under two-year contract
So there you have it. I have until Wednesday to decide. I'm not in a huge hurry for the insurance because I have Medicaid for this pregnancy, but my husband is emphatic about it because he needs medical attention, can't get insurance through his job, won't leave his job. What are your thoughts? Is there a tactful way to tell my current employer that I have another offer in attempt to get them to promote me to permanent? If I accept the new job, should I inform them immediately about the pregnancy and the leave I'll need so as not to have to tell them in a couple of weeks anyway and appear subversive? I know the laws about hiring pregnant women but I want to be fair.
Thanks in advance!
Re: New job offer - long
My financial situation OK, thank you. One reason I prefer for DH to stay at his current job despite having no insurance is that he can take the child to work. They have a sort of nursery there at no cost. Am I thrilled about being on Medicaid? No, but if I can keep covering my child through it later (I pay a deductible because I actually make money) and not have to have a job I hate, I'll do it. Purchasing private insurance is an option later, but I've found that most don't cover pre-existing pregnancies, so that's out for now. Call me selfish but it's not worth misery to me. Not that I'm positive that the new job would be miserable, I have no way of knowing -- but there is a reason they make you sign a two-year contract (at both jobs), and that is turnover.
Thanks again for all the thoughts. It's going to be a pensive weekend!
Regarding not getting paid for maternity leave that is not uncommon. I am an attorney for the federal government and I was paid based on leave that I have saved. We don't get any special paid maternity leave.
I agree! We had private insurance for a year and it was expensive and a pain to use but I preferred that to medicaid because DH and I made the decision for me to be home that year. It's not the government's responsibility to cover your family because you don't want to be a grown up and do the right thing for your family. Medicaid is for people who have no other option not people who choose to be irresponsible.
As a current DA in the San Francisco Bay Area-
1. I am totally shocked you got a PD job with such a clear disdain for the work. Out here, every county has a hiring freeze and our PD and our office has misdemeanor units staffed with people working for free that want the jobs so bad. As an aside, I am the one that gets funny looks for wanting to "put people in jail" and being a PD is considered a very noble and necessary job.
2. All things being equal, you should take the PD job as it is the best decision for your family at this time. Its a two year contract, so worse comes to worse you can get out of there with no holes in employment and some amazing litigation experience, even if you do not want to do it.
3. You need to re-frame your thoughts about the PD job. Again, I am kind of horrified your area would hire you with your attitude. Granted, there are some PDs who I think are slimy and have no morals, but most of them are really dedicated to the idea that they are upholding the constitution and providing counsel for those who could not afford it and not be able to navigate the system for themselves. If you cannot change your perspective on the job, it is going to crush you-but that is something you control.
For the PP that called her selfish-well if she really hates the work and does a bad job with her clients, she runs the risk of committing misconduct. Her job calls for her to defend someone's rights, and if you just are not into it, you really shouldn't be doing the job.
4. Finally you said it was a light caseload and you know the office. If you know the workload is light, you can realize that you are performing a vital function in our system of justice AND you get benefits, I can see the next 24 months going quickly.
5. PS-my maternity leave was not paid, I am using vacation/sick/floating holiday/PTO to cover it and I get six months.
My .02.