Take a paycut?

eec129

I posted about this awhile ago, but I'm currently thinking of leaving a work-at-home position in my field of marketing communications because I have a crazy boss and I really miss the workplace. I am in the final steps of interviewing for one position and now I just found out my previous company, which I loved, also has an opening of interest to me. I contacted HR and they want me to come in to talk about it! However, the pay is significantly lower than my current position (about the same as what I made when I was there). At first I was ready to jump on it but then I started thinking, do I REALLY want to go backwards? Anyone else ever faced a pay cut decision? If so, what did you do? The benefits at my old company are better, which helps, but it's still a significant chunk lower.

gingerfamily

You have to figure out if you can afford it.  Is a paycut worth leaving the company you're at?  Why did you leave the company to begin with? 

Those are all things I'd ask myself.

 

eec129

Thanks....I left my previous company for the flexibility of working at home, which ended up not being so flexible as my boss expects me to be available at practically all times, and also for a big pay hike, though we were getting along just fine at my old salary. DH is the breadwinner in our family so my salary is a little less crucial though any extra is nice of course.

GreenMonkey1

I took a $25 K pay cut when I moved to my current position.  It still burns me a bit, but the loss of pay was definitely worth my sanity.  I was at the point of being so stressed from work I was having serious headaches and went to see a doctor thinking something was wrong.

If your family can float the change in salary and the new job will bring you better quality of life, then I'd say go for the change. 

jf198400

When I was looking for a new job, I knew I was willing to make a change if I found the right job that was close to home even if it meant less money.  I hated my last job and had a terrible commute.  You have to make the choice that will make you the happiest, you can't put a price tag on that.

SecondTimeinMSU

DH was in a similar position. He ended up going back to his old work eventhough it meant taking a huge pay cut and returning to his old salary. His new boss was crazy and he was constantly worried about losing his job (she kept firing her own son then rehiring him later) . I don't know if she would've cut him but the stress and bad hours was driving him crazy and hurting our quality of life. It sucked getting a 10K + pay cut but we'd lived on the old salary before so it was doable. He ended up at his old job for a year and half before getting a job at his current company which is the best of both worlds, it took three years but he's now back where he was and continuing to move up. We tried to look at is not as going backward but as a detour into something that would make him happy until he could finally get into the position he is now.

eec129

Yes, there will be annual raises and some bonuses as well. The pay cut would be about $15K, minus additional benefits (less insurance, etc.) I would receive. 

Honestly, I wasn't looking to quit my last position. I just had a baby and thought that having a little more flexibility (plus a pay raise) would be great, but as it turns out, it seems even LESS flexible if that's even possible. I don't regret taking my current job, because I think anyone would have, but unfortunately, working at home isn't all that it's cracked up to be, at least for me.

mommymegan831

I'm always looking for p/t work.  I was just offered a 3 day a week teaching job at a $30,000 cut, we just couldn't afford that.  They offered me 4 days at a $20,000 cut, I still probably couldn't afford it, but I also don't think $20,000 is worth one extra day home when I'm with my kids by 2:45 everyday anyway

tilsonc

I personally would not take a pay cut. I want to get as much money as possible for the hours I have to spend working (if that makes sense). However, I do understand if you aren't about to have flexibility in your work schedule (even though it is remote). How long have you worked remote? I am going on my 4th year. It took me about a year to get used to working remote and not having the office environment. I would never be able to go back to cube life again!! I do travel 1 day a week,  but the other days I am in my home office or doing lunch meetings around town. I have enjoyed it since LO was born because I have been able to postpone childcare. I am in the process of hiring a nanny and will feel good they are in the next room and I can go see her whenever I want.