WWYD - Job Related

kbrickell · April 2010

So I might possibly have an opportunity to work with my old company again.

The two major cons are there is travel involved (I can manage the schedule) and the other major con is it would mean a 25k salary deduction. Oh and it would not be a step forward career wise. It would basically be a step back.

The pros are that I would be able to work from home, thus being able to spend more time with the kids. No commuting an hour to work each way. I worked from home before for 5 years with the same company when I first moved Georgia pre-kids. It would also mean a lot less stress. I would not have 50 people to manage, in fact I would not manage anyone. It would be a better overall work life balance. More time for me. Better job security as it is not contract work, which I am currently in my last year on my current contract and we are in the process of getting ready for the rebid there is a 50/50 win possibility. It would also mean that I do not have to be on call 24/7 as I am now. I do not have to be available for severe weather or extreme travel or congestion events, which usually occur over the weekend.

Would you make the switch?

MrsKLB · April 2010

Based on the way you described the job, I think you already know which one you want. The only question is whether you feel you can afford to take the big pay cut. If the less stress and better work life balance are worth the $25k to you, then go for it!

seasidebride05 · April 2010

As long as we could swing it financially with the pay cut--absolutely! I place a huge value on being happy and it sounds as if you would be happier back at your old job. Good luck with your decision!

LaruC27 · April 2010

Personally, the lack of stress, being able to see my kids more and working from home would be all I needed to make the decision as long as our budget could handle the 25k drop in salary. How often would you be traveling? A few days here and there isn't awful but if it were weeks at a time that could get old. Sounds to me like the pros far outweigh the cons and the job security this day in age is a HUGE plus. I don't know what kind of job it is but it sounds like a winner to me =D

Mrs.Guz · April 2010

If you can make it work financially, go for it!

MLvK · April 2010

If the change in salary is worth the pros, then absolutely I would do it.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

kbrickell · April 2010

I think financially it would be hard at first but then again I would not be going out to lunch, spending money on gas or on work clothes. We are trying to sell our house too and have been so once that goes everything would fall into place. It would definitely be an adjustment. Elliott will soon be out of daycare full time so that is another financial plus.

Would you be worried about taking a step back in your career?

Thanks for your comments!

missmlp · April 2010

If you can swing it finanically I say GO FOR IT! I travel every few months and it is not bad at all. I call it a mommy break plus I get to rack up my travel points. I definitely can relate because I have not applied for certain positions in my agency because it would require extra responsibilities and more travel. Although the extra money would be great I can't put any extra stress on myself or my family. It's is already hard enough working outside the home. My hubby and son need me to come home in good spirits and not stressed. Sounds like you may have a great opportunity.

missmlp · April 2010

kbrickell:

Would you be worried about taking a step back in your career?

I would not worry about taking a step back in your career. I think you have to do what is best for you and your family especially since you have little ones. I have applied for several positions that are at the same pay or a little less because I need a change and if I can take 1 step back and get 2 steps forward in the long run then I'm fine with it. When I apply for jobs I look at the long term effect on how the position will help me family wise and career wise instead of just career wise. Also remember that you are young and will have so many more years to work so you will get back to where you are now in no time.

LaruC27 · April 2010

missmlp:
kbrickell:

Would you be worried about taking a step back in your career?
I would not worry about taking a step back in your career. I think you have to do what is best for you and your family especially since you have little ones. I have applied for several positions that are at the same pay or a little less because I need a change and if I can take 1 step back and get 2 steps forward in the long run then I'm fine with it. When I apply for jobs I look at the long term effect on how the position will help me family wise and career wise instead of just career wise. Also remember that you are young and will have so many more years to work so you will get back to where you are now in no time.

I agree with this 100%. Now that I am a mom my family comes first 100% of the time. I hate that being on call 24/7 can sometimes take me away from the things we do together on the weekends so anything that would give me the opportunity to ditch the blackberry that has found itself embedded into my hip at all times would be enough for now. Nothing saying in the future, you couldn't take that step forward again.

K&P414 · April 2010

kbrickell:

Would you be worried about taking a step back in your career?

Thanks for your comments!

Honestly, No. But I've never wanted to climb the corprate ladder. How long would you be able to stay in this type of position? If it's going to be just a year or so and then you'd have to look for something else then I can understand the risk of taking a step back. But if this is a job that you can have for a while then I personally would be more concerned about being sure the financial part still works out and less concerned about taking a step back in my career.

AliBGood · April 2010

MrsKLB:
Based on the way you described the job, I think you already know which one you want. The only question is whether you feel you can afford to take the big pay cut. If the less stress and better work life balance are worth the $25k to you, then go for it!

this

Alison422 · April 2010

MrsKLB:
Based on the way you described the job, I think you already know which one you want. The only question is whether you feel you can afford to take the big pay cut. If the less stress and better work life balance are worth the $25k to you, then go for it!

Ditto! It sounds like you would be so much happier at your old company. Sometimes money is not everything and it sounds like you really work for that extra $25K now. Your job basically consumes every minute of your life. Go for it!

dbryson · April 2010

We did a similar evaluation.
For us, it was more important to have the family time together than the money. But that is just for us.

Sounds like a lot of positives. I like to make a list and have positives on one side and negatives in the other.

Good luck!

ally-cat · April 2010

Kiersten, I would do it. Don't think of it as a step back, think of it as a step forward in enoying your family/life. I know how stressed you are from your current job, and even though it is a big pay cut, I think it's worth it!

Good luck coming to a decision, I'll say a prayer for ya! xoxo

Melliebugs · April 2010

YES! I hope that things work our for you K. I know you have wanted a change for a while this seems like a good move! Working from home you may be able to do something different with the kids as far as daycare to help save some money if at all possible.

julienandy · April 2010

Well as far as stepping back in career, I did it and have no regrets. Then again I really would not say I was ever career type person trying to get high up on the ladder....I was quite happy just below director level as I found the higher up you went, the more it impacted your personal/family life and for me, umm no thanks.

If you can comfortably swing it financially....go for it! Then again, i also HATE driving and your commute would kill me. Smile

ebearwife · April 2010

I did this three years ago and pretty much never looked back. Traded in the high pressure long commute cube farm corporate gig for the "easy" college job a few miles from my house. HOWEVER, my responsibilities at the current job have been tripled with no increase in compensation due to the state budget although my boss keeps telling me relief is in sight. Until today I have been dead set on staying at home but I found out I might get to supervise employees upon my return to work if I stay and I can't help but think that would really boost my resume plus changes are looming to the state's generous benefit package and I only need 3 more years to be fully vested and grandfathered in...so back on the fence I go. In my family situation, the pay cut was fine, but it can be a lot of money to give up and its hard not to remember the generous compensation I had in the past for my troubles when I have bad days. In all honesty, if I had stayed at the previous job I would have had to quit period bc of DH's travel schedule and not being able to do daycare hours reasonably with traffic. So, if this opportunity is OK with your finances and you get more family time, then its win-win, but really think about the other side of the coin, too, before you pull the trigger - just to be sure.

slwprincess · April 2010

Money is not everything. There is a lot to be said for reducing stress and that's something that only YOU can put a value on. I left a supervisor job to take on a non-supervisor job... the pay was the same but the reduction in stress was the biggest raise I could have ever received. It's not that I didn't like management, I'm sure I'll do it again one day, but not while I have small children. I really like only being responsible for ME right now!

Daisygirl613 · April 2010

i took a pay cut when i got pg w/ jax b/c i knew that i wanted to be closer to home, have better hours, and no traffic. i needed that.

we cut back a lot and have more and more since i am working less and less but we don't regret the decision.

every now and then we think about how much more comfortable we were, but then we remember how unhappy i was which made dh unhappy, so we know we made the right decision.

care99 · April 2010

I would take it Kiersten. Even though it is a paycut, the gas/wear and tear on the car, drycleaning, clothes, lunch, etc....it all adds up, so it will be less of a drop than you think. Plus, the decrease in stress and more 'you' and family time I think outweigh all of that. I wouldn't worry about the step back career wise either. I don't think you should approach it like that. Think of it as a way to better yourself personally. If you've worked for them before and they obviously like you, there may be a chance down the road to move up again, if that is even what you want at the time. good luck!!

amanda_holbird@hotmail.com · April 2010

If you can afford to take the 25k paycut, then I would definitely switch to the other job. Good luck with your decision!

seansgirl2006 · April 2010

I too would take the new job. I am in a similar situation right now. I am (hopefully) leaving my teaching job for another teaching job that would be less stressful and where Ethan could be at the same school as me. It is less money and I hate to give up my position when teaching jobs are so scarce now. I also hate that I will not be earning more years for retirement with this job. But I feel that it is worth it and would make me so much happier. I just want to have more time with my son. It sounds like the new job would be a good move for you. Good luck!

AugustaBride04 · April 2010

From a person who works from home full time, I say if you can swing it financially then do it. I can't even begin to list all the little benefits that come from working from home. It's things that you don't even think of, like throwing in a load of clothes during lunch, popping something in the oven for dinner in the afternoon etc PLUS the big ones no commute and more time with your kids/family. I've had this set up ever since H was born and honestly I think it really is the best. I love the flexibility I have. I don't what I would do if either I had to go back to the office FT or switch to a job that won't let you work from home. Yes, I am officially spoiled, but fortunate b/c my whole team is the same way. I will say this - I end up working more from home. Often I get up early in the am to answer emails etc and at night after H goes to bed to finish things that I didn't get a chance to before. Sometimes it is harder to get away from it, b/c it's right there in your house, if that makes sense, but for me overall the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Good luck with your choice.

hthomas02 · April 2010

I think you should definitely take it if you guys can handle it financially! just like the others said, you've been stressed about everything so much that it def sounds like a perfect fit for being able to spend more time with your family, and you've got years ahead to climb back up that ladder if you choose. I took a step down after Finn was born, it was hard to swallow but it was def the right decision! good luck in whatever you choose lady!

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