Would you take a pay-cut for better work/life balance?

sweetsunnyc · June 2014

Just curious. I recently took a new job that I will be starting next week. The benefits of the new job is that the office is less than a mile away from home and they are going to let me set my own hours so I can have flexibility with my girls. It is also more in line with what I enjoy doing career wise.

The downside is that it is less pay. That being said, the pay cut is not significant enough that it will have a terrible impact- we may just have to watch spending a little more closely. I was talking with a coworker this morning that was really surprised that I would be moving on to a position that was less money. She made the comment that it was like going backwards in my career. I was surprised that she said that.

Has anyone considered or taken a position that was less money, but gave them a better sense of balance?

mb314 · June 2014

I would consider it, so long as the long term benefits (401k/pension/health care) were similar or not taking too much of a hit. My field is really small, and any other job in my field would come with significantly less benefits (like no 401k/pension option, worse health care for the family), and that's not worth it to me.

If I could make a little less, and work 4 days a week or have a more flexible schedule, but still get health care, my pension options, and be able to grow at my job, I would do it in a flash.

Tink112011 · June 2014

Yup, I made a career change and took a pay cut 5 years ago. Best decision I ever made! I went from being at a large health insurance company to a public university.

The pay cut wasn't extreme, but about $4K annually. Over the past 5 years, however, my salary has increased to be above my health insurance salary. Sure, my salary will max out below what it could have been, but I'm fine with that.

Work/live balance is a top priority for me. I need to enjoy my job and being away from my family. I need to have time to enjoy life. That feeling of peace and contentment is priceless.

I also get a lot more vacation at my current job, and with DS, I wouldn't trade all that vacation for more money. Never never never.

vvvvvfee · June 2014

i absolutely would. i would LOVE to have a job that was 5 minutes away from my house, even if i was still working full time and even if i had to take a pay cut. don't underestimate how miserable a commute can make you-- seriously-- studies have shown that it's not worth it. the increased pay doesn't make up for the decrease in happiness level caused by commuting. the commute costs you your time plus increased gas and car maintenance costs. plus the flexibility you mentioned is a huge benefit. does your coworker have kids? because if she doesn't, i would take her advice with a grain of salt.

litzo27 · June 2014

I didn't experience this situation first hand but some of my friends did choose to take pay-cuts but for more "family-friendly" set-ups such as working 4 days a weeks, working from home, having flexible hours, etc. I really like how @K3am put it - a top-line paycut may actually translate in a small change in the bottom line if you add in all the factors. I would definitely consider this assuming that the financial impact wouldn't be significant and the other factors such as 401K and insurances are still good. Also I would consider the type of the position itself. Is it just a cut in terms of hours or in terms of title/responsibility, etc. If you want to "lean in" again once the kids are older is it going to look just as good on your resume as another position.

rockychryslerb2010 · June 2014

Yes, this is my plan. I still work for my NYC based company, but live a few states away. I am finishing up my MBA hoping to find something close to what I'm making now. I know I'll have a cost of living adjustment switching to a local job, but I'm also paid very well for what I do. To me, having set hours and limited responsibility overnight and on weekends is worth a pay cut. I've had to be available all hours of the day for the last few years and I'm just over it. I would love a job where I can just stop work at a set time and there is no expectation that I monitor email until 9-10pm on a daily basis. My boss emailed me Sunday morning a few weeks ago and was p*ssed I didn't respond until 730am on Monday!

rodiesmum · June 2014

Yes. In a heartbeat.

MommaP12 · June 2014

I am planning to do this in some fashion in the next 6 months and am working on 2 options right now:

1. I'm looking at a position that would have no travel and be with a better company that I know I would enjoy more and I'm willing to take a 20K cut for that. DS won't be in daycare as of this fall and we've paid off some things so we can swing it.

2. if #1 doesn't pan out, I'm considering cutting back at my current job as of the new year and again take about a 20K cut. I'd move to a better department and go down to 4 days hopefully.

To me, there's no amount of money that can make me happy in a job if I don't like what I do, I don't like the hours, etc. I'd much rather have a good commute, love where I work and what I do and have great family/work balance.

Sept07b2b · June 2014

I did this 3 years ago after having my first. I left a law firm for an in-house job. It was a substantial pay-cut with a lot less opportunity for financial growth. I haven't regretted it for a second. I have such a better work-life balance, and I still make enough to make us comfortable.

I would take another cut for part-time if the opportunity presented itself. I work to make myself happy and provide some financial flexibility, but more time with the kids would always win if I could continue to do what I liked.

jesuisfatiguee · June 2014

Abstractly, yes, absolutely. I cannot afford a paycut at all right now, and think I currently have an adequate work/life balance with my current hours and commute, though.

dashofreality · June 2014

Yes, I did it and it has been fantastic. When my DD was born I went down to working 24 hours a week with 2 days WFH. I still had 6-8 hours of commuting during the other 3 days. Now I am 24 hour full time WFH. I am looking to bump it up to 80% so 32 hours a week. I do often work a few more hours than 24 to make everything work and be available, but who doesn't.

Another benefit was that they took my salary and dropped me to hourly. So now I am non-exempt and get overtime if I work 40+. It is great. If I was still in the DC area I would be underpaid at full time rate. But we have now moved to the boonies so I guess I would be well paid for this area.

DH carries the benefits, so that was never an issue. I truly feel that PT is the best of both worlds with young children.

TheBorg7of9 · June 2014

I don't think it's a good idea for me. I could potentially go down to 80% hours/ 80% salary. But 20% of my salary pays for the nanny, which I will need even at 80%. Plus, as an attorney, I do client-based work, which means I am always on call anyway. So, I am not sure if it would turn out that I would actually end up only working 80%. Besides, I am very happy with my hours of 8:30 to 5:30 right now.

tacosandtums · June 2014

I took a job with a paycut 9 months ago and have significantly better W/L balance. I leave here when work is over, working essentially no unpaid overtime (like I did in my last job) and I have lots more vacation time. I would not trade it for a few more thousand dollars a year.

I would add to consider the source who questioned your choice. Maybe your coworker doesn't have kids, or doesn't have the same priorities as you do. Maybe she doesn't see the value in a flexible schedule, or a shorter commute. Other people will always have an opinion on what you do...and at the end of the day it doesn't matter what people think, only that you are doing what is best for you.

VOR · June 2014

Absolutely. In a sense, I kind of have already. I work for the state and didn't get a raise for 5 years and was actually furloughed for 3 of them (i.e lost $$). I could go elsewhere (private sector) and make more $$, but - the flexibility and balance that i have right now just can't be beat.

I do wish I actually enjoyed my job more, but even so - the benefits of my job outweigh everything else right now.

Money really is NOT everything.

skibunny59 · June 2014

Absolutely! If you and your DH could afford it and would not be hurting financially. Honestly, I am happiest when I'm not at work. I already have a very good work/life balance. (I'm a teacher)

justifyyourlove · June 2014

mrsdelcastillo said:

Just curious. I recently took a new job that I will be starting next week. The benefits of the new job is that the office is less than a mile away from home and they are going to let me set my own hours so I can have flexibility with my girls. It is also more in line with what I enjoy doing career wise.
The downside is that it is less pay. That being said, the pay cut is not significant enough that it will have a terrible impact- we may just have to watch spending a little more closely. I was talking with a coworker this morning that was really surprised that I would be moving on to a position that was less money. She made the comment that it was like going backwards in my career. I was surprised that she said that.
Has anyone considered or taken a position that was less money, but gave them a better sense of balance?

I don't agree it's "going backwards" because you've "advanced" your life with your family now. If you can afford the change, then only you can decide. I've reduced my schedule to 32-hours so I can be with my new baby. It is painful being away from her and I definitely don't see myself as a "career woman" with a new baby. I personally encourage you to do what you want. We cannot just work and work especially with babies unless you cannot afford it.

skibunny59 · June 2014

I was also wondering if your coworker has kids. I feel like most moms I know put their families first. I don't know a single working mom in real life who is a "career woman". All the working moms I know are just trying to financially support their families and also maximize time with their LOs. When you have kids your priorities change big time and a career isn't the most important thing anymore.

ccam · June 2014

As long as I had comparable benefits, I'd do it in a heartbeat, especially since the cut doesn't sound too significant. I work to pay the bills, my kids come first. A few more hours with them would be worth the cut.

jennyelf · June 2014

I did 2.5 years ago when I was 7 months pregnant with LO. It was about 5% and I also missed out on the 5% raise my old company was about to give me. Worth it? Yes. I went from a job that sometimes had me at 60-80 hrs a week with travel that one month had me in my own bed only 8 days out of 30 to a job with travel for only 1-2 nights a year and a set 40hrs a week.

Also new job had access (not guaranteed) to subsidized daycare and was on the bike path. Same commute distance and similar but slightly better benefits.

Overall, I don't regret the decision. I'm much happier and more relaxed now. Also managed to lose a bunch of weight now that I was at home, able to exercise and cook healthy meals and bike to work which I'm sure has made my medical bills much lower.

khaze · June 2014

I was in a similar situation last year. I ended up getting more $$, but technically took a "backwards step" career wise for better hours/more flexibility. TOTALLY WORTH IT.

ricekez · June 2014

I would take a 25 - 30 hr per week job in a heartbeat! I'd love to keep working but work less and be able to pick my kids up from school (when they're school-aged).

sweetsunnyc · June 2014

It's so reassuring to read through all of these great responses.

I feel like it's a win/win for my family and the money will work itself out. The benefits/401K are pretty much the same- plus the fact that I can walk to work is a huge bonus. Last year, I was commuting an hour and 15 minutes each way. I was moved to a closer location that is about 30 minutes each way, but still. I think that I am really going the extra hour of not being in the car.

The co-worker that made the comment about going backwards does have a daughter, but she is in high school, so totally different situation.

I am looking forward to the change!

Curls218 · June 2014

I have! I am now working part-time as the bookkeeper for my office. I used to work 9:30-6 plus at least 2 nights a week for work related events. Plus I was always "on" and constantly checking e-mails to make sure nothing urgent came in at night/on weekends (which at least once a week it did). Yes I feel like I had to give up my dream career, but there is no way I could have balanced it all and it helps me enjoy my days off where I can almost totally be "present" and not constantly checking in with work (I do check my e-mail once or twice a day on my own time just to make sure I didn't miss anything urgent). I'm getting less than half my pay but thankfully we can afford it.

mexicolombiana · June 2014

Heck yes. In fact a few months ago I decided to go part time and I'm now working 2 days a week, just Mondays and Wednesdays. BEST decision ever. Of course it was a big decision and we had to make sure we could afford it, but we were paying our nanny SO much $ that it's working out so far.

Divallyn · June 2014

Yup, I took a 13K for two more weeks of vacation a year and a lot less responsibility, therefore way shorter hours. We live well below our means so it wasn't even a question for me. Best decisions ever!

KL777 · June 2014

I most definitely would. Work-Life Balance is a very top priority for me. However, I have it pretty good where I am now. I love what I do, the pay is great, substantial amount of time off during Christmas, and the commute is only 20 minutes.

Ignore your coworker. Some people couldn't understand why I didn't go for an opening that was a higher position. It's because I would never be happy with the work-life balance that position would've offered. You know what you want out of life better than anyone else.

jetgrrrl · June 2014

It seems like your situation is a no-brainer. Where I live, daycare and other living costs are so high that to take a lower-paying job would be nearly impossible. I would have to quit to save us on the costs of daycare. But if I could use fewer daycare hours and make somewhat less money? Absolutely.

DiaMT · June 2014

I would take a pay-cut. In my case, I have held back from chasing a higher paying position and growing my career. The next step for me would include longer hours and travel. Currently I have a good salary, great benefits, live close to work and daycare, and have flexible hours. I know not growing my career may make it harder to do so down the road but the sacrifice is worth it to me. I get to stay home with my kids when they're sick, I don't take work home with me, I can work flexible hours, and I'm away from my kids a lot less.

Brian Dyson, former CEO of Coca-Cola gave a speech reflecting how i feel about work/life balance and the place work has in my life. Here is the most memorable quote:

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit … and you’re keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for Balance in your life.

tatithomas · June 2014

I would do it in a heartbeat! What you described sounds like my dream

Doubletrouble12 · June 2014

Would be totally worth it to me. Family life is the most important thing I believe.

cwallin500 · June 2014

I did almost a year ago and its was the best thing I ever did.....we actually moved halfway across the country to be closer to my family after having myson because my husband and I both hated our jobs and worked 70 hours a week each. Plus I had a 90 minute commute each way and was miserable the day I went back to work after maternity leave. Now I have a 20 minute commute, never work more than 40 hours a week and can stay home any time I need to if my son is sick. The quality of our life is so much better, I can't even remember why I stayed in that job for 10 years ! It was a huge pay cut for me but thankfully a lot of things are cheaper where we moved and we are doing just fine and I get to see not just my son, but my husband more often....

Russiandea12 · June 2014

After my son was born I went from working 5 days to 4 days. I really love the extra day of being home with him and is totally worth the fianancial sacrifice of going from 40 to 32 hours. Also, I was able to keep all my benefits as long as I'm over 30 hours.

jtmomma13 · June 2014

Yes- like PP's have mentioned you can save in the commute and that might equal out the pay you're missing. Also- if you have better benefits- that's again saving you money.

While I work the same position and got a raise this year- I cut back my hours. So I work 32.5 hours in the office a week (I get paid for 35 though) vs 40. It makes a major difference in our lives since I pick up our LO at 415PM. Before LO I wasn't getting home until 630-7PM and if that was still the case I would be miserable as LO goes to bed at 615ish. We still get my company's benefits and I still get my commuter pass expensed so this wasn't a major hit to us financially.

I can also understand your co-workers concern. But at the end of the day- your own sanity and personal happiness is important. I think that being in the workforce regardless of your job, is good for your resume and I don't think it would push you back too far.

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