Update: Would you do this?

MommaP12 · August 2014

Would you take a 10-15K paycut with your bonus going down by 5% in exchange for:

Liking what you do much better and seemingly have a better boss (only time would tell)

Better benefits (health insurance and paid time off/holidays)

Working at a company named #1 in your city due to caring for employees, culture, etc.

Adding 10-15 minutes on your commute

Probable loss of flexibility to work from home once in a while

aglenn · August 2014

It's all relative, like PrivacyWanted said above. If the monetary differences are no big deal for your personal situation and the future opportunities are better, it could make sense. If you hate your current job and need to make a move for sanity, that could make sense as well. It all depends, but keep in mind that it's not always that easy to make up lost ground in salary so I wouldn't do it unless I was comfortable with the difference.

bumpuser10331514 · August 2014

No.

Maybride2 · August 2014

No. You honestly don't have a convincing reason. Maybe a better boss. A longer commute. Less flexibility. On top of a substantial paycut. Nope.

minirella · August 2014

Depends...

I look at future potential...if you take a paycut now, will the pay-off be better longterm?

Boss...depends on if you have issues (I've left a job because of a boss but he tried to convince HR that he needed an assistant, not a colleague and thus treated me accordingly).

Holidays/benefits...maybe. When I worked in law enforcement, I use to work 7a-7p and hadn't had a Thanksgiving/Christmas off in 7 years - some by choice so those with children could be with them and some not. I would be willing to work a few hours on the holiday but not all day.

Flexibility...I'd have a hard time with this one but it depends on how truly flexible your schedule really is. If it is anything like my work where they don't give a rats butt as long as the work gets done, nope.

shannm · August 2014

I was leaning yes and then said you were adding to your commute. I have had 1-2 hour one way commutes for nearly a decade and there is no way I would add to that AND lose money. Unless I was coming home crying everyday because I was completely miserable and HAD to keep a job.

VOR · August 2014

I do agree w/ Privacy that some of htis really is relative.

But - for me, personally? Probably not. Taking $$ away and adding to my commute AND losing flexibility? I'd have to truly be MISERABLE to do this.

kristennd · August 2014

I've taken some major pay cuts for better opportunities, but it's unclear here whether this would be the case.

"Better benefits (health insurance and paid time off/holidays)"

Does that mean more generous or you're not getting health insurance and paid leave now at all?

Also, award-winning workplace culture and less flexibility seem contradictory.

catahoulatte · August 2014

Doubtful, but I already commute about 1 hr each way. And financially, with DS's new school costing more than DC and us about to need a new car, I personally wouldn't right now anyway, because we'd have to lower what we put in Savings each week or something to make up the difference.

MickeyM04 · August 2014

Wait, so it's a 10-15K pay cut, a decrease in bonus, a longer commute AND a loss of flexibility. Me personally: Hell. No. That's a loss of money, more time away from my kids, and inability to work from home when kids are sick/daycare is closed for in-service, etc. In order for me to be OK with a longer commute and a loss of flexibility, I would need a pay increase, not a pay decrease. I would only be OK with a pay cut and a decrease in bonus because it is going to make my family life easier, not harder.

MommaP12 · August 2014

Thanks for the feedback ladies! Sounds like I should clarify a few things and I just got some additional info yesterday too (my final interview is tomorrow):

1) Commute is via the train so increasing my train ride from 30 minutes to 40 minutes (a couple extra stops past where I get off now)

2) I have health/vision/dental now, but it's a pretty high cost AND my BC isnt' covered - I pay $109/month for that alone so if my insurance costs go down and BC is covered, that is a lot of savings right there that helps offset the salary

3) I actually did just find out that it's possible to work from home if it's needed from a friend that already works there (like to wait for the cable man, parent/teacher conferences, etc.) which is pretty much what I have now, so that's okay.

4) New place would give me 12 holidays versus the 7 I get now plus 3 weeks vacation and 10 personal days - this is much more time off. They also give a 3 week sabbatical as of your 4 year anniversary.

5) I think we could swing the pay cut as DH will get a raise as of January and we'll have CC debt paid off as of then - and if the insurance $ and BC savings come into play it will work

6) I know I would enjoy what I do at the new place much, much more plus the culture is much better - though I am not utterly miserable in my current job.

I'm not miserable in my current job, but the opportunity presented itself - I have friends that work there and love it, it's the #1 place to work in my city due to culture, benefits, wellness, etc. so I feel like despite the cut, I should go for it but pulling the trigger is hard if I get the offer next week.

shakinros · August 2014

Based on your clarifications, I would do it. Is DH's raise 100% definite? If so, then I'd say go for it. Two more stops on the train is nothing. Pay cut is somewhat offset by benefits increase. And with that much vacation and personal days? Wow. Go through your budget again (what if his raise doesn't happen and you've already started the new job? What then?) and then if it looks doable, I think the potential for a more positive workspace is worth it.

Puppies+Rainbows+Unicorns · August 2014

It sounds like a change would be good for you, but is this the best thing out there? Have you looked around for other openings for awhile? If is so, I would do it, otherwise I would bide my time until I found something that did not require a pay cut.

mommatotwo2 · August 2014

I probably would.

kikimeemee · August 2014

Funny you should present this very scenario! I took a job for $15,000 less to get flexibility/better work-life balance, joy in my work, and better benefits and my performance is one of the highest on my team so I've gotten a bonus and a raise so now I am at that previous employer's salary with more contentment, better benefits, more longevity and so on.

MommaP12 · August 2014

UPDATE!

I went in to meet with the VP last Friday. She was so great, but, but, she wants me for a different, more senior position!!!

So, I met with her, it went great, we both agreed that I would be better for the more senior role which reports to her instead of the other Director I was initiallly interviewing to work for. This new role is a much higher salary!

She asked me what I made and I was honest. Well, they came back and matched my salary yesterday.

I went back asking for 5K more and a slightly later start date. I mean, I was anticipating a cut, and I think they know that given I was going for a lesser role so I'm nervous about having gone back asking for more. But would't they expect that when they offer me my exact salary? They have not yet replied to my request for 5K more that I sent them at 4pm yesterday. I am dying and really wanted to give notice today because my boss is working remotely tomorrow. But I can't do anything but wait at this point.

Want a personalized experience?

Update: Would you do this?

Re: Update: Would you do this?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards