Work dilemma

[Fox in the North]

Currently I have a fairly decent job as an account manager at an insurance broker which specialises in social clubs. I have been at the broker for just over 3 and a half years. They have been good to me. They have trained me up from scratch and given me reaosnable

increases. Only just recently they agreed to consolidate my hours and change my hours from Monday-Friday 9-5 to Tuesday-Friday 8-5/5:30 as I am fosterering my nephew (baby boy 9 months old) and me and my partner cannot afford the extra childcare costs (can just about afford 2 days a week). Throughout the entire process this year (which has been quite stressful for me and my family), work have been very supportive.

 

I have recently received a job offer from another broker. I was not looking for work but still received a message from the company on LinkedIn. Out of curiosity I accepted an interview to see what the job was all about. The role is still an account manager role but covers a wider range of businesses with future development potential and they have offered  continued education course. The wage is higher by about £3,000 but they are not as flexible with working hours and so would have to pay for an extra day of childcare. An annual bonus of £500 to £2,000 is also provided.

 

I’m incredibly torn between a job that I am

comfortable with and an interesting different role that probably has more potential in the long run. I am also torn as my current work have done a lot to help me with my personal situation. I’m not unhappy with my current role but the new offer is tempting.  I am not sure if I stay in my current role that I’ll be able to progress and if I’ll start to get bored from operating in a niche business. 

 

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Would be very grateful for any advice as I am struggling to see a clear winner for pro’s and cons. Am I being to kind about my current work? 

[Izzy]

Experienced this a few times over the years @Fox in the North.

 

What does your gut instinct tell you to do?

[Raj]

If you enjoy your current workplace,have no issues there and they've  have been good to you,why move?

It ain't ALL about the money believe me!!!!

Edited 19 November 2018 by Raj

[StanSP]

Seems like the basis of your decision revolves around childcare.

 

Does your partner work? Would they be comfortable with you going back to working the longer hours at the new company and using the extra earnings on childcare (i.e. is it enough of a pay increase to use on childcare costs?)

 

It seems like your work would be reasonable given how supportive they've been so far. I guess if you spoke to them about the offer the new company is giving with all the added bonuses/extras (education), could they offer you the same? Have you spoken to them? 

 

I can understand the dilemma - do you leave a place that has given you so much help in order to better yourself? Or do you repay the faith current company has shown you for a bit longer?

[Wolfox]

Tuesday to Friday is a sweet gig…. I wouldn’t give that up for £3k

[Uncle Phil]

Tough decision but working for people that are prepared to look after you is worth a lot. 

[StanSP]

3 minutes ago, Raj said:

If you enjoy your current workplace,have no issues there and they've  have been good to you,why move?

It ain't ALL about the money believe me!!!!

Correct, it's not. But he's also mentioned they offer a contined education course. Perhaps his current workplace doesn't do that...

[Russell sprout]

Explain your situation to your current employer,

that only out of curiosity you went for the interview and have been offered another job,

the fact they work round you they clearly hold you in high regard and don’t want to lose you,

so may well offer you a pay rise to convince you to stay,

i wish I had your problem

Edited 19 November 2018 by Russell sprout

[SystonFox]

Stay

[RODNEY FERNIO]

33 minutes ago, Russell sprout said:

Explain your situation to your current employer,

that only out of curiosity you went for the interview and have been offered another job,

the fact they work round you they clearly hold you in high regard and don’t want to lose you,

so may well offer you a pay rise to convince you to stay,

i wish I had your problem

This …….. good post

[stripeyfox]

It's a pay rise but not a huge amount. You're reasonably happy in your current role so I'd stay but when your appraisal comes up, you can mention you had an offer and see if you can negotiate a decent rise with your current employer

 

[yorkie1999]

Ask the other company to email you their offer as you would like to digest it properly. Give them your works email, then respectfully decline the offer also stating you feel your loyalties are to your current employers. 

 There’s always someone monitoring emails..

[Fox in the North]

42 minutes ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

Experienced this a few times over the years @Fox in the North.

 

What does your gut instinct tell you to do?

 

Current instinct is to take the new role for the future benefit it could have, but I’m far too nice for my own good and I feel guilty/awkward for all the effort my current lot have committed. 

 

37 minutes ago, Raj said:

If you enjoy your current workplace,have no issues there and they've  have been good to you,why move?

It ain't ALL about the money believe me!!!!

Very true Raj, just suppose I’m trying to be open about future possibilities. 

 

36 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Seems like the basis of your decision revolves around childcare.

 

Does your partner work? Would they be comfortable with you going back to working the longer hours at the new company and using the extra earnings on childcare (i.e. is it enough of a pay increase to use on childcare costs?)

 

It seems like your work would be reasonable given how supportive they've been so far. I guess if you spoke to them about the offer the new company is giving with all the added bonuses/extras (education), could they offer you the same? Have you spoken to them? 

 

I can understand the dilemma - do you leave a place that has given you so much help in order to better yourself? Or do you repay the faith current company has shown you for a bit longer?

 

Cheers Stan, yes she does work. She’s given up 2 days so she can care for him. She doesn’t mind me going back to full hours as she believes it would be better for my personal career progression.

 

I haven’t spoken to my current work yet as I’m debating in my mind the best way to go about approaching them.

 

Exactly, it’s very good dilemma, but still a very tough decision! 

 

36 minutes ago, Wolfox said:

Tuesday to Friday is a sweet gig…. I wouldn’t give that up for £3k

Yeah they’ve been great in agreeing that. The fact I’ve only just started the new week makes it quiet difficult.

 

34 minutes ago, Uncle Phil said:

Tough decision but working for people that are prepared to look after you is worth a lot. 

Yes, it’s a great problem to have and that’s what makes it fairly hard. Wish they’d been more awkward as it could be easier.

 

33 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Correct, it's not. But he's also mentioned they offer a contined education course. Perhaps his current workplace doesn't do that...

They offer it, but not to the level/quality that the new company offers.

 

22 minutes ago, Russell sprout said:

Explain your situation to your current employer,

that only out of curiosity you went for the interview and have been offered another job,

the fact they work round you they clearly hold you in high regard and don’t want to lose you,

so may well offer you a pay rise to convince you to stay,

i wish I had your problem

I know, it’s a wonderful problem isn’t it. Cheers for the advice mate. 

[VLC86]

Sometimes time and the hours are worth way more than a pay rise although that’s easy for me to say with no kids to care for.

 

If you aren’t happy with your current role could you have a conversation with your employer to ask if any further opportunities are likely to come up for you? Explain again that you are about to care for a young child and money is important to you and they may surprise you and offer you the best of both worlds.

 

Good luck.

[Izzy]

1 minute ago, Fox in the North said:

 

Current instinct is to take the new role for the future benefit it could have, but I’m far too nice for my own good and I feel guilty/awkward for all the effort my current lot have committed. 

 

You can take all the advice in the world mate but deep down only you really know what's best for you and your family. 

 

I'm sure you'll soon get over the guilt if you left. No ones irreplaceable so they might be a bit pissed initially but I'm sure their business will survive without you  

 

Best of luck 

[Bellend Sebastian]

At the risk of sounding overly negative, always think twice about leaving a job where you don't actively hate your colleagues

[Max Wall]

1 minute ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

At the risk of sounding overly negative, always think twice about leaving a job where you don't actively hate your colleagues

That is genuinely great advice. Made me laugh too,

[fuchsntf]

I always looked at the various companies future,with mine in different stages...

Me and the company in 2yrs, 5yrs...10yrs.

How steady is that company,and are they established,and solid in employment,that you can see yourself and the firm

are still viable up to and through to those years.

 

How confident are you...to believe in yourself,and to believe in the company,then the employment..

I worked all over the World,and the last years ,in stock Exchanges...I have witnessed established confident firms fall,or change policies.

Nothing is forever...You plan your path in the working world and not a companys. Your answerability is first to yourself,so that you can

Form your family,through its present and future paths,using work as the vehicle.

You will find good and bad bosses,and companies,who are well ran,but can't control their own paths of future...

 

None of us really know or understand your situation,we are not connected with you innerself,advice can be comparable, compatable,and contrary.

It's easy for me,cos I took always the contradictory descisions....some worked,most were decided by lives,twists and turns...

 

 

"Look into my eyes"......!!!!      1st the kid grows up,quickly,so the  now for him/her means nothing .don't dare use the baby as an excuse!!!

 In 2-8 yrs your priorities will be different

don't play your hand for the  now...or for ten years time, but for the near future ,and how you yourself see it...

Do you want a comfort zone,  or play in the game of life, both sides have their pros and contras then I ask you...What do you want??

Sorry let me say that again...What do you really want,and what do you want of yourself to put on the family table,then on the job table.

How do you,!  advise your customer or company,on internal external needs..

 

Every bit of advice,will be snippets of how another person would decide because of their own experiences,there is no comparison of relevence.

But understand also this....life is being kind,it's cropped up to give you a choice,some don't or never have had a choice!!!

You will make the descision, a wise one,an OK one,or a frustrating one...

Something hard, but you play the numbers(accountant)...play 'em!!! Manage 'em!! Then trust and believe them..no questions.

[stripeyfox]

42 minutes ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

At the risk of sounding overly negative, always think twice about leaving a job where you don't actively hate your colleagues

Ha ha! This resonates with me. One of the girls in the office came round the other day asking if I was going on the Christmas do. Has to convert "not in a million fcking years would I want to go out with you bunch of twats" into "sorry I'd love to but I already have plans" before my mouth got into gear!|

[Captain...]

It’s tough one to advise without knowing more about you, your personality, your ambitions, your age, your support network etc 

 

If I were in your position I would talk to the prospective new employer and explain the situation and say in a year to 18 months time you would love to accept the job but in the short term you have to put family first and stay where you are. If they are good people they will understand and get in touch later down the line. If they are not good people you don’t want to work for them. They might even offer an equivalent package.

 

By the sounds of it the next year is going to be full of challenges and having an understanding employer who is willing to be flexible will be invaluable to you and your family.

 

The other thing to consider is in these uncertain times you have employee rights where you are, when you join a new company you start on probation and shit like Brexit could have consequences that mean they need to get rid of staff and you will be first to go.

[ozleicester]

You owe your employer NOTHING,

 

You have worked hard and been successful - they have paid you for your work.

You have abided their rules and they have now changed them.

 

As evidenced by their decision to change your hours to suit themsleves, you can NOT rely on them to look after you, you are disposable and  only valued while they get what they want from you.

 

Make a decision that suits YOUR needs. 

[Rob1742]

11 hours ago, Russell sprout said:

Explain your situation to your current employer,

that only out of curiosity you went for the interview and have been offered another job,

the fact they work round you they clearly hold you in high regard and don’t want to lose you,

so may well offer you a pay rise to convince you to stay,

i wish I had your problem

Might not be a good idea. Dependent on the person involved who you would speak to.

They might get the hump. 

[Abs-Fox]

3k won’t be that much after tax , If you’ve worked hard on adoption and are covered for childcare and have the correct hours to work that will help then don’t even think about moving now. All the hard work and stress of adoption will be worse if you will be given more problems. Stay where you are for now and focus on what you have been working towards , Giving a child a safe home and a family. As i said 3k won’t be much more than what you earn now and it’s not as important as children. You appear to be good at what you do , opportunities will come in the future. Good luck whatever you do. (37yr old farther of 2 kids aged 2 & 8)

[Rob1742]

It’s what is called a golden problem. Just think over the next day or so how lucky you are. Golden problems are ace. 

[kingcarr21]

I don't think its a tough decision at all. Stay where u are. Your current situation seems to be as stable as possible regarding your employer being supportive in your personal life. With a 9 month old you need to think about the here and now. Your extra £3k wont go very far once you have to pay for extra childcare. Over the course of the year you wont even notice that extra money, it wont even feel like extra money as you will be working on Mondays also.

 

Sebastian raised a good point, if you don't currently hate your colleagues then that's a big positive. I would worry with moving to a new job and the people you work with are knobs.

 

As an account manager there will be plenty of other opportunities to move on. I wouldn't worry too much about the progression side of things just yet. If it was me I would stay where I was for the time being then look into possibly moving for more money when your child is in nursery.

 

I left a £60k+ job for my current job of £36k. I was working 80 hours a week away from home and only seeing my family 2 days a MONTH. So my £60k was through overtime as I worked 26 days on and 2 days off before doing another 26 day stint.

 

Now I earn a lot less money but I am much happier now I am home everyday, I also work from home whenever I want so I have gone from 1 extreme to the other.

 

What I am saying is don't let your decision be based on more money. Your happiness and family come first. You don't want to bring on further stresses if you can help it. Moving jobs sounds like it will cause more stress to yourself for what I see as very little gain financially. All employers say they will aid your progression but will they really? They will see you leave your current job for them so what's to say you wouldn't do the same thing to them. I would take there offer of progression with a pinch of salt tbh.

 

I'm waffling on now.