Would you take less pay for the ability to be remote?

[Anonymous]

I’m curious what others would do in this situation. I’ve been job hunting after being a SAHP for too many years. After a long and frustrating search, I consider myself very fortunate to have a great opportunity to return to work doing something low stress in a really supportive work environment. And best of all, I can work remotely. The issue is the position pays less than I hoped. The other jobs that I’ve been pursuing pay more but require in office and the work isn’t as interesting (assuming I even get an offer). If it’s helpful, in both scenarios DH would remain the primary earner with an income 4-5x mine. So in the grand scheme of HHI, it won’t make a huge difference in actual dollars after taxes, yet the percentage seems considerable (15%). What would others do?

[Anonymous]

Yes as you need to consider commute time and costs.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely, yes. I don't even have kids. I would take a 15% cut to go from fully in office to fully remote.

There was recently another post about a DH who lost has job and was concerned about taking a "pay cut." Most responses were that it's not a pay cut when you make zero. That's not to shame you at all. I would just try to frame this not as being paid "less" because you are currently not making anything. It is, as you said, a great opportunity to return to work doing something low stress in a really supportive work environment. As you can see from other posts here, many SAHP struggle to break back in. You've found a job that's a really good fit, plus it has the huge perk of being remote.

That's awesome, honestly. With the proportion of HHI you're making, it doesn't make sense to give up the huge flexibility of being remote for a little more money. If your DH out earns you that much, realistically, you will still be expected to be the primary parent and take time for appointments, sick kids, etc.

[Anonymous]

Yes I would. I have turned down jobs that pay more and expect me in an office 4 days a week. Currently I only go in one day a week and it's GLORIOUS.

[Anonymous]

Take it

You can always keep applying for more jobs while working this one

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! My gut has been telling me to go for it. It really checks all my boxes!

[Anonymous]

No brainer.

[Anonymous]

I would take it as well. It might take you months to land a higher paying job that you might not like as much, and that's months of income loss that would take years to make up for at the 15% premium you are talking about. Not to mention all the money and time spent on commuting, office lunches, work clothes etc. And if you have kids/pets, then it is even more of a no brainer!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would love to be fully remote. Life changing.

[Anonymous]

Of course. Remote workers aren’t working.

[Anonymous]

Yes, definitely. $$ aren't the goal for me, quality of life is. And being able to work remotely is a big benefit for me.

[Anonymous]

That's how it's been historically (pre-pandemic). In office employees are paid a premium for commuting costs/time. FWIW, after working remotely for six years, I jumped back to market rate when I was ready to go back to an office.

[Anonymous]

I’ve taken a pay cut for more interesting work so I’d certainly take one for more interesting work that is remote (leaving aside the whole being unemployed thing)

[Anonymous]

No, I’m all about money and prefer hybrid.

[Anonymous]

In a heartbeat.