Would you switch jobs for the same pay (and give up working from home)?

[Anonymous]

Hi, all.

First, I want to say that I know I'm incredibly lucky to have a job and the opportunity for a new job. That is not lost on me. But I'm having a hard time deciding whether I really want the new job, which pays just slightly more than what I make now (even after negotiating).

In my current job, I know the work and do it well. I work from home, which is a HUGE plus to me (mom to two young kids). But there's no room for advancement. I'm not looking to have some big title and manage a bunch of people, but I do want to feel like I'm growing and progressing.

In the new job, I'd be working in an office (though people there generally work from home typically one day a week). I'd be learning new skills, with a phenomenal team. And there is potential for moving up in the organization, which is attractive.

Given that the pay/compensation is so similar, I guess it boils down to the lure of working from home versus the possibility of career advancement.

Who among you has faced this decision? Please share your thoughts!

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

What work schedule would you have? How old are your children?

[Anonymous]

I have, and so far I'm hanging on to my work at home job. The costs of working in an office and the logistics of after school care don't make it worth it to hange. My kids are in middle school so it's not like I can send them to daycare, but I don't want them to be alone for several hours, day after day. The opportunities for troublemaking are endless.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely take the new job - career advancement is a huge, long-term bonus. Plus, you might really like going to an office and meeting new people...

I wouldn't think twice. Take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What work schedule would you have? How old are your children?

These are major considerations. Also, what would your commute be?

[Anonymous]

Please take the new job and then share with me the info for your old job so I can take your place. Mom of toddler here looking for a work from home job.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- I have two kids. One is 3 and is in full-day daycare. The other is 6 and is in first grade, plus aftercare.

The work schedule isn't bad for D.C. -- 40 to 50 hours a week, roughly 9 to 6 Monday - Friday, with the understanding that some work will have to happen at night and on weekends (but not much). That's pretty much the same as the job I have now.

I live in D.C., so if I take this new job my commute would only be four Metro stops -- maybe 30 minutes when you add the walking time.

[Anonymous]

I cannot fault you for looking to learn new skills and advancing in your career OP. But I think this is a very personal decision. What is the opportunity cost of sticking to work from home job for the next few years? I took a huge pay cut so that I can have flex time and essentially work from home job. Sometimes I want to cry thinking about the pay cut but my children are quite young and I get a lot of time with them even though they go to day care when I am working.


I would vote for sticking with your current job but if you really want the challenging job, give a good thought about all the logistics and also household chores, any additional child care and the time you will have with them. If you are happy with it, go for it. While I could not hack it and mommy tracked myself, I always cheer for women who seem to manage it all. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

No. I would never give up my work-from-home gig. NEVER.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- I have two kids. One is 3 and is in full-day daycare. The other is 6 and is in first grade, plus aftercare.

The work schedule isn't bad for D.C. -- 40 to 50 hours a week, roughly 9 to 6 Monday - Friday, with the understanding that some work will have to happen at night and on weekends (but not much). That's pretty much the same as the job I have now.

I live in D.C., so if I take this new job my commute would only be four Metro stops -- maybe 30 minutes when you add the walking time.

Sounds like a nightmare schedule. I absolutely would NOT take it. Getting home at 6:30PM every night? No thanks. If you were able to work a schedule to go in earlier and leave by say 3-4PM, I'd say go for it. But as it stands now, that schedule is pretty sucky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I would never give up my work-from-home gig. NEVER.

+1000. Make a list of all the things you are able to get done at home while you are working. All of those tasks will now fall to the weekend. For me, it's things like

--throwing in a load of laundry
--emptying the dishwasher
--preparing dinner before the kids come home
--running to the grocery store at lunch
--not having to take a shower until after I've dropped the kids off at school
--being home to meet the plumber, cable, painter, etc

It would have to be one hell of a job for me to give up what I have now. And from the what do you know salary thread, I've learned that I'm about $30K underpaid....you know what....I work from home. I don't care that I'm underpaid.

[Anonymous]

To me working from home is a huge bene.

[Anonymous]

Don't give it up. Working from home is a HUGE benefit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't give it up. Working from home is a HUGE benefit!

+1

OP, what do you do and what company do you work for? I would love a WAH job.

[Anonymous]

Hey OP, I had a great WAH job (PT) as well and periodically management would check in to see when I wanted to ramp up. I had previously been a star performer and was the only one to negotiate a deal like this. Eventually my job was "eliminated." Just be careful PP, the new job sounds great - but why not negotiate leaving at 3 or 4 and working from home those last few hours or just working an 80% schedule -might be better. I know for a fact the women who were in the office were very jealous of my nice deal and their bellyaching helped derail it. Food for thought.