HSmomof2 Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I currently work part-time in a position I don’t like. I mostly work evenings/weekends, so technically the schedule works for homeschooling which is why I’ve stayed at this job. I’ve now had two interviews for another job that is 10 hours/week more than I currently work(20-30 hrs/week), but the entire job is working remotely from home with a very flexible schedule. The downside is that it will be about a 25% pay reduction from what I currently make. However, I would be moving from a completely customer service type job(which I don’t like) to the new one which would be auditing/compliance/claims type of work. I would definitely enjoy the type of work in the new job more. And, I would love the flexibility of working remotely and pretty much setting my own hours. I was referred to this job by a friend and former coworker. My current job will always be totally customer service, and always will be working evenings/weekends. I would develop a new skill set with the new job and be able to get out of customer service. I plan to return to full time work in 3-4 years and still have 20+ years to work. However, I hate change. I worry about all the “what if’s†of the new job not working out, though I have no reason to think it wouldn’t. Would you take the new job even with the decrease in pay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 (edited) Is it a 25% decrease per hour or overall? If per hour, I would probably take it, as the pros of working at home for me would be significant - including cost savings such as not needing to commute or keep up a work wardrobe, always eating at home, much less chance of needing child care, ease of making doctor appointments, being able to accommodate a more flexible schedule for my kids' activities, etc. If it is a 25% decrease after considering the increase in hours, that might be a tougher decision. But I still might opt for at home, because of the quality of life aspect. Another consideration is that your future career might get a better start with the at-home job if it more closely reflects what you like doing. If you don't like customer service, you don't want your resume to be all customer service when you look for a full-time job. Edited March 2, 2018 by SKL 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 (edited) Is it a 25% decrease per hour or overall? If per hour, I would probably take it, as the pros of working at home for me would be significant - including cost savings such as not needing to commute or keep up a work wardrobe, always eating at home, much less chance of needing child care, ease of making doctor appointments, being able to accommodate a more flexible schedule for my kids' activities, etc. If it is a 25% decrease after considering the increase in hours, that might be a tougher decision. But I still might opt for at home, because of the quality of life aspect. Another consideration is that your future career might get a better start with the at-home job if it more closely reflects what you like doing. If you don't like customer service, you don't want your resume to be all customer service when you look for a full-time job. It’s a 25% decrease per hour. So, with working more total hours, the decrease won’t be a lot. I also have concerns that my “current†work experience is all customer service. Before kids and homeschooling is worked in insurance and IT, but that experience is now 15 years old. ETA: current commute time is 30-40 min each day depending on traffic. Edited March 2, 2018 by HSmomof2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 commute time and opportunity for advancement should be considered as well 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 The new position sounds like a better fit. I think you'll find the expense and stress reduction of working from home worth the pay cut. The fact that you like the work better is great long term. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 (edited) I know the feeling. I am still stubbornly working 1 day a week at my old job while acknowledging that I should just take the plunge and quit as it would reduce costs and stress. The new job sometimes seems so risky but I have known the guy for ages and I know he is trustworthy as an employer. Edited March 2, 2018 by kiwik 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I think you should take the new job. It may pay less per hour, but you’ll gain new skills and be able to work from home, while your current job is a dead end for you, because you will always be stuck in customer service, which you don’t like. I know change is hard, but in this case, change sounds like the best thing for you. Good luck, whatever you decide!!! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 It sounds like a better fit long term, so I think I would go with it. That said, how will you feel about never being able to get away from your work? Sometimes, having so much flexibility can be a bad thing if you're not good at managing your time, or if you're not good and setting the paid work out of your mind. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I would take the new job. I worked 20 hours a week from home when ds was a newborn and I loved it I could work at 6 a.m. or midnight. It was awesome. I am, or I was then, fairly well organized. So there is that to consider....but having your weekends and evening free for family is so worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I would take the job to build a skillset and resume experience in a field I wanted to be in if I could afford financially to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 It sounds like a better fit long term, so I think I would go with it. That said, how will you feel about never being able to get away from your work? Sometimes, having so much flexibility can be a bad thing if you're not good at managing your time, or if you're not good and setting the paid work out of your mind. That is definitely something to be mindful of.....I did work remotely as a programmer before kids and loved it. I have a very introverted and analytical personality, so, I think I’ll do well in the new job. My current job is in a public library at the information desk and dealing with the ‘variety’ of people and random questions constantly really wears on me. I will not miss that aspect at all. I’ve learned a lot and stretched myself in my current job, but it’s never been a good fit for my personality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 The couple of times I moved from a job I didn't like into one I did, I would think, "WHY didn't I do this sooner!?" If it's a smallish amount of pay cut (less money per hour, but more hours), then I say that job satisfaction trumps money. I wouldn't say that if the pay cut was going to harm you and your family's ability to survive. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I would take the new job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 The new job sounds like a great fit for your needs! Take it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 You don’t like your current job and taking the new one would eliminate a commute. The reduction in pay is offset by the reduction in commute time/expense. I’d take the new job. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Eliminating the commute is the best thing about DH working from home. One thing to consider...will you ever have meetings? Meetings, ime, really make "set your own hours" less of a reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_JWM Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I would take it. It sounds like a good fit! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 Eliminating the commute is the best thing about DH working from home. One thing to consider...will you ever have meetings? Meetings, ime, really make "set your own hours" less of a reality. There would be occasional meetings to call into, but not every week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I absolutely would take that job. Flexible hour jobs are hard to find, plus working from home.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Sounds like the new job is a better fit. Remember you can deduct your work space from your taxes, but ask an accountant about the particulars because there are always particulars... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I would definitely change. Of course there's a chance it might not work out, but are you going to stay in a job you dislike forever on that chance? Besides, unlikeable jobs in customer service that involve evenings and weekends are not that hard to find, lol. You're not walking down a one-way street. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I hate customer service so I'd definitely go for the new job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 You had me at "entire job is working remotely from home". The saving on gas, eating out etc... pales in comparison to the free labor (drive time) you had been doing. On top of it you don't like the current job. I'd add in the drive time, getting ready to go, etc... to hours worked and see if that doesn't even out the pay a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 I was offered the job and accepted. I have more mixed feelings than I expected. Even though I should like the type of work better, and definitely will enjoy working remotely, the income loss kind of stInks.....more in principle than anything else. When I decided to be a sahm 15 years ago, that cut our income by half. We’re accidental homeschoolers, so I planned to return to work much sooner. I’ve been at the current job that I don’t like for five years and have had promotions and salary increases to where I’m almost back (per hour) to where I was 15 years ago. Though, I will always dislike the job I’m currently doing, and there is nowhere else to go in this setting for me. But, going back $7(per hour) just kind of stings. I need to get over it and focus on the positives and long term.....better type of work, being able to eat dinner as a family, having my weekends back, being able to take dc to extracurriculars, setting my own schedule, no commute, etc..... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 How serious will your family take the new job? In other words, will your dh understand that just because you work from home, you’re still working. So he will have to be on kid patrol during your set work hours. Also, how disciplined and organized are you? Do you have a place where you can work with the door shut? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 How serious will your family take the new job? In other words, will your dh understand that just because you work from home, you’re still working. So he will have to be on kid patrol during your set work hours. Also, how disciplined and organized are you? Do you have a place where you can work with the door shut? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk My family should be fine with it....they’re very happy to have me home evenings/weekends. Dc are 13 and 15, so they can work pretty independently. But, it will be nice to home so they can ask questions if needed (and ds can use a little more oversightðŸ˜). I will be able to set my own schedule, and plan to work early morning hours and should be done for the day by 10-11 am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Take the job you WANT. Life is way too short to spend any part of your life consistently doing a job you really don't like. Stop worrying and start living. That sounds harsher than the tone intended. Honestly, if you have a job offer for a job you KNOW you'll like, take it! Learn from my own past experience and don't regret not taking it later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 Take the job you WANT. Life is way too short to spend any part of your life consistently doing a job you really don't like. Stop worrying and start living. That sounds harsher than the tone intended. Honestly, if you have a job offer for a job you KNOW you'll like, take it! Learn from my own past experience and don't regret not taking it later. You’re right.....I am a super worrier, and while I can’t be certain everything will work out perfectly with the new job, I do know for certain the current job will never be better. The new job is better for the quality of my life for sure. Better type of work, better hours, better for my family, and better for my resume long term. I have accepted it.....I start in 3 weeks. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 LIfe is short. Take the new job you think you will like better. leave your old job on good standing so you can potentially go back if you need to, or at least get a good reference. Zero commute time is very valuable in my book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 After sleeping on it, getting over my PMS, and talking with my friend who has done the same job for the last three years.....I’m feeling much better and optimistic about the new job. I don’t do well with change, but I think this will be a good change.🙂 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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