career decision time...the money or the lifestyle?

[taranaki]

I hate my job.Most people say it at some stage or another,but for most of the two years that I have worked for my present employer,I have tackled the job with a mixture of stress,loathing,and depression.So why do I stay?Simple.The money and benefits are well in excess of the average for a semi-skilled position.

I stand at a crossroads this weekend.I have to decide whether to chase the good life,and seriously trim my budget,or swallow the job,and spend the extra cash on lifestyle.



Part of the equation is the fear of the unknown,the risk being that the new employer will be a total ass as well as paying less than I am used to.Another part is the fact that the new job would be far more interesting,more autonymous and definitely more sociable work hours.

I'm currently only actually working for less than 6 hours of my working day...four hours are spent travelling,taking meal breaks and standing around waiting.I get 4 weeks annual leave,time and a half or double time for extra hours worked,the security of a union-negotiated contract,and all of the on-site facilities that you expect from a major 24hour worksite.

The downside is,the work is cold,wet,and dirty,and requires constant lifting.The hours are a killer,rotating shiftwork means that two weeks out of three I see less than I'd like to of my family.There's a lot of data entry, I see no daylight while I am working,and a lot of the people at work are unskilled and undereducated.


The new job involves a greater degree of autonomy,a lot more travel, the opportunity to talk to more people and see nice homes,all during 'normal' working hours.The workload is spread more evenly over the day,and there's more flexibility in how and when tasks get done.Unfortunately,the base salary is thousands lower than my current earnings,and the packaged benefits are less attractive.

In essence,the choice seems to be either to reach for my potential maximum income so that I can support a decent lifestyle in what little leisure time I get,or maximise my leisure time and job satisfaction,and structure my family life around being cautious with the budget.


there's my dilemma.........what would YOU do?

[Jimster]

OK mate..............It is an understandable dilemna you have here- my personal preference would be to chase the lifestyle you are after a more relaxed (maybe) lifestyle- that well no dount aid your (rather venerable) mental state- life will be harsh for maybe a little while- but things will start to pick up after a while and you will probably find yourself earning more and enjoying it- money isn't everything- it is an important resource- but not everyting


My job here in Italy pays quite a bit less than my job in NZ- But I took it because it is more relaxed and more enjoyable- although I am a slightly different basket of fish- as I am asset-rich- and I often live on that

[boingo82]

Go for the lifestyle. If it's possible to live comfortably on the lower income, I believe you'll find much more happiness in that position. Money is valuable, but enjoying your work, and seeing your children is priceless (to use the MasterCard cliche).

Speaking from personal experience, yes, it's nice to have a little extra spending money, but when you don't enjoy the job, you usually will spend evenings and weekends dreading work rather than enjoying the time off. On-the-job stress carries over into our daily lives on a grand scale.

Mr. T, I've always thought you very intelligent, and I don't see how you could bear doing semi-skilled labor. It sounds like much more fun to be out and about, meeting people, seeing things, etc. If you enjoy your job, that will affect your overall outlook dramatically, I think.

I've been offered other, higher-paying positions within the same company, but I've declined them, because I know the stress level would be miserable. A full-time worker spends nearly 1/4 of his time at work...you should be doing something you'll enjoy.

I think that's what you want to hear, and funnily enough, it's what I think you should do.

[tonioseven]

Anything you can do to see more of your children is worth investigating! I has to make that same choice and my older son made that decision for me when he asked my wife "does Daddy still live with us? Why don't we see hum anymore?" Choice made right there!

[taranaki]

well.......the deadline approaches fast,and the queustion still remains.I have afeeling that our seemingly unstoppable financial needs will dictate that I stay where I am.I'd really like to take on the new job,but I have reservations about the company offrering it,and reservations that my home circumstances would decline rather than improve if we were constantly squeezing the money.The fact that the new employer sees government income support handouts as a legitimate way of topping up his employees' wages disturbs me greatly.Even after he knew what my standing rate was, his opening offer was less than 2/3 of my existing base rate,with no penal rates and no benefits.Guess I'll let this one slide by,and keep looking.

[boingo82]

OK, but I think you should jump at the next reasonable offer. Sounds like this one wasn't quite right.

[jon@af]

you need to look at it as which of the choices is best for you and your wife?

[Diesel2NR]

I would stay with the job you have now, mainly for the security. Unions will negotiate their arses off until they get a contract from their employer and still keep all their members. That's my experience at least, which at 17, might not be much. The job pays more too, which is a plus. The offer you were looking at paid less, and I think you said it took twice as long to get to, which means you will pay twice as much in travel cost, cutting your budget even more. Plus, there's no benifits and such to make up for your costs. I think I can understand that you miss your family, but personally, I would want to see them every other week and be able to provide for them than I would have to see them every day without their wants. I don't plan on marriage, but if I do marry and have kids, that's how I'd see myself. Hope you find a better job offer though. Keep searching. I'm sure you'll find something.

[NSX]

I'd say go for the fun...You only live once. You don't want to regret the rest of your life.

[Toksin]

I'm not going to say too much,since you have far more years and experience on me. What I am going to say, is, go with your heart. Do what you want to do, if you want the money, go for the money, if you want to spend time with the family at the risk of less money, do that. Just do what makes you happy.

[YogsVR4]

I'd say go for the job that is more interesting. Short of sleeping, you'll spend more time on your job then anything else in your life. I am about your age and I know I'd go nuts if I didn't like what I was doing. It makes life a lot better to not dread doing something day in and day out.

Sure you run a risk with a new employer, but it can also go the other way as well. They just might be the best person to work for. The devil you know for the devil you don't may give you pause, but where you are at will wear you down to nothing.

[90EX]

I agree with YogsVR4. I am older than you and I can say that enjoying your job is more important than the money, if you can still support your family. Talk to your family, see what they say. Explain how much you hate your current job.

Is there a chance of advancement/more money at that new job?

Good luck.

[90EX]

So, which job did you choose?