Big career decision
Discussion
So my company (company A) took a chance on me 3 years ago in a career change sponsoring my conversion degree (which was paid for by apprentice levy so I don't need to pay back). Since passing my degree I expected to receive a promotion and a jump in pay....got just £2k extra and no promotion......Over the last 12 months I feel have learnt nothing in all honesty despite mentioning this to my manager on two occasions over those months. Also the commute is 1 hour 10 minutes each way.
Annoyed at my recent lack of development and growth I started to reply to messages on LinkedIn about new roles. Had an interview at company (B).....the director and manager I met were fantastic, were really keen...offered me a 25% payrise and a promotion to the position I wanted at company A. The project I will be working on is just 30 minutes each way from home.
Put my notice in to go company B....however the director at company A called me to say they don't want to lose me and have a project that starts in 6-7 months time (planning permission dependent when it will commence) just 15 minutes from home and they will increase my current pay by 20% (so 5% less then company B but works out at just £2-3k a year less then company B are offering).
A dilemma is my wife is pregnant. Company A if I stay I get 4 weeks maternity plus all the holidays I have over (2 weeks extra)...company B I get just 2 weeks maternity leave (and nothing more as won't have holidays to use). Another dilemma is that I'm going to a new company in a step up in grade working with people and processes I don't know instead of company A where the step up will be guided by manager and processes I know. Not to mention I feel I owe company A for giving me a chance in the first place in a new career / industry.
I'm torn tbh as the old saying better the devil you know, the big paternity difference and a sense of owing them for giving me a chance but then the challenge of working with someone else will be beneficial to my development.
Thoughts please on my decision??
Annoyed at my recent lack of development and growth I started to reply to messages on LinkedIn about new roles. Had an interview at company (B).....the director and manager I met were fantastic, were really keen...offered me a 25% payrise and a promotion to the position I wanted at company A. The project I will be working on is just 30 minutes each way from home.
Put my notice in to go company B....however the director at company A called me to say they don't want to lose me and have a project that starts in 6-7 months time (planning permission dependent when it will commence) just 15 minutes from home and they will increase my current pay by 20% (so 5% less then company B but works out at just £2-3k a year less then company B are offering).
A dilemma is my wife is pregnant. Company A if I stay I get 4 weeks maternity plus all the holidays I have over (2 weeks extra)...company B I get just 2 weeks maternity leave (and nothing more as won't have holidays to use). Another dilemma is that I'm going to a new company in a step up in grade working with people and processes I don't know instead of company A where the step up will be guided by manager and processes I know. Not to mention I feel I owe company A for giving me a chance in the first place in a new career / industry.
I'm torn tbh as the old saying better the devil you know, the big paternity difference and a sense of owing them for giving me a chance but then the challenge of working with someone else will be beneficial to my development.
Thoughts please on my decision??
2 weeks paternity leave isn’t much but a factor is having a child dunno how many you have but it turns your life upside down so it could be hard to focus on a new job and give it your best.
You could negotiate ask your current company to match the wage. 5k is nothing to a company if they really want to keep you.
However it’s hard to stay when you’ve handed your notice in imo. For what it’s worth I personally think you should take the new job it’s just the fear of the unknown holding you back.
You could negotiate ask your current company to match the wage. 5k is nothing to a company if they really want to keep you.
However it’s hard to stay when you’ve handed your notice in imo. For what it’s worth I personally think you should take the new job it’s just the fear of the unknown holding you back.
Company A is pulling your chain. It’s funny how this just happens to come about after you’ve interviewed for Company B and handed your notice in. And a project that’s not happening until the new year - presumably you’ll be expected to remain on your current salary and in your current position until this mysterious new project materialises, and oh, what a surprise in the new year: yeah, sorry old chap, we never got the planning permission so you’re staying where you are. But don’t worry, there’s another exciting project on the horizon that we’re waiting to hear on that’d be perfect for you.
B is where your future lies, A are simply stringing you along. Is a fortnight’s paternity leave worth losing six months of 25% more than you’re currently earning, especially given the huge difference in commute times?
B is where your future lies, A are simply stringing you along. Is a fortnight’s paternity leave worth losing six months of 25% more than you’re currently earning, especially given the huge difference in commute times?
So if the planning permission is rejected, you will be sort of floating there? I’d leave. 2 weeks extra paternity leave isn’t worth it for 5% less salary.
Did you ask about pensions? If your current employer is super generous and the new one isn’t, that might be something to consider.
Did you ask about pensions? If your current employer is super generous and the new one isn’t, that might be something to consider.
It's B for me.
How ballsy are you? Ask them to match the 4 weeks paternity leave.
If you stay at A, make it clear it will only be for 35% and if the new project doesn't happen you will leave and want a contractually guaranteed exit bonus equivalent to 6 months salary and benefits.
Company A are taking the piss IMHO.
You'll only get something if you ask for it.
How ballsy are you? Ask them to match the 4 weeks paternity leave.
If you stay at A, make it clear it will only be for 35% and if the new project doesn't happen you will leave and want a contractually guaranteed exit bonus equivalent to 6 months salary and benefits.
Company A are taking the piss IMHO.
You'll only get something if you ask for it.
UpTheIron said:
It's B for me.
How ballsy are you? Ask them to match the 4 weeks paternity leave.
If you stay at A, make it clear it will only be for 35% and if the new project doesn't happen you will leave and want a contractually guaranteed exit bonus equivalent to 6 months salary and benefits.
Company A are taking the piss IMHO.
You'll only get something if you ask for it.
Christ. You're a tough negotiator... but I agree! I was going to post similar but not as demanding. How ballsy are you? Ask them to match the 4 weeks paternity leave.
If you stay at A, make it clear it will only be for 35% and if the new project doesn't happen you will leave and want a contractually guaranteed exit bonus equivalent to 6 months salary and benefits.
Company A are taking the piss IMHO.
You'll only get something if you ask for it.
OPer, the issue with A is that without anything in writing, you can't be guaranteed it's going to happen - and they have a bonus get-out clause with that planning permission angle.
How fluid is the market for your skills? If there are loads of jobs above the offer from A then I’d be more inclined to take a risk.
Staying at A is less risky, if they can’t match the salary at least you have a bit of extra job protection. Are there other things you’d like that’s maybe A could give you but aren’t on the table?
Private health for family
Company car
Longer notice period from the company
Contractual bonus
Alternatively go for B, perhaps A will see your value and welcome you back with open arms when the new project kicks off. If they’re unwilling to pay market rates then it’s unlikely they’ll be able to replace you directly
Staying at A is less risky, if they can’t match the salary at least you have a bit of extra job protection. Are there other things you’d like that’s maybe A could give you but aren’t on the table?
Private health for family
Company car
Longer notice period from the company
Contractual bonus
Alternatively go for B, perhaps A will see your value and welcome you back with open arms when the new project kicks off. If they’re unwilling to pay market rates then it’s unlikely they’ll be able to replace you directly
Company B, all day, every day.
Company A literally don't care about you. They've said it loud and clear, by only offering (some of) what you want, and then only when you're about to leave.
On the plus side, with Company B:
- pay
- commute (especially with baby on the way)
- learning, which you didn't get at Company A
There no guarantees either way. So go with what you've got that's best for you that's right in front of you.
M.
Company A literally don't care about you. They've said it loud and clear, by only offering (some of) what you want, and then only when you're about to leave.
On the plus side, with Company B:
- pay
- commute (especially with baby on the way)
- learning, which you didn't get at Company A
There no guarantees either way. So go with what you've got that's best for you that's right in front of you.
M.
I've done this twice, once I stayed and it was a great decision, and when at another company 10 years later I had the same dilemma and left - again a great decision in hindsight. The reasons why you want to leave are key, you've said distance from home and lack of training/development as main ones.
Sounds to me like Company A still won't offer you the job satisfaction, so unless that is baked in and some form of promotion pathway is open I would say Company B sounds better, but there are lots of other variables such as pension, holiday, culture, etc.
Company B need to offer you better paternity leave, given they know your mrs is pregnant this could be a nice negotiation point, even if its 3 weeks or some form of WFH arrangement for a bit. It's not a big ask.
Sounds to me like Company A still won't offer you the job satisfaction, so unless that is baked in and some form of promotion pathway is open I would say Company B sounds better, but there are lots of other variables such as pension, holiday, culture, etc.
Company B need to offer you better paternity leave, given they know your mrs is pregnant this could be a nice negotiation point, even if its 3 weeks or some form of WFH arrangement for a bit. It's not a big ask.
Make the change.
You have the opportunity to move onwards and upwards so take it.
Your current employer has only been motivated to give you a chance on threat of your departure. This shows their hand and will likely be repeated again in the future.
The maternity and holiday things are not relevant here. You and your wife will work that out. You'd do better by her and your newborn by looking at the long game.
You have the opportunity to move onwards and upwards so take it.
Your current employer has only been motivated to give you a chance on threat of your departure. This shows their hand and will likely be repeated again in the future.
The maternity and holiday things are not relevant here. You and your wife will work that out. You'd do better by her and your newborn by looking at the long game.
Would also take the move to B.
New opportunity to grow and sounds like they value your qualifications/experience.
Not sure if it’s your first child or not, but personally 2 weeks off was enough for me, us blokes are often a bit of a spare part with newborns. Longer term the hour saved in commute time each day by going with B so you can see your little one more in the mornings/evenings every day will be more valuable IMO.
New opportunity to grow and sounds like they value your qualifications/experience.
Not sure if it’s your first child or not, but personally 2 weeks off was enough for me, us blokes are often a bit of a spare part with newborns. Longer term the hour saved in commute time each day by going with B so you can see your little one more in the mornings/evenings every day will be more valuable IMO.
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