Job question!

tinalatina
tinalatina Posts: 499 Member
edited December 2024 in Chit-Chat
So I recently been faced with a proposal for a new job. Ive worked with this place before, its an engineering company. But before I was underpaid and overworked as this was when the recession got bad and they were cutting people and everyones pay. It was stressful times. So I left that place for a job closer to home that paid less but I was less stressed.

So yesterday the Engineering firm called asking me to come back. That they were financially stable now and needed me. I told them I would come back under certain stipulations and they said they would get back to me after the owners talked about it.

The stipulations were:

More Pay
Toll pass for EZ-Tag under companies bill
and I needed to get off at 4 everyday to pick up my daughter from school.

So my question is:

Would you stay in the less paid job that closer to home 90% women
or

Take the job even though its 20 minutes farther away but Pays more and 90% Men

Replies

  • beduffbrickie
    beduffbrickie Posts: 642 Member
    god no stay where you are, the grass is not always greener believe me. if your happy because thats all that matters then stay where you are.
  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    If I were happy in my current job, I'd stay. Money is nothing without happiness, and I'd prefer limited stress over a huge payrise.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Take the money.
    They may respect you more now and 20 minutes isn't much time.
    The 90% men or women issue shouldn't come into play as long as the work is good.
  • PapaverSomniferum
    PapaverSomniferum Posts: 2,670 Member
    I chose a lower paying job over a much more demanding, but closer to what I went to school for job. I chose the lower paying job because it's low-stress (as in, almost 0 stress, ever), and only a mile away from my house and from my daughters' school.

    I am thankful I made the decision. I could have been making a third again as much as I do now, but as it is I am always relaxed and have plenty of time with my family.

    Less stress is worth less money, in my opinion.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    Being close to home says a lot, more so with gas prices going up like crazy.


    Being happier says even more, if you're happy now, then stay. Do you really want to commute almost an hour everyday? Will you really be making that much more money?

    Will you really be happier???
  • jenlarz
    jenlarz Posts: 813 Member
    If you really need the money by all means take it IF they grant your stipulations. Otherwise I would prefer the lower stress, closer to home job. :)
  • SofaKingRad
    SofaKingRad Posts: 1,592 Member
    It really depends on what things were like at your old company, aside from what percentage of employees have a penis or not. If the conditions were good, it was a nice working environemnt pre-economy collapse, and you were happy there why not take the job with more pay where you could be happy? If things weren't that great and they couldn't make you satisfied, then obviously the better fit for you is the current company you work at.

    I work for an engineering firm and we had to let people go during the economy as well. It was tough because we lost good people we didn't want to. It wasn't a layoff due to poor performance, but someone had to go for the company to continue surviving.
  • darrell62
    darrell62 Posts: 40
    Not sure what the ratio of men or women has to do with the job?

    More money is more money, twenty mins is not that much more of a drive, unless its bumper to bumper.

    Depending on your degree, chem, mech, elec, engineers are always in demand. manufacturring is still recovering from the down turn so more jobs will come back around in the future.

    Which place has the best opportunity for personal growth?
  • Flippiefloppies
    Flippiefloppies Posts: 319
    I'd say if you are at a job that you enjoy. Keep it. There is nothing like enjoying your job. Money doesn't buy happiness. I just left a job I loved for more pay.. worst mistake ever.
  • tinalatina
    tinalatina Posts: 499 Member
    I chose a lower paying job over a much more demanding, but closer to what I went to school for job. I chose the lower paying job because it's low-stress (as in, almost 0 stress, ever), and only a mile away from my house and from my daughters' school.

    I am thankful I made the decision. I could have been making a third again as much as I do now, but as it is I am always relaxed and have plenty of time with my family.

    Less stress is worth less money, in my opinion.

    I think 90% of the stress when I was there was me being pissed that they cut everyones pay and the fear of them cutting my job next. They were understanding and knew that I left because I needed something more stable. I was happy here at first. Working with majority women has its ups and downs. But lately I feel like its been DRAMA everyday!

    The Engineering firm told me they are financially stable now and that they want me to run my department which means that I wouldnt have to worry about reporting to others.

    Still Torn!!!
  • Eleisabelle
    Eleisabelle Posts: 365
    I chose a lower paying job over a much more demanding, but closer to what I went to school for job. I chose the lower paying job because it's low-stress (as in, almost 0 stress, ever), and only a mile away from my house and from my daughters' school.

    I am thankful I made the decision. I could have been making a third again as much as I do now, but as it is I am always relaxed and have plenty of time with my family.

    Less stress is worth less money, in my opinion.

    ^^^ This. Less stress and more time for my personal life, easy choice for me. More stress and less time for what I love, no thank you.
  • EMagineBeingEMazing
    EMagineBeingEMazing Posts: 76
    I was an HR Manager for 10+ years and was laid off in 2008 (also when the economy crashed). I was out of work for 18 months and finally HAD to take a job as a Secretary (back at the bottom) for near half my previous pay. BUT I LOVE IT!!!! I forgot what it was like to clock out and not even THINK about work till the next day. You know I just took vacation - my phone didn't ring/text/NOTHING the entire time! And my day is finished in time to get my daughter from school and spend the whole evening together - so worth less money. Do we do more on less? Sure, more WALKS, less McDonald's! and it's so worth it! :)
    SO - if it's only for money, and currently you are able to live comfortably, then I say stay where you are. Plus I HATE commuting - especially in Houston! :(
  • tinalatina
    tinalatina Posts: 499 Member
    Not sure what the ratio of men or women has to do with the job?

    More money is more money, twenty mins is not that much more of a drive, unless its bumper to bumper.

    Depending on your degree, chem, mech, elec, engineers are always in demand. manufacturring is still recovering from the down turn so more jobs will come back around in the future.

    Which place has the best opportunity for personal growth?

    The ratio has to do with the fact that there is a difference in terms of atmosphere.

    With Men - no one is my business, cares what I wear and they dont comment or praise you all the time.

    With women - They are more sensitive if you have a personal dilema, they are always in my business, more gossipping and office chit chat, more office functions like luncheons etc.
  • EMagineBeingEMazing
    EMagineBeingEMazing Posts: 76
    Not sure what the ratio of men or women has to do with the job?

    More money is more money, twenty mins is not that much more of a drive, unless its bumper to bumper.

    Depending on your degree, chem, mech, elec, engineers are always in demand. manufacturring is still recovering from the down turn so more jobs will come back around in the future.

    Which place has the best opportunity for personal growth?


    The ratio has to do with the fact that there is a difference in terms of atmosphere.

    With Men - no one is my business, cares what I wear and they dont comment or praise you all the time.

    With women - They are more sensitive if you have a personal dilema, they are always in my business, more gossipping and office chit chat, more office functions like luncheons etc.

    ^^ totally get that! much prefer working/dealing/socialing with men - LESS drama!
  • tinalatina
    tinalatina Posts: 499 Member
    I was an HR Manager for 10+ years and was laid off in 2008 (also when the economy crashed). I was out of work for 18 months and finally HAD to take a job as a Secretary (back at the bottom) for near half my previous pay. BUT I LOVE IT!!!! I forgot what it was like to clock out and not even THINK about work till the next day. You know I just took vacation - my phone didn't ring/text/NOTHING the entire time! And my day is finished in time to get my daughter from school and spend the whole evening together - so worth less money. Do we do more on less? Sure, more WALKS, less McDonald's! and it's so worth it! :)
    SO - if it's only for money, and currently you are able to live comfortably, then I say stay where you are. Plus I HATE commuting - especially in Houston! :(

    This is exactly how I felt at first.... But if they give me the toll pass my commute wouldnt be as grueling as you think. I would take westpark. Plus they would let me leave at 4 everyday in time to beat traffic so Id be home in less if not the same time.

    I do need the money, who doesnt these day? Im not going to lie....But as far as career advacement I think i can get more from the engineering firm(Survey Manager) than a office receptionist (is what Im doing now) I dont see growth...but it is easy = no stress except for the drama between all the other women.
  • mustanggirl_2011
    mustanggirl_2011 Posts: 116 Member
    It sounds like you would have more responsibility if you have others reporting to you. That could also turn into you having to work later some days rather than getting out at 4 every day. But on the plus side more moolah would be nice I'm sure. That is a tough decision, what does your man think?
  • MamaKeeks
    MamaKeeks Posts: 234
    What would your daughter want you to do?

    Go with your gut.... trust yourself!

    xo
  • littlesis412
    littlesis412 Posts: 314 Member
    Toss a coin in the air. Assign a job to either side. While it's in the air, you'll know which side you're wanting it to land on. You've already made your decision.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    Toss a coin in the air. Assign a job to either side. While it's in the air, you'll know which side you're wanting it to land on. You've already made your decision.

    I love this. I will now be making all my life decisions in this manner.
  • dimplez711
    dimplez711 Posts: 88
    I went through a very similar situation.

    I worked as a temp in accounts payable for a large brokerage firm. They would lead me on with the promise that I would get hired on at some point, with full benefits package. When it didn't happen after a year, I decided it wasn't meant to be at the time.

    To make money and have a flexible schedule for school, I got a job at a home improvement store about 20 mins from where I live. I loved working with different team mates every day, and the holiday rushes made the days fly by. But working customer service was VERY stressful, and even after getting a promotion, I found I was very burned out.

    About a year later, the manager I worked with at the brokerage firm reached out to me again. She said that they really liked my work, and they couldn't find anyone as dedicated (or maybe crazy) to replace me. She asked me to come back, with the offer of better pay and benefits.

    This happened in 2006. I accepted the offer, and have been with the company ever since. There have been ups and downs, but honestly I feel my future is more stable with this company.

    I hope you're able to find the solution that will work best for your living situation.
  • Thesoundofwolf
    Thesoundofwolf Posts: 378 Member
    Go where you feel the happiest. If you feel happier working with female company, then stick with that. If male company is where you bloom, then go there. Think of yourself first, then everything else second.

    Because lets say you did want to take the long distance job- and there was a case where you could not get off at 4. Maybe you love the job? Could always find a trusted friend/family member to help out on days you get caught up.

    Or lets say you like the flexibility of the home one, then that allows more planning and easier time to calculate things like budgeting that would make up the difference in cost-to-pay output to be honest.
  • iam_thatdude
    iam_thatdude Posts: 1,266 Member
    I think it depends on how MUCH money....what type of bump (on a rate basis) are you talking about? To me it would have to be a minimum of 10% to make me do it.
  • lorenzoinlr
    lorenzoinlr Posts: 338 Member
    Seems like it would need to be a whole lot more pay for it to make sense given the extra time demands and stress, particularly given you have child responsibilities. But it's nice to have options and perhaps either would work.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories