A nice dilemma

ChrisUK1983 · 18 Nov 2019 at 13:34

Currently in a supervisory position, which is probably 75-80% office based, with the rest being "out on the tools". A decent roster pattern too of mainly 4 day weeks,but a lot of on-call commitment. Current job is a 50 mile roundtrip commute every day.

Was made a formal offer Friday to move backwards onto the tools again full time but keep my current rate of pay. Downside being its a slight step back career wise and has a lot more afters/nights/weekend shifts. Plus points being its the same money (probably a pay rise when you account for the shift premiums and overtime potential) and its 4 mile each way commute. The new hiring manager has given me a commitment in writing that they will fund my final year at University too to complete my BEng, whilst my current manager hasnt given a yes or no.

So, what would you all do? Take a step back for probably more money, more time at home and a hell of a lot less stress and the guarantee of education funding.......Or stay where you are for the job with more "kudos".
I guess my mind is 99% made up already but cant keep feeling like im missing something obvious.

peterwalkley · 18 Nov 2019 at 13:53

Do you enjoy the management part of your current job ? Is it something you want more of ? If so, then stepping back is unwise in the longer term as you would need to step up again down the line. If the management part isn't your thing then more money and shorter commute is surely a no brainer.

ChrisUK1983 · 18 Nov 2019 at 14:19

peterwalkley said:
Do you enjoy the management part of your current job ? Is it something you want more of ? If so, then stepping back is unwise in the longer term as you would need to step up again down the line. If the management part isn't your thing then more money and shorter commute is surely a no brainer.

The people management side of it I despise, the dealing with rostering,team briefings and general crap like that really drags me down. The part I do enjoy is the technical side of it, the industry I work in (railway) was hugely affected by the floods last week and I spent the whole week on site co-ordinating the recovery. Unfortunately that doesnt come around too often, so Im generally stuck in the office planning work,updating rosters and generally being bored to tears.
Guess Ive been in limbo the past few years, initially came off the tools and moved into tech support which turned out to be more of a design based role which didnt challenge me enough, tried the management side hoping for a new lease on life but has ended up being just as bad if not worse. I dont respond too well to being stuck in an office for a lot of my week and all the politics that comes with the environment.

peterwalkley · 18 Nov 2019 at 16:19

No amount of kudos is worth a job you hate and you're only one rung up, so any kudos points are the short side of bog all anyway. I guess worse shifts are your only downside, but likely nothing new to you if you came from that originally.

ChrisUK1983 · 18 Nov 2019 at 17:02

Very true, I dont particularly mind having to work extra weekends, get time off midweek to compensate.

Quartz · 18 Nov 2019 at 17:16

ChrisUK1983 said:
So, what would you all do? Take a step back for probably more money, more time at home and a hell of a lot less stress and the guarantee of education funding.

Move. You'll never get anywhere by sitting still. Sometimes you need to take a step backward to move two steps forward. You'll save a ton of money and time. You'll be funded for your degree. Your current role will still be on your CV. And your current manager's silence speaks volumes. You're not going to be with this employer long term, are you? Once you have your degree the world will be your oyster.

ChrisUK1983 · 18 Nov 2019 at 17:48

Quartz said:
Move. You'll never get anywhere by sitting still. Sometimes you need to take a step backward to move two steps forward. You'll save a ton of money and time. You'll be funded for your degree. Your current role will still be on your CV. And your current manager's silence speaks volumes. You're not going to be with this employer long term, are you? Once you have your degree the world will be your oyster.

It's an internal move, I've worked here close to 19 years since leaving school. Fully plan to spend my whole working life here, the area I specialise in hasn't got much "full time" options other than contracting. Network Rail (who I work for) and Siemens are pretty much the only companies worth looking at.
Plus I have our very good final salary pension to consider which I've paid in to for the last 18 years.
Degree certainly does open some doors further down the line, although on reflection the past few years has certainly given me pause for thought regarding my long term career aspirations.

morbid42 · 18 Nov 2019 at 18:39

I would take the step back.

Annoying that a company will pay you the same/more for a lesser role, shows youre being taken advantage of by current manager, who would probably mention the textbook "havent got the budget". The company does have budget

*edit* plus for not moving: Use company time and money to better yourself by learning at computer

MissChief · 18 Nov 2019 at 18:47

From what you've said it does sound like you've as good as made your mind up. You've listed many things that you dislike about your current role and few you like. And also listed many benefits of taking that step back and that side of things is what you like best. It sounds like you know but are just looking for validation.

If you woke up tomorrow and were told the step back offer had been withdrawn how would you feel? I think you know.

Quartz · 18 Nov 2019 at 22:49

ChrisUK1983 said:
Fully plan to spend my whole working life here, the area I specialise in hasn't got much "full time" options other than contracting. Network Rail (who I work for) and Siemens are pretty much the only companies worth looking at.

Life has a way of getting in the way of plans.

An engineering degree will insure you against layoffs and mean that you can move anywhere.

Whichever way you decide, the very best of luck to you.

ChrisUK1983 · 18 Nov 2019 at 23:44

MissChief said:
From what you've said it does sound like you've as good as made your mind up. You've listed many things that you dislike about your current role and few you like. And also listed many benefits of taking that step back and that side of things is what you like best. It sounds like you know but are just looking for validation.

If you woke up tomorrow and were told the step back offer had been withdrawn how would you feel? I think you know.

I think youve hit the nail on the head, reading back I think that yes I was looking for validation.
Sent the email off just now accepting the new position and spoke to the hiring manager on the phone. Start Monday, pretty excited to get back to doing the things I enjoy.

ChrisUK1983 · 18 Nov 2019 at 23:44

Quartz said:
Life has a way of getting in the way of plans. An engineering degree will insure you against layoffs and mean that you can move anywhere.

Whichever way you decide, the very best of luck to you.

Thankyou

Appreciate the kind words.

dowie · 19 Nov 2019 at 00:44

Deffo do the job you enjoy and get your degree finished... perhaps consider upgrading to an MEng in future too or even an MSc.

ChrisUK1983 · 19 Nov 2019 at 17:21

dowie said:
Deffo do the job you enjoy and get your degree finished... perhaps consider upgrading to an MEng in future too or even an MSc.

Whilst it sounds good, I dont think I could stomach anymore studying once ive finished my BEng. Already difficult juggling a full time job, 2 kids, studying and trying to have a social life

Although it is nice to have a student discount when you're a 36 year old tight Yorkshireman lol