WWYD -- need help making a job decision

[MushyMushy]

I need some objective opinions about my job situation. I know in this day and age I’m so lucky to even be working right now and I do appreciate that. I’d just like to hear some WWYDs if you were in my shoes. It may or may not help me make my decision, but talking it through sure would help. Okay, here goes. Keep in mind that my husband is the primary wage earner and we don’t need my salary to survive, but it’s nice to have.

Job A is full time, but temporary until next Sept. I’m an adult instructor for a non-profit organization. I don’t make much money there (I do get paid mileage), but the job is easy and very low-stress. I was offered benefits, but didn’t need them, so turned them down. I talked about this before on here, but I found out that, due to a contract with the union and the special funding we get for the job, I only get 5 paid time off days a year, plus holidays. What really made it bad for me wasn’t the 5 days off, but that I can’t even take days off withOUT pay! I’ll have those days used up by February thanks to a bout of strep throat and taking my son to get his wisdom teeth out & doctors appts for me. My coworkers are AWESOME and I fit in the office like I’ve worked with them forever. My supervisor can be pretty great, but she seems bipolar. When she’s up, she’s really up and happy, but if she walks in without a smile, look out. She’s also extremely inconsistent with how she runs the office. That’s all I can think of for that job.

Job B is as many hours as I want. It’s a mobile therapist/behavioral specialist consultant position with a mental health clinic and I’d be working with kids with behavioral disorders. I make more money there and get hourly paid travel, plus work out of my home. I only have to go to the office every other week to turn in my paperwork. I only have to work 25 hours at Job B to make what I’m earning full time at Job A! The supervisor is very hands off and I have minimal contact with any coworkers. I pretty much set my own schedule (based on clients) and if I need a day off or even a week off, I just shuffle the hours around and it’s not a big deal. It’s a little more risky because, I wonder what happens if we go through a dry spell with clients, although the supervisor assures me we always have need of MORE therapists.

I’d appreciate your thoughts. I think I’m letting my emotions get in the way here, plus my fear of change and major decision making. LOL

 

[Christine]

Job B, hands down. I think the only allure for you with Job A is that you like your coworkers and the work itself is low stress. Those are good things but I think the other stuff would be dealbreakers for me:

1. It's temporary
2. The time off issue is too rigid and constraining. I couldn't do it.

 

[Tink888]

I need some objective opinions about my job situation. I know in this day and age I’m so lucky to even be working right now and I do appreciate that. I’d just like to hear some WWYDs if you were in my shoes. It may or may not help me make my decision, but talking it through sure would help. Okay, here goes. Keep in mind that my husband is the primary wage earner and we don’t need my salary to survive, but it’s nice to have.

Job A is full time, but temporary until next Sept. I’m an adult instructor for a non-profit organization. I don’t make much money there (I do get paid mileage), but the job is easy and very low-stress. I was offered benefits, but didn’t need them, so turned them down. I talked about this before on here, but I found out that, due to a contract with the union and the special funding we get for the job, I only get 5 paid time off days a year, plus holidays. What really made it bad for me wasn’t the 5 days off, but that I can’t even take days off withOUT pay! I’ll have those days used up by February thanks to a bout of strep throat and taking my son to get his wisdom teeth out & doctors appts for me. My coworkers are AWESOME and I fit in the office like I’ve worked with them forever. My supervisor can be pretty great, but she seems bipolar. When she’s up, she’s really up and happy, but if she walks in without a smile, look out. She’s also extremely inconsistent with how she runs the office. That’s all I can think of for that job.

Job B is as many hours as I want. It’s a mobile therapist/behavioral specialist consultant position with a mental health clinic and I’d be working with kids with behavioral disorders. I make more money there and get hourly paid travel, plus work out of my home. I only have to go to the office every other week to turn in my paperwork. I only have to work 25 hours at Job B to make what I’m earning full time at Job A! The supervisor is very hands off and I have minimal contact with any coworkers. I pretty much set my own schedule (based on clients) and if I need a day off or even a week off, I just shuffle the hours around and it’s not a big deal. It’s a little more risky because, I wonder what happens if we go through a dry spell with clients, although the supervisor assures me we always have need of MORE therapists.

I’d appreciate your thoughts. I think I’m letting my emotions get in the way here, plus my fear of change and major decision making. LOL

From what you wrote it sounds a little like you're more inclined toward Job B. I would just make a list of the pros and cons of each and then go with my gut and what works best for you.

It seemed like the only "real" con you found with Job B was job security. The thing to remember about that though is unfortunately, now days, there is no job security no matter where we work. There's no way to know what will happen.

Don't let your fear of change hold you back from anything. Change is ALWAYS scary. But it's ALWAYS good too.

 

[Pamlur]

I agree. Job B

 

[JerseyJanice]

Job B sounds way better in the long run. If you stay with A, come August/September, you'll be looking for another job, and what you find may not be as good as what Job B is offering right now.

As the old cliche goes--a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Disney Doll]

Job B. Less actual work time to make the same $$. A supervisor you don't have to tiptoe around. Work from home. Better vacation/"off" time.

 

[Magic Mom]

Job B sounds like a better choice. I understand your concern about a "dry spell," but that seems unlikely. Job A on the other hand is certain to end in September. So if job security is a priority, then B is the better choice. And while A is low stress, the flexibility of Job B will make it lower stress too.

The only question I have is the work at home part. Some people love working at home, others miss the social aspect of office life. If you don't think that would be an issue, then I say go for Job B. Good luck in your decision!

 

[dakcp2001]

B!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Another vote for Job B. The work sounds more interesting, too.

 

[cats7494]

Vote for Job B - it sounds very interesting!!!

 

[golfgal]

I don't even see it as a choice, B hands down. Wait until you start working with a flexible schedule and you will why you even considered Job A. I am my own boss so I make whatever schedule I want. It is SO nice to say "well the kids have this at school so I am going to that" or "It is really nice today, I am staying home and going golfing". The flip side for my job is that if I am not working, I don't earn money either so that keeps you responsible. In most weeks I can get done what I need to do in 30 hours or so-it's GREAT!!!

 

[Planogirl]

Another vote for Job B. Money aside, everyone needs to be able to take time off.

 

[C.Ann]

Not a question in my mind..

Job B !!!

 

[cocodog]

B

 

[jam217]

Definitely job B

 

[wdwfan16]

Job B

 

[Micca]

Another vote for B.

 

[MOMTOCUTESTDOGEVER]

You're comments about job B made me want to run for the hills. Your description fits a job that my husband took in July 08, and it was terrible. So many of the things you write are exactly what he was promised: all the hours you want, only working a fraction of your current hours to get the same salary, your concern about a dry spell and the reassurance that they always need more therapists, shuffling your schedule around with ease...

The result was him taking a $35k a year pay CUT. His hours were worse than with his full time job because he had to start after 8:00Am and would be driving all over town to his client's offices. The reason they always needed more employees? Because it only took people about 4 months to figure out how bad it was and then they were looking for replacements. They tried to actually overstaff so that when the inevitable exodus came, they still had some employees left.

Now, his profession is in IT, so it could be very different; however, the similarities are there. I would look for job C if I were in your shoes.

 

[Keli]

I'm not even seeing the comparison here, Job B is lightyears above job A.
If it's just fear that's holding you back, I can tell you that there is no shortage of clients for behavioral health issues with children in my area. That is an area that really doesn't seem to have a recession. The only issue would be whether the organization you are going to work for has good funding in place. Assuming they do I'd take the job in a heartbeat if I were you.

 

[disneystacy]

BBBBBBBBBBBBB.....hands down, no question.