Folks, I am looking for some insight and was hoping I can draw from some of your valuable experience...

Anyway, about 6-months ago, I took a promotion at a new consulting firm that requires almost no travel. It’s in DT LA which is a relatively easy commute for me. The work was challenging at first (dealing with financial problems related to distressed commercial properties), but I’m now getting the hang of it and actually enjoying it. My back ground is finance and prior to that I was an auditor for financial institutions, which required quite a bit of travel.

The current job has some perks, such as minimal travel, eventual telework (up to 3 days from home) and generally nice people. However, I do miss some aspects of my prior work, mostly because I enjoyed the change in pace, and the responsibility (I had seniority).

The dilemma I have now is that my prior employer has an opening, and they really want me back. My current employer is going through some minor cost cutting, so there is a slight reduction in my pay (bringing me in line with my last job); however, my boss assures me they will not let me go.

My prior employer has slightly better benefits (they pay more towards 401k matching and employer contributed health insurance premiums), but they cannot give me a pay raise at this time; however, I can promote relatively easily if there is an opening.

If I was to go back, I would be making exactly the same pay that I’m making at my new job (due to their cost cutting) but a little more 401k contributions. From a personal development aspect, the banking finance sector offers a lot more potential (and I would be more marketable in the future). However, I feel terrible about the people at my current employer, as they have tried very hard to make me feel welcome, and they always go above and beyond to help me with new assignments. In fact, I learned after that they turned down more qualified candidates to specifically hire me. Also, the banking finance sector can get very stressful and cut throat at times, while my current job is relatively low stress. However, the stress did not really impact me, as I was always able to meet my deadlines.

So in summary, I don’t really know what to do at this point…

Thanks for any insight.

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"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"

I normally would not even weigh in on a thread involving a tough personal decision, but in this case I may have experience that might help in your thinking process.

I do not know your age or your family situation. I was in on the ground floor of an exciting up and coming technology. I had great opportunities and went very high in compensation and ranking before it started coming back down. I loved the industry and kept hanging on taking lower and lower jobs and hung on as long as I could before it totally disappeared, because I loved it.

Financially it served me very well and I thoroughly enjoyed the different positions that I held in all areas. There was, however, a good bit of stress that I dealt with. I am now at the very tail end of my career and I am in about the lowest stress, most easily accomplished professional job I've ever had. I work for a TOP NOTCH company that has done wonderful things for their employees. I am able to walk out the door in the evening and carry NO worries whatsoever with me. Quite a difference from the peak days of my career.

I guess where I'm going with this is that if I were to do it over again, I would be EXTREMELY selective of the industry that I worked in, trying to find a stable one. In this day and time, maybe there is no such thing. Much of my stress was related to worrying about keeping the company pumping so that myself and others could have jobs, even when it was a near impossible task.

I would not recommend an entire career of stressful positions to anyone, especially someone in the mid point or earlier in their career. If you have a family, they come first. I have always believed that, but I could have done better for them if I had not been traveling.

For me, it's all about balance. I have it now, but did not have everything balanced when the kids were at home. Luckily, my lovely wife did a great job keeping it altogether, so I haven't had to bail my kids out of jail or put them in drug rehab.

I am impressed with your loyalty for your current employer. For a person with character, it's tough to walk away from someone who has been loyal to you. Also don't forget the VALUE of having an employer that is loyal to you and thinks enough to try to accommodate you. That seems to be a very old fashioned way of thinking, but to me at least, EXTREMELY admirable and valuable. Be careful though, and don't put so much value in your loyalty that you don't look out for yourself.

This is a tough decision for you, and I wish I could somehow offer help with it. What I would suggest though is try to look as far down the line as you can. No one has a crystal ball, but try to keep in mind the long term as best you can.

I know this was nothing more than a ramble of thoughts, but I hope that somehow it helps.

Best of luck with your decision and keep us posted.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

If they are about the same in salary then for me the decision would come down to.

1) Personal satisfaction.
2) Job Security.
3) Image on the resume.

The only thing I would worry about is whether returning to your former employer would be seen as jumping from one job to another. It would make you look a bit of an investment risk if you ever went on to another future employer. I'd say it was a good move if you could guarantee the security of your position at your prior employer.

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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat

I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes!


1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k
1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered
1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold]

What is your age?

Are either of these two entities Government employers?

Do either of these two entities do work resultant from Government contracts?

Which entity has the best chance of longevity?

Which entity has the best chance of making more money (in total, including your 401K) over time?

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Here is some Simple Advice from a Simple man. Choose the job that you would be HAPPIEST AND CONTENT AT. Money isn't everything.

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For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

I'm 35, married, no kids yet...current employer relies heavily upon gov't contracts as we deal with quite a lot of gov't insured projects. The previous firm is independent; they are however subject to issues within the banking industry.

I think they both have a decent chance of survival in the long run; however, as my current employer relies heavily on gov't contracts, they will likely bear the brunt of the budgetary issues resulting in prolonged pay freeze/uncertainty.

The big motivation to leave prior employer was to get off travel and be home as we're hoping to start a family. However, if I was there and had a family, they would likely work around my schedule, so travel would be manageable (although there is no guarantee about this, as we go where the work is). I really made this move for my wife; she is fine with whatever I decide as the pay cut blind sided me, and now this new opportunity has presented itself.

Thanks for the input folks...keep it coming!

Skid Row Joe: I think my previous employer presents the best opportunity to make the most money (including retirement).

__________________
"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"

That is excellent advice - and just my thinking. The trouble is I seem to be at odds about which job makes me happy, as I enjoy them both.

__________________
"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"

Start your own company. I did 23 years ago and haven't looked back.

__________________
For the Saved, this world is the worst it will ever get.
For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

I'd stay where I was. But that's because I'm a lazy individual and like the idea of a no stress job with no travel and a good bit of telecomuting. Hell if you have a decent vpn setup you wouldn't even have to get out of bed in the mornings. My dream

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
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1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
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1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
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Get the offer in writing (to insure that they'll wait while you give notice at present employer) and return to former firm.

Thanks, for the detailed info to reflectively give you some sort of monetary direction...... Only you and your Wife can sift through whether it's worth it to return.

As far as the present ppl being so nice to work with? -The previous employer co-workers being cut-throat?

I dunno, man.....since you shine in your job performance, at least your workplace security is assured based on your performance. A little travel away from the workplace would seem to me to be a treat not to be with them every day.......

Personally? I loathed working with any supervisors/owners/sales managers & co-workers that were mean, etc.

I've been over two decades with one firm out of Los Angeles, CA., where I really admire the owners that I work directly for on an 'indy' sales commission basis. I'm really fortunate right now, to have such freedom to travel anywhere I want to with year round free time to do as I please.

At one time I had two of these Los Angeles, CA firms onboard my sales agency for almost 20 years ~ absolutely the best years of my sales career ~ fantastic money & great ppl to work for. I was able to do quantum leaps in funding of my SEP IRAs and Self-Directed IRAs for many years by repping great firms earlier in my sales career.

FWIW to me: It is very gratifying to be wanted in the workplace - that's invaluable to work under a firm that wants you, IMO.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

It sounds like your current job would allow you to have maximum time spent with your soon to have children. If you like both jobs equally, then stay put. Nobody likes gypsies.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
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How about Tramps and Thieves?

__________________
For the Saved, this world is the worst it will ever get.
For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

pj67coll: That was hilarious - I agree. Sometimes, I'm pretty lazy. But I think I'm afraid if I take the easy road this early in my career, I'll end up being one of those unmotivated bums that's just there to collect a paycheck (without actually earning it).

I think this is what it comes down to for me. Even though my previous job was more stressful, I enjoyed the challenge. And it was always rewarding to have my co-workers look to me for complex problems, etc.

Thanks for all the feedback...this gives me a lot of different angles to approach this dilemma. Its great to have such objectivity (from intelligent folks) available at the touch of a few keystrokes!

__________________
"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"

Do the Mr Mom thing. Put your wife to work. Telecommute a little if you have to. Homeschool the kids. Get some chickens for the back yard.

I'm with you Peter.

Then buy a tractor.