job change advice needed

So I work this job as a bus driver. Pay is about 50k a year. Hours are usually evenings, work my holidays and weekends. Great benefits and retirement program.

I just got offered a job with the state of Oregon. Hours are mon-fri 8-5 with all holidays and weekends off. Pay is only 45k per year. Benefits are also great with retirement.

So really its a trade off of hours vs pay. Not sure which road to take.

 

Seriously, just go for it.

Don't worry about the pay cut. If you are unhappy and you have a better offer that pays a little less, then you'd be foolish to turn it down. My current job pays a little less than my previous employer (U.S. Army) but the working conditions and the hours are soooo much better.

 

Seriously, just go for it.

Don't worry about the pay cut. If you are unhappy and you have a better offer that pays a little less, then you'd be foolish to turn it down. My current job pays a little less than my previous employer (U.S. Army) but the working conditions and the hours are soooo much better.

 

Xarick,

Here is what you really need to think about. Is your bus driving job in private industry? If so, you have less job security than you would in the public sector. In the public sector, you have a good amount of paid holidays, sick leave, pension and good medical/dental benefits as well. The benefits package in todays dollars may be worth 8-10k, on top of the 45k. Also, in private industry, your pension can be revoked. In government, at least here in Cali, our pensions are through Calpers, which is highly regulated and respectable, and our very large union keeps close tabs on.

Also, the State job is probably 45k to start? I assume so. In the State of Orgeon, I imagine you would have the opportunity to be in the union? Being a member of a union offers you many more protections than non union. In private industry, you could be let go (at will) and not even be informed why. In a State union job, management has to fully justify firing you, and if it is trivial, the union will intercede and overturn through the grievance procedure.

I can go on and on. I work for State Government in California. I am also a union job steward. I left private industry in a well paying field, Insurance. I am glad I did.

Let me know if you have any further questions,


Abner

 

And if you really needed extra money, you could probably moonlight. (All else failing, as a weekend or holiday relief driver somewhere?)

 

Actually Abner the Bus driving job is public with benefits and a union. The pay is about 50k a year (with overtime)

The state job should be about 45k a year(if they negotiate up the salary). With nearly the same benefits and yes a union.

Really it boils down to hours, pay, and advancement. The ability to get OT is far better in the bus, and the advancement is far better with the ability to move into jobs that pay $28 an hour. However the hours in bus suck and will for about 12-15 years due to seniority. Plus I will be working holidays for at least 5 to 7 years and the job is insanely high stress.

So the state job would pay less with almost no OT. it would also not really have advancement as there isn't any other level to this position. However the hours would be mon-fri days with weekends and holidays off. Low stress desk job.

it is a tough call.

There is another caveat. I am about to buy a house. So I will have mortgage payments. If for some reason I don't make the 6 month probation then I will lose everything. And I would have no way to start over. Not sure if the risk is worth that or not.

 

REPLY - Abner

Boy, that's a tough one. If it were me personally, I would take the low stress desk job. The job you have now is high stress, plus weird hours. That could mean possible future health problems caused by stress. Also, I tend to think that jobs that require nights, weekends, and holidays, leave people with the feeling that life passed them by. They miss family/friend events, and other important things. Not to be nosey, but what does your wife think? Is she supportive of you switching jobs?

As far as the six month probation, as long as you are on your best behaviour and don't ruffle any feathers, you should pass probation no problem. Also, since your job is currently a public service job, check with your payroll/HR clerk. I think you have a certain period of time in which you can return to your current job, I forget what the term is. They will know.

One last point, in the low stress job, you will have more time to take either B&M or DL courses towards completing your Bachelors. Once you are done with that, you can apply to other positions with more opportunities within the State.

Oops, this really is my last point. Ask your loan specialist how this new job would affect you buying the new house. If your wife works and is included in the loan, your switching jobs right now may not have a detrimental effect if your wife has a good work history. When I bought my first place, before the home I own now, I also switched jobs, but they looked at my past work history, along with my wife's work history.

Just my two centavos Xarick,

I hope it helps,

Abner

 

And another consideration - you have posted previously about pursuing a degree - that's going to cost money.

 

Well, hmm.

The state is still trying to find out if they can even offer my 45k a year. The original salary stated topped at 43k a year and I said I needed to make 45k. They said they would see what they could do. I haven't heard from them in days now. So it may be a no go after all.

My wife is supportive of the move because as a stay at home mom she would like me home evenings and weekends over other schedules.

I also asked for a start date after the loan closing which is a month away. I hope I didn't completely kill the deal, but feel I asked for what I needed to stick around long term.

Eitherway I am doing okay financially FINALLY so that makes me breath easier. And if I must drive transit.. so be it.

 

Good luck to you either way. Good move on stalling the start date. It will work itselft out.

Abner

 

Have you looked into what personality type you are? This may help you to discover what careers will give you the most satisfaction. Weekends off and being home at night are a big plus, but if you hate what you do, your family will bear the brunt of it.

Joe

 

I have done the personality thing, but found them to be very unhelpful. Usually they pair me with careers that I really don't do well at.

 

i would like to add that my wife agrees with the personality thing and thinks I would do well as a psychologist. I of course think I am more of a psychology patient.

 

I agree with you on that.


Abner

 

Update -

Well the State came back with a disappointing figure. They decided they couldn't offer me more than $3437 a month. This would be the top wage for the position. I currently make $3837 a month. So it would be a $400 a month pay cut. Thats pretty significant and would put me into the red. The only way it would work is if my monthly utilities were lower than I am estimating and I eliminated all cable and internet services. Only then would we break even with no extra money for those extra suprises.

So I have to really consider this since $400 a month is a huge drop in pay.

 

Is $400 a month really that bad of a drop considering the job you will be moving to is much less stressful?

 

Also, does your wife work? Just wondering.


Abner

 

My wife does not work and yes $400 a month is pretty huge when you are raising two kids. As it is my base salary of $46k is a tough one to live on. $41k would be near impossible. If this job had pay steps I might be okay, but it doesn't. This is the top wage of the job.

I am still thinking about it. I have until monday. But I keep trying to pencil out the numbers and they just don't work.

As it is my decision was made for me. My wife and I sat down and penciled out our bottom line before they came back with an answer and they were about $150 a month below that. So I will do what I must until another opportunity presents itself.

 

Another factoid to consider is the the State job is likely more secure than the city job - long term. And most states have an internal hiring preference - again long term. At the city, you are likely going to be a bus driver for the rest of your life - which you appear not to want. The state job likely gives you more options in the future - as well as better quality of life.

Have you checked into things like tuition reimbursement?