Old job/new job - angst

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/31/14 at 7:23pm

I have recently been offered and accepted a new job. I was actively recruited by someone who used to work at my present firm. I would be working with her directly. I signed my offer letter yesterday, and ever since then I've been having second thoughts. I plan on giving notice at my present job tomorrow morning.

My present firm is going through some changes instituted by management which prompted my considering another job (morale throughout the firm is rather low). My salary is good, and as I recently celebrated my 10 year anniversary, I'm now up to 7 weeks of time off (new firm 4 weeks) per year.

Their initial salary offer was low and I promptly turned it down. The partner I'd be working with went to bat for me, and ultimately the new place called me back a few days later and matched my present salary. Although I was told the new firm covered 100% medical and dental, it turns out dental only covers $1000, whereas my present coverage is good up to $2500/year (I currently contribute about $100/paycheck towards medical/dental). After doing some due diligence online, it turns out that the new place doesn't offer bereavement pay (something my present firm does). I always thought bereavement pay was a given in my present line of work and never thought about asking. It now begs the question, what else don't I know?

I have no idea if these doubts are creeping in because I feel this isn't the best thing for me, or if these are doubts which are normal and come along with change and the unknown.

All this being said, I know it's not easy to find a job out there right now. My present firm has had several cutbacks over the last 6 years. Last year we had a voluntary layoff, and even though I volunteered for the package, they didn't let me go.

Any bits of advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Updated On: 7/31/14 at 07:23 PM

[Bluemoon]

Posted: 7/31/14 at 8:42pm

Dottie - does signing your letter with the new company bind you to them? I would hold off on the letter of resignation for the weekend, then do some more digging and make a list of pros and cons. No matter what you decide by Sunday night, the choice will have been made with thoughtful consideration and deliberation and you won't feel like you've been backed into something.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/31/14 at 9:16pm

Thanks. I read the letter, and it is non-binding, which is a good thing under the circumstances. An attorney who I worked for up until a couple of years ago, gave me some good advice as well. It was nice to get feedback from someone who has worked in the environment that I'm currently employed.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 7/31/14 at 9:28pm

Dottie - Agree with Moony's advice.

Give this time.
Even if current morale is low, don't discount the seniority you have there, and the TOTAL value of the benefits. Compensation packages are always more than salary, and jobs are always more than compensation.

Follow your gut. Give it thought. Make your Pro and Con lists. And by Monday you'll know what to do.

Sending big hugs!
XOXO

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/1/14 at 12:18am

I know this is absolutely no help, but just reading your situation gave me anxiety. I'm bad at making big changes. You have my empathy.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 6:02pm

"The grass is always greener on the other side because it's fertilized with ****."-- My Dad. :)

Really though, I would come up a list of pros/cons and go from there. However if it were myself I'd stay were I was.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 6:22pm

How secure (if anything can be said) is the new job/company? I know how hard it is to make changes BUT right now you are in control of the situation. In a year or so will the same ole same ole still be there? U have mentioned the changes there- usually it's the more expensive members of a company who get kicked ( unless they truly r indispensable)What else is there in the new place? Can u grow professionally? What do u really want at this time in your life?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 7:05pm

They matched--not bettered your current salary and did not match the benefits?

Those are clearly the cons. What, exactly, are the pros?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 8:22pm

Thank you all for the feedback.

Some background - I've been looking for another job for well over a year. Most firms have offered salaries $10-$15K less than what I make. Law firms are changing. The main pro regarding the new firm is that they're smaller, so there is a bit more job security. I'm a legal assistant, and two of the partners I work for are close to retirement age. I would rather be pro-active in terms of taking myself out of the situation, as opposed to being at the mercy of my present firm. Again, I volunteered for the package last year, but was denied as I was deemed too "valuable". I have already reached my salary cap at my present job, whereas the new firm does not have a cap for someone in my position (a definite plus).

I also spoke to my former office administrator on Friday and her advice to me was, "get the hell out of dodge!" She has heard how much the management team has disrupted the once pleasant work environment (all to save a buck).

I would like to move in to the role of office administrator and the smaller firm would give me better exposure and experience.

There was definitely a lot of back and forth in my decision making process and a ton of ANXIETY. I have to keep on reminding myself that change is good, especially since my present work environment is toxic because of management. No about of vacation time, etc. is worth working there.

[dented146]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 9:09pm

If your current work environment is toxic than you should look forward to a new and good opportunity. Be positive, brilliant, and knock'em dead.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 9:20pm

I agree. Yes, it is terrifying BUT the oppourtunity to grow and and move upward salarywise is a definate positive. We need to challange ourselves to grow. It is never comfortable but from my experience, most often once the move is made I have asked myself, "Why did I wait so long?".

[dtzumbrunnen]

Posted: 8/3/14 at 9:43pm

Best of luck - it seems that the pros and cons really point towards the new company, and that change is the biggest con. If the existing company deems you so valuable, it's also not unheard of anymore that you'd be able to return if the grass truly isn't greener at the new firm. But just based on the tone of your replies and the toxicity of the environment, it seems unlikely that would happen.

Be professional, be firm, and look ahead to your next chapter!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 9:33am

Toxic work environments can be soul sucking and I'm sure everyone on this board over the age of 25 has some story to share. Like the others my best advice is to sit down and put your thoughts on paper. Make that pro/con list. Fear of change is something we all can understand. I hope you come to the decision that is best for you.

[javero]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 10:09am

Dottie, you didn't reveal if you have child care and/or elder care concerns and I'm not going to pry. However, if either or both are in play, I echo NYAdGal whom I quote below.

"Even if current morale is low, don't discount the seniority you have there, and the TOTAL value of the benefits. Compensation packages are always more than salary, and jobs are always more than compensation."

But, if you NEED the change, I say go for it!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 3:29pm

Sometimes u know something w/out actually being aware of it. Given the change in the environment of your present situation and the fact that u were already looking for something leads me to think u know how this is going to play out if u don't take your own initiative. It is unlikely u r going to get everything u want in a new place but you'll never know what you could get as time evolves. But u do know how it's gonna go down where u r now. My instinct is go- start a new game rather than get stuck w a losing hand.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 3:39pm

Thanks!

I tendered my resignation. HR totally understood my reasons for leaving and asked what the firm could do to get me to stay. It's definitely not a salary or vacation time issue, so there really isn't anything that can be done.

The hard thing was telling my attorneys as I've been working with a couple of them for 10 years.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 3:48pm

Congratulations!

[dented146]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 6:18pm

Congratulations! My guess is you will continue to be friends with those attorneys and they will respect you more for your courage. In addition, some of them may move at a future date and you will have more contacts and possibly other opportunities.

You will get to look at things a bit differently at a new firm which may help you professionally in many ways. Your resume shows that you have been both loyal and dependable for ten years and also intelligent enough to improve your situation.

I hope you enjoy your new position. Good luck.



Updated On: 8/4/14 at 06:18 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 8:19pm

^Wow, thank you!

And again, thanks to all of you who contributed their advice and wished me well. It truly has been a huge help.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 8:25pm

Ad Astra Kiddo!
Congrats!

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 9:00pm

You will not regret it. Movement and change is actually good for us, it is life! Break a leg!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 9:52pm

Dottie, i'm so happy for you and proud of you!

Let's celebrate soon!
Congratulations!

XO

[Alan Henry]

Posted: 8/5/14 at 2:10am

Congratulations! Hope your new job is everything you hope for and more.