Question Re: Job Offer

[poppyfields]

Hey guys, this is long but hope you can hang in as I really need your help!

So I've been working at my job for about a year and I love it!!

I actually love going in every day, I love our clients and the work, the people, my bosses, the only issue is I feel I am underpaid but was going to ask for a large increase in January.

Sadly, a couple of weeks ago, my bosses informed me they were relocating out of state.  

So I applied for another local job in the same field and we had a phone interview.

They said I was perfect for the job and wanted me to come in for an in-person interview.  They also said they could exceed my salary requirements.  I was happy and excited!

The next day, my bosses informed me they were not relocating after all so I decided to stay and not have the in-person interview at the other job. 

That's when the other job started "wooing" me, apparently they really liked me and thought I'd be a great fit. 

They told me the salary and I was like wow, it was around $20,000 more per year than I was making at my current job!

So I agreed to the in-person interview and during the interview they told me:

1.  They expect perfection. 

2.  Never say no when given a task, even if you have no time, try and find someone else to do it. 

3. It's very high volume, high pressure, high stress and they've had people walk out after a couple of days or a week with no notice because they couldn't hack it. 

4.  It's a difficult place to work as again they expect perfection, you're expected to give 110%, no exceptions.

The Administrator actually told me all this.

I left the interview knowing I didn't want it, but chose to wait until I received the formal offer before telling them to use as leverage to negotiate a higher salary with my current job.

My husband actually advised me to do that. 

The following day I received the formal offer and it was in fact approximately $20,000 more per year than I am currently making.

I had a meeting with my current bosses and they almost matched it (gave me an increase of $12,000 with a $1,000 bonus now and $3,000 at end of year), and so combined with how happy I am there, I declined the other higher offer and decided to stay with my current job.

And now the other job came back with an even higher offer!

So my thinking is something sounds terribly off about this. They're almost begging me to work for them and why such an enormously high salary?  

This isn't normal and despite the fact it's more money than I could ever hope to make, my thinking is it must be a very VERY difficult and high stress environment to be offering such a high salary. 

And do I want that for myself?  Such a stressful environment with such strict requirements and expectations? 

Is the money worth it?  

I don't think it is worth it but our country's economy is going down the tank, COLA is 9.1% thus far this year, my husband and I are looking to buy a home and start a family (I miscarried our first ) so I don't know! 

My husband thinks I should do what I want even though I suspect he's hoping I take the higher paying job.

What do y'all think?  Do you agree something sounds off about them offering such an extraordinary high salary?  

People walking out after a few days to a week with no notice?  

Again, I am so happy where I am, it's relaxed, stress free and fun even though we all work hard too. 

Help!

 

[Wiseman2]

53 minutes ago, poppyfields said:

 I declined the other higher offer and decided to stay with my current job.

Good call. This other place actually brags about the high turnover, toxic corporate culture and draconian environment? Run.

Edited September 22, 2022 by Wiseman2

[basil67]

I wouldn't touch the new place with a 40ft pole.  It sounds like an awful working environment.  And if you burn out, and need to leave, then you're without that job and have lost the job you love.    As do our jobs day in and day out, enjoying the workplace is incredibly important.  I'd stick with your current job and enjoy the pay rise.  

 

[BrinnM]

Now that the workplace you love has offered you almost the same salary as the new place, there’s no reason to leave. It’s hard to find a job you love, in an environment where you feel comfortable. At the “new” place, they already made it sound unpleasant before you even started. Red flag! They basically admit they can’t find long-term employees bc they suck as a workplace - haha. Please decline, and let’s hope your employers whom you’re so happy with won’t change they’re minds and leave the state eventually. (If you’re in CA, it may happen eventually. I’ve read that more than 10% of businesses have already left for TX, NV, ID, and other states.  😱)

Look at the salary difference at something that “buys” you peace. You’ll need it, especially when you’re in the middle of building a family, and looking for a home. That’s stressful enough all by itself.  

[mark clemson]

9 hours ago, poppyfields said:

Again, I am so happy where I am, it's relaxed, stress free and fun even though we all work hard too.

Sometimes it's nice to have a "first world problem" in your life.

It sounds like the new job burns people out, may micromanage, and generally "asks too much" of people, and they are well aware. Given everything you write, if it were me I'd keep my tidy raise and stay put. Getting the new job is likely to be only a short term boost as one would hate it and eventually leave, or, possibly worse, hate it but be stuck there unable to leave easily and miserable. Unless I was "hurting for money" I believe that's the logic I would apply.

"If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." Nice words to live by, IF you can pull it off...

Edited September 22, 2022 by mark clemson

[poppyfields]

3 hours ago, BrinnM said:

let’s hope your employers whom you’re so happy with won’t change they’re minds and leave the state eventually. (If you’re in CA, it may happen eventually. I’ve read that more than 10% of businesses have already left for TX, NV, ID, and other state

Thanks Brinn, this^ was a big factor in my decision to stay, the fact they assured me (promised me) they will NOT be leaving the state and yes we're in CA.

They're really good guys, they truly care about their employees so I believe them. 

With the second offer the other job presented to me, it's quite a significant difference (they offered another $6,000 per year) but it's interesting because I'm almost turned off to them now. 

Like they are literally trying to buy me.  And the fact they're almost begging (which is what it seems like).   

I'm NOT that great, believe me!  I mean, I'm loyal, my skills are decent but what they're doing seems quite a bit over the top. 

The only thing I can think of is that it must be really bad out there at finding decent workers.

There is an ad on Indeed.com for the position that reads "urgent hiring ongoing" what does THAT tell ya?

That either they can't find decent workers or it's such a bad place to work, they can't keep good workers or ANY workers!

Anyway, I've decided to take a pass.

My happiness and peace of mind are more important than $$$, and we (hubs and I) are doing okay, his new business is growing. 

He supports my decision and wants me happy too. 😍

It's interesting the influence money can have on a person, this was a big test and lesson for me.

Thanks guys for helping me out.  I think I already knew what to do, but needed affirmation which y'all provided.

 

 

Edited September 22, 2022 by poppyfields

[Alpacalia]

It wouldn't work for me.

A great job offer that would have made a really good reference for a future client was declined because I was being hit on by the prospective client.

There is nothing more important than feeling comfortable where you work and loving what you do in your work.

Sound like you'll make the right call.

Good luck!

Edited September 22, 2022 by Alpacalia

[Coasting1991]

Yeah, if a place is already saying it's bad in X, Y, Z, I'm willing to bet that it's even worse in other areas they didn't mention. I think you made the right choice, congrats on the raise! 

[Weezy1973]

I agree with the other folks that the other job sounded horrible. Usually the work environment is actually worse than what is presented during the interview, so I can’t imagine how bad it must be!

 

That being said, with future plans of house and family, it’s not a bad idea for you and your husband to do a rough budget of how much you’ll need per month. Do you need to save a down payment for the house etc. Work backwards from there. There obviously is a lot of competition for someone with your skill set, so good to keep your eyes open for other opportunities if you do need extra income to meet your goals. 

[ASG]

The fact they were telling you they expect the world from you, and that you need to always say yes and work beyond your abilities is a MASSIVE red flag. 

The reason they were chasing you with money is because they can't keep any employees. Also, it doesn't matter how much they offer... employees won't be there long enough for them to actually have to pay it!

You have made the right decision, staying with your current job, since you love it. And they gave you a good raise! 

Money is good, but peace of mind is better! 

[Eternal Sunshine]

Just no. What they said in the interview are huge red flags. I have only once worked in a very toxic environment and was so stressed and overworked, that I couldn't enjoy my time off or any extra money. I ended up having to leave as I was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown. Even if they offered you double the salary, chances are you wouldn't be able to last long and then would have to settle for some shitty job.

Jobs that you really like are also hard to come by, I have also only ever had one.

[ShyViolet]

That new job you interviewed for, it sounds like they treat employees horribly!  What would be the point of taking the higher salary, if you end up not being able to stay there very long due to the toxic work environment?  Then you wouldn't get the benefit of that higher salary for very long.  Never take a job where there are signs that they treat employees horribly, it's not worth it.