A work question

[Ferret619]

as many of you know I made a move into consulting 2 years ago, made some money, learnt some stuff and made some friends
consulting is great for the wallet but at times it isn’t optimal for a family man nor is it morally without issue if not careful.

Part of making friends at work means sometimes you get job offers, one came across my desk last week, small pay cut to move from private to public but I’d be in an area that actually makes an impact on the commonwealth and is seen as the gold standard for my chosen field, however the consulting firm has objectively been very good to me and I feel somewhat obligated to them.

I’m sure some of you gents have been though similar and wanted to know how you evaluate career choices like this?

 

[silverlifter]

I've worked in public and private, and the one thing I have learned is that you should make decisions that are best for you and your family. The public sector gig sounds like the right step for you to make, both in terms of career development, and personal satisfaction. The consultancy would have done very well from your tenure there, and you really owe them nothing more than being up front about your decision to leave and fulfiling the terms of your employment agreement.

Consultancies benefit from the revolving door; it is built into their model. They'll remain close to you once you are on the inside, don't worry!

All the best, and congrats on the offer!

 

[Ferret619]

I've worked in public and private, and the one thing I have learned is that you should make decisions that are best for you and your family. The public sector gig sounds like the right step for you to make, both in terms of career development, and personal satisfaction. The consultancy would have done very well from your tenure there, and you really owe them nothing more than being up front about your decision to leave and fulfiling the terms of your employment agreement.

Consultancies benefit from the revolving door; it is built into their model. They'll remain close to you once you are on the inside, don't worry!

All the best, and congrats on the offer!

Great advice, thank you.
I think because I started with a series of low paying roles I think taking a pay cut to improve balance feels hard to swallow but having achieved some major milestones im trying to live more in line with my values

 

[Mark1966]

I'm a dinosaur with coming up to 33 years with successor organisations BUT ...

... having had people come and go within our organisation over the years the key thing is integrity in the coming and going. People understand that opportunities arise and are generally keen to support others in career development - just don't screw them over (which I know you won't do) and it will be fine.

 

[StratMan]

go with the flow mate for what feels right for you and your family. From your initial post it sounds like the consulting role isnt optimal for your family. More money is what drives me and IMHO is not the key to happiness at work.

If you decide to leave, its all about delivery.. just dont burn your bridges, always part on good terms and a handshake, you never know who will be hiring you next and you may well just want to go back to the previous role

its great to be in a position to have choices.. good luck..

 

[Mark1966]

go with the flow mate for what feels right for you and your family. From your initial post it sounds like the consulting role isnt optimal for your family. More money is what drives me and IMHO is not the key to happiness at work.

If you decide to leave, its all about delivery.. just dont burn your bridges, always part on good terms and a handshake, you never know who will be hiring you next and you may well just want to go back to the previous role

its great to be in a position to have choices.. good luck..

"More money is what drives me and IMHO is not the key to happiness at work." - is there a "not" missing there?

 

[Mastropiero]

I have no experience whatsoever to give any advice in this regard, but my gut tells me for you to take the job. I second stratman's second line, your post also gave me the feeling that your current position can be detrimental to your family life. It took my wife and I quite long to form a family, perhaps that's why I am a bit biased, but nothing is more important than that. Money comes and goes, quality family time is priceless.

Also, I agree you own you current firm nothing but good manners. I am sure they'd also be good mannered with you the day they decided you're redundant, but they'd give you the boot anyway, without thinking twice, that's the joy of private firms.

 

[StratMan]

"More money is what drives me and IMHO is not the key to happiness at work." - is there a "not" missing there?

depends on the workplace but just to clarify 'more money is part of what motivates me' is more the truth, I always place workplace culture at #1... more interesting work also helps the day go by quicker but at the end of the day, its all about work to live and not live to work

 

[Ferret619]

I'm a dinosaur with coming up to 33 years with successor organisations BUT ...

... having had people come and go within our organisation over the years the key thing is integrity in the coming and going. People understand that opportunities arise and are generally keen to support others in career development - just don't screw them over (which I know you won't do) and it will be fine.

Absolutely, as we know Canberra is a small place, a really small place.

I have no experience whatsoever to give any advice in this regard, but my gut tells me for you to take the job. I second stratman's second line, your post also gave me the feeling that your current position can be detrimental to your family life. It took my wife and I quite long to form a family, perhaps that's why I am a bit biased, but nothing is more important than that. Money comes and goes, quality family time is priceless.

Also, I agree you own you current firm nothing but good manners. I am sure they'd also be good mannered with you the day they decided you're redundant, but they'd give you the boot anyway, without thinking twice, that's the joy of private firms.

Theres a lot of wisdom there and thank you for sharing about your family.
My wife and i have 3 kiddos and the 40 hours of client delivery on site plus 5-10 hours of work at the firm does feel very excessive compared to an APS 37.5 week with a few WFH days tossed in per week To cut out the commute time too.

 

[Ferret619]

depends on the workplace but just to clarify 'more money is part of what motivates me' is more the truth, I always place workplace culture at #1... more interesting work also helps the day go by quicker but at the end of the day, its all about work to live and not live to work

I’m also very money driven hence the sub 10k pay cut being a sticking point but objectively I’m sure the cut offers greater career progression and an opportunity to foster a more balanced life

 

[Mastropiero]

I’m also very money driven hence the sub 10k pay cut being a sticking point but objectively I’m sure the cut offers greater career progression and an opportunity to foster a more balanced life

Honestly, I would love to make more money, who wouldn't? However if you allow me just a tad of background, back in the 80's, when I was 3 years old, my mom got a job offer, a huge opportunity, something that many musicians in communist Romania (where I was born) got as well, and not many refused. People from Western Europe, representing different Symphony Orchestras, came to countries behind the Curtain, and offered the local orchestras plenty of money in exchange for musicians, on a temporary basis. Romanian Government was more than happy to cash in, even knowing that 90% of those musicians would never return. My mom took the job, with the sole purpose of making money, but she planned on returning, which she did. How that whole story turned out remains for another day, but my point is that my mom left behind a 3 years old, for the better part of two years, just to make more money. Mind you, we were NOT in a bad situation, considering, both my parents had decent jobs, we didn't have much but we lacked nothing. It was not a do or die situation, she left the country just to make more money.

Well, long story short, that set the tone for her behaviour over the years, and is something that many, many years later, I came to resent her for.

Family first, money later.

 

[TroyTools]

Never, was a dying man heard to say
"I wish I spent more time at work"

 

[glenos]

Some thoughts. I have 17 years in state public service through technical but mostly management and leadership roles.

You may find the pace of govt is too slow. I lead 15 professional staff across 2 teams with statewide coverage and at times find myself not busy or challenged. I think the feds can be slower.

I don't know your circumstances but $10k isn't that much, once you account for tax and/family tax benefit. You may find it is less that $100/wk.

I'd probably take the job. But I am not as motivated by money as others and value time away from work highly. The Worklife balance and flexibility of govt is very valuable.

I assume this offer has been made following a publicly advertised,multi stage, merit based selection process or are they not following their own policy and procedure?

 

[Monsta_AU]

When you have young kids, the there definitely needs to be a balance. As long as the money is not woefully inadequate for the role, then go for it. Public sector jobs also have other benefits like better super co-contributions, something I can see has a massive impact from my other half's job in the higher education sector. Keep that total remuneration benefit in mind, just like a non-profit can have really bad pay but your packaging and tax treatment can add $25-30K worth of value back into your total.

From a employer perspective, once my people have put in 2 years, they do not owe you anything. It's quite normal to move jobs when you hit that mark, so you should not feel like you owe them anything but I am approaching 8 years at this job, the longest I have been at any one company. Just let them know you have found a role which you wish to pursue and that you are thankful for the opportunity with them. Leave on good terms, the door will always be open later if you were a good performer. At my current company, the number of people that leave and either come back, or apply to come back is mind-boggling.

For me, my kids are now teenagers and do their own thing mostly. It's only my partner and I at home, so I have no issues with work travel. It keeps me in Gold status when we go on holidays and they are not stingy with expenses. I am booked for 2 weeks in the Philippines during October. The rest of the time they pay me very well as a retained employee and I pretty much only work from home. It really is a great deal and one I am not wanting to give up unless something similar comes up.

If this is what you need, do it. Reassess your situation in say 3-4 years time.

 

[Nanook]

I've only ever had 2 jobs in my life. I joined the Navy at 16 as an electrical fitter / mechanic. Through that, I got involved in vibration analysis which interested me so I kind of steered my naval career to be involved in that, left after 26 years and now do it full time for the one company for the past 12 years.

There's no such thing as home / work / life balance in the navy. I spent the majority of my time at sea so was never home. It's much better now as I work 4 10 hour days a week and every second weekend is a four day break.

 

[Ferret619]

I assume this offer has been made following a publicly advertised,multi stage, merit based selection process or are they not following their own policy and procedure?

Seeing as i was referred to apply by a friend no, not done in the standard APS way, but my friend is actually an independent recruiter but it’s also not a permanent ongoing role and as such doesn't follow the same process, rather than derail the discussion with peoples tolerance for non ongoing and the perception of risk I thought I’d leave it.

 

[Ferret619]

I've only ever had 2 jobs in my life. I joined the Navy at 16 as an electrical fitter / mechanic. Through that, I got involved in vibration analysis which interested me so I kind of steered my naval career to be involved in that, left after 26 years and now do it full time for the one company for the past 12 years.

There's no such thing as home / work / life balance in the navy. I spent the majority of my time at sea so was never home. It's much better now as I work 4 10 hour days a week and every second weekend is a four day break.

Certainly not if you are active service, my time in navy was minimal and paper based

 

[Ferret619]

When you have young kids, the there definitely needs to be a balance. As long as the money is not woefully inadequate for the role, then go for it. Public sector jobs also have other benefits like better super co-contributions, something I can see has a massive impact from my other half's job in the higher education sector. Keep that total remuneration benefit in mind, just like a non-profit can have really bad pay but your packaging and tax treatment can add $25-30K worth of value back into your total.

From a employer perspective, once my people have put in 2 years, they do not owe you anything. It's quite normal to move jobs when you hit that mark, so you should not feel like you owe them anything but I am approaching 8 years at this job, the longest I have been at any one company. Just let them know you have found a role which you wish to pursue and that you are thankful for the opportunity with them. Leave on good terms, the door will always be open later if you were a good performer. At my current company, the number of people that leave and either come back, or apply to come back is mind-boggling.

For me, my kids are now teenagers and do their own thing mostly. It's only my partner and I at home, so I have no issues with work travel. It keeps me in Gold status when we go on holidays and they are not stingy with expenses. I am booked for 2 weeks in the Philippines during October. The rest of the time they pay me very well as a retained employee and I pretty much only work from home. It really is a great deal and one I am not wanting to give up unless something similar comes up.

If this is what you need, do it. Reassess your situation in say 3-4 years time.

Thank you for the extensive reply.
I think philosophically, in the space I’m in there is a shake up occurring and it’s forced several to reassess their positions.
With the big 4 getting heavily scrutinised I’m looking at my position as a consultant, personally I like the actual doing of the work I specialise in, I like working with a team and I like owning the results however the selling, the networking and constant grind of being across multiple clients is much less in line with what I like balance this with my young family, the sub 10k drop to save myself 10-15 hours a week plus the career advancement and prestige of the role I’m going too is a big driver.

 

[Ferret619]

To update this, I am so glad I made the jump.

although we have spend the last year as a family of 5 on a single, sub 6 figure income, the trade off has been worthwhile, as a development opportunity this has been fantastic.

As I previously stated, the industry is presently in flux. It is often a focal point during senate estimates, I’m in the not so unique position having moved from private to public, however as I identified these issues when I changed industries 2 years ago I have written a couple of business cases on the subject with recommendations for senior management, difference now is that I also have senior management who want to listen.

In a personal note, my contract was due to expire EOFY, I have been offered extension and I’m taking it on myself to make the role permanent, I interview next week.

 

[gthomas04]

Absolutely, as we know Canberra is a small place, a really small place.

So small @Mark1966 and his razor collection make up an entire postcode,

Theres a lot of wisdom there and thank you for sharing about your family.
My wife and i have 3 kiddos and the 40 hours of client delivery on site plus 5-10 hours of work at the firm does feel very excessive compared to an APS 37.5 week with a few WFH days tossed in per week To cut out the commute time too.