I'm in a tough spot. I've been with my current company for 5.5 years. They are like family, great people. My boss is great, the people I work with are super laid back. It's comfortable. So, as the years have gone by, the company has continued to struggle. My hours got cut to 32, then I went on maternity leave (unpaid) and came back and am currently working 25-28 hrs a week. This was my choice, but my son is now 16 months old and I recently asked for more hours. They said they couldn't do it. My boss got me in touch with someone to do some extra freelance design, since he knew I needed more income. So I'm working the max I'm allowed (28 hrs/week) and also doing about 10 extra hours a week in various freelance work. I'm living paycheck to paycheck, my company can't offer any of us raises. They're doing everything they can to keep us all on board, the three executives have been at no pay or half pay for 2 years now. They offer us lots of flexibility in return - I can basically come into the office when I need to and work from home. I usually come in 2-3 days a week. I've heard through the grapevine that they're going to have to walk away from the building we're in, we can't afford it and they can't get a buyer. This would mean working remote all the time, except for a weekly staff meeting... somewhere.
So here's the problem: The flexibility is great, but I'm also getting stressed out feeling like I'm always working. I'm always checking emails, and trying to juggle 3-4 different jobs at once and keep all my projects/deadlines in order. I think I probably end up "working" a lot more than I think. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for full time work. For my experience/degree, some of the jobs I'm qualified for are offering about double my pay. I did some math and I could work full time, pay for a part time nanny, (husband works nights and we currently just watch our son w/ no daycare or help from others) and still have an additional ###-###-#### a month income. This would be great, I could pay off my debt this way. BUT, it's scary to look in this market, and I am so used to flexibility and I'm worried working 8 hour days in the office would be hell. And now I get to see my son a lot, which is important to me. I am bored with my job, but I worry more challenge in a new job would put me over the edge with all the stressed of being a new mom. But on the other hand, it might be nice to have a "schedule" go work from 9-5 and be done. How do you decide what to do??? This is of course assuming I could even find anything....TIA for advice moms.
Have you tried getting other free lance opportunities? I would start there...stay with what you have an build up the freelance resume.
Then if they do let you go...you have built up enough to keep working when you want, how you want and getting the freedom you want.
P.
When you take steps to make changes in your life and the doors start opening then you know you are doing it right.
I think if you had a full time job you would feel better, more stable, less agitated. The stability of a full time job would allow you to have a better relationship with your son since you would not be so stressed.
I say take the steps, get your resume out there, go on some interviews. If the doors start opening, so be it. If the doors are not opening, you are not finding another job, then re-evaluate the situation again.
Good Luck
Blessings
D.
Interview. Look around. Get an offer...... then decide. Your gut will tell you what to do.
It is really a personal decision for you. If it was me I would look for something more stable. By the sounds of it you could be out of a job soon anyway and then where would you be. You currently have the flexibility, but by the sounds of it there may not be a company much longer.
It is always better to search for a job while you have one, than to wait and search when you don't. I understand the flexibility part, and it will be hard to go back to regular office work week, but it does get easier with time, and if you can build up a respect at the work place you may be able to work something out down the road.
Yes, you need to make a move. The company you are with is not financially stable...in turn making you financially unstable as well. It is great to like where you work, but you have to be able to pay the bills. Keep the job you have and start looking for other opportunities.
Don't discount flexibility with a new job. I've been writing about my job struggles on here and decided to look for a new job in late Feb/early March due to some issues I was having with management. I was terrified! I work from home f/t and the company is good - solid benefits, extremely flexible, etc and I was convinced I'd never find another job like it again.
I sent out about a dozen resumes and got job calls from 2 different companies - one is a "typical" office environment but they liked me and my background they are willing to make an exception and allow me to work virtually from my home office. The other is a virtual company and they told me I was top candidate.
I'm in final interview stages with them both (mind you - I sent the resumes out only a month ago) and might even have my pick between the two! So don't be scared - you CAN find these opps - you just have to look and trust your gut!!!
Good luck!
It sounds to me .like you've weighed your options. Talk to your husband see what he has to say.It sounds to me like either decision is going to have its up and downs.Apply and see what happens it never hurt to explore your opportunities
If I was you I would try to find a job. Just go to the interviews and get yourself out there. Your current job doesn't sound very stable although you have great flexibility. They just might be a matter of time before they let you go. So, go and see what is out there that you may like and may work with your hours.
Don't be afraid to try, there is nothing to loose by trying except an opportunity!
Just keep in mind that if you are going to list them (your current job) as a reference you need to tell them.
Go get them girl!!!
Blessings
I would start looking for another job now if I were you. It is always hard starting a new job. Your son will be fine. I know it's hard though.
Sorry!
If the business weren't in trouble, I would think that you've covered your personal pro's and con's very well and just need to make a decision. But I will bet you that within the year, they will either have to let you or someone else go, or they will shutter the business or downsize it.
You may end up only working those freelance jobs. With your flexibility, start job hunting now. You may actually be doing them a favor by getting another job.
So sorry,
Dawn
I also got cut from full time to part time and did freelance work on the side. I know what you mean about feeling like you're always working!
I got a full time job, in an office 9 - 5 five days a week and am VERY happy! I now have a schedule and take weekends off without feeling guilty because I'm not working! You might miss the flexibility, but will appreciate your "scheduled" job every day at 5:00 when you get to leave and go home and not worry about work until the next day. And having weekends without side projects s awesome!
Can't hurt to look... It may be these 9-5 jobs aren't really 9-5. I'd also try to really keep track of how many hours you're working to get a better sense. Keep a diary for a month. Your bosses sound great and you wouldn't want to be disloyal but same time, they may be relieved to have you go since they're spreading their finances so thinly. And double your pay is too good to overlook if you have debt and all. If you start looking, your mind may be made up more easily. Either you don't get offers or you get a great one that's way more pay and hours will be set etc. Or it could be something in the middle but you'll never know until you try.
I really enjoyed reading your post.
It sounds to me like your mind is already made up about what is or isn't available out there for you. Looking at the handwriting on the wall of your current company it doesn't seem like they will be in business much longer and you may have to find new employment.
It seems to me like you would serve your Me, Inc. better by arranging your schedule closer to a 9 - 5. It doesn't hurt to begin to look for a new job. In this economy it does take time to find a job but jobs are out there for the skilled. Once given an offer of employment that is when you can negotiate things like hours, vacation time, etc.
If you are already freelancing for the company you already work for is there an opportunity to increase you value by offering the same services for another company and how would you manage your time to be able to do this.
When making decisions I try to make decisions based on what is best for my Me, Inc and my family. The extra money would be great and your son will be just fine. Children really do seemingly need you more in other ways when they are older. The youngest in the house is now 16.
I would look for a new job. Any time you change jobs you have an adjustment period. Knowing that you work from 9-5 five days a week will give you a schedule you can rely on. Flexibility is nice but it is not paying the bills and you ar juggling many other jobs already.
Since you say you could pay off debt and have ###-###-#### left after paying a nanny I would go with that. Get your financial house in order and then you could do the other freelance jobs when you wanted and stop living paycheck to paycheck.
Good luck on your decision. Remember only you can make this decicison we can just give our suggestions.
The other S.
How much longer will they be able to keep the business going? The future doesn't look good. Why not keep working and start looking for something more stable. Even though you have flexibility now, it seems like it would be nice to work at one job and not have to worry about juggling three or four jobs at once. You never know what you might find if you don't look!
Hi! I'd stick with the freedom and flexibility, there is nothing better.
