Tough decisions

[poolingmyignorance 2,191]

There's always great feedback on this forum from all sorts of perspectives on all sorts of topics. So I'm going to pose a question of a dilemma I'm having in my professional life.

 

I've been in my industry for 16 years and have grown with the company I started with all those years ago. They are very small and close knit and have done well to take care of their employees in terms of flexibility on personal, family and health issues. A bit tight with wages, but I've done well, since at one point I simply became the only guy around with the skills they needed to complete projects.

 

Over the years though there have been some very slow periods with reduced hours and reduced benefits. The last one being they put everybody on significantly reduced hours for months.

 

I was not as effected as everbody else due to field work,I'll still come out ok. However there have been years passed that I had no extra work and it was great hardship. I stayed for the commeradre.

However I'm the passed every increase of pay requested was denied until I gave notice.

 

I'm at that point again, expect this time,I doubt they have the means to counter offer. It will be a brige burned I feel, and kinda bugs me.

 

I will lose a few cool benefits but none that provide for my family.

 

Am I crazy for deliberating about this?

Edited September 22, 2016 by poolingmyignorance

[ChileRelleno 7,071]

Never crazy to contemplate bettering one's position in their field of expertise/career.

Just know where you're going before you make your move.

[HB of CJ 1,263]

Wow, tough question indeed.  What is your shelf life?  Does the company you were with (still with?) provide hidden benefits?  Continuing education?  Vehicle for private use?  Paid travel?  IRAs?  Family medical?  Any other benefits you have not detected?  Have you run out of steps on the promotion ladder where you were-are?

 

Is the outfit a sinking ship?  A leaking ship?  Have you analyzed where the company will be in the close, near and far future?  Outdated technology?  Whatever other reasons?  Do not jump from the frying pan into the fire.  Or in your case from a known but small lifeboat into the shark infested ocean.  Can you $handle$ reduced hours?

 

Will they let you take on a second different career or job and still work there?  Fifteen years is a very long time.  Is there something you would like to do differently from what you are doing now?  I had to jump from FF PM to RN.  Sound decision.  Talked to the wife?  Kids?  What if the economy tanks?  What then?  Do not make it worserer.

 

Yikes indeed.

[Vance665 225]

So if you move on to something better it will piss off your boss because you're irreplaceable? Sounds like you are SEVERELY underpaid. Do whats best for you and leave emotion completely out of your decision making process. Whatever happens happens, just don't take it personally if they get butt hurt.

[Machinist 150]

Weigh all the pros and cons of each business and write down the reasons to stay along with the reasons to start a new journey in life. The ultimate decision rests with you and your family. I changed jobs at 59 years of age to get out of a very stressful environment, company offered me a 30% pay increase to return to my management position, said thanks but not interested in returning to the environment. Your quality of life along with your family and friends are worth more than any amount of the almighty dollar. Lots of people might disagree with my approach to life,we only are able to walk on this earth one time. You and your family will make the correct decision and move on in life.

Enjoy your journey!

Edited September 23, 2016 by machinist

[Ronin38 2,117]

I *just* started a new career myself, got hired this week!

 

I've been in IT for 16 years. For the first 10 I was in a good company with a small IT team, so we all did a little of everything. Great experience.

They farmed-out some of their IT services to HP, myself and a few others got transferred to HP but still working for the first company under contract.

Decent job, not as much variety as before, but my seniority transferred over so I had good pay and 4 weeks vacation! 

That contract ended, not renewed, so I was laid off for nearly a year. Got a job 2 years ago with the last company.

It was an OK job, strictly phone support, but I was hoping to move up in to a better IT job. Well, no openings in two years, and the help desk job got to be very high-stress, and I was having issues with stress, high blood pressure, etc. I resigned from it with no clear-cut path ahead.

In the meantime, I had become interested in commercial UAV uses, learned a bunch about it, contacted a local company that does 3-D modeling and Agricultural scanning. Made contacts there, got my FAA Part 107 Cert. last week, and now I'm working for them! 

 

3rd time in my life I've changed careers, each time was an improvement for me. As the others have said, weigh the pros & cons of each, and decide what is best and has the most growth potential for you- Professional growth, and/or Personal growth. Both are important.  Good Luck! 

[poolingmyignorance 2,191]

It's good to get reaffirmation I'm on the right track. Our branch of industry is small and specialized so my market of potential employers is limited. I hate going to a direct rival but as a financially motivated decision I felt it was prudent to seek the highest profit potential.

 

I expressed concern and issue with the company's reduction in benefits and future work load and was meet with a sincere yet less than urgent response.

 

 

Thanks guys.

Edited September 23, 2016 by poolingmyignorance