Former Employer Wants Me Back?

StevenB12

Hey guys,

I'm in a bit of a situation and in two minds as to what to do.

About 2 years ago now I left my job of working away from home, it was a good job, good money, good employer etc, I left due to family circumstances at the time and I was missing out a lot on my son who was only a couple of months old when I started there. 

They got in touch with me on 3 or 4 occasions asking if I would return, I never answered as I'm in an OK job now, good people but the money can be hit and miss, the majority is price work so my income fluctuates massively. 

They have offered me an opportunity to return and sent me a contract out , much better money, probably about £500 a month better off on average, but I'm still unsure on going back to working away, I would definitely miss the family and time at home, but I'm also worried I'm throwing a big financial opportunity away.

Any advice welcome!

Thank you 

[Deleted User]

Could you move with your family to somewhere closer to the job?

StevenB12

Deleted_User said:

Could you move with your family to somewhere closer to the job?

Unfortunately not. The office Is about 6 hours away from me, my partner is very close to her family and has rejected previous opportunities of relocation unfortunately!

Thrugelmir

Could you negotiate an element of home working? 

StevenB12

Thrugelmir said:

Could you negotiate an element of home working? 

Again unfortunately not due to the nature of the work as its all site based around the country. And very little work in my area (North east). 

MalMonroe

You said "I'm in a bit of a situation and in two minds as to what to do."

But to me the answer is crystal clear and hopefully you have discussed the offer with your partner, since you are not a single person any more.

There's more to life than money and for me, it isn't half as important as spending time with my loved ones. It depends what your own true priorities are. Home and family - or money. 

I can understand your partner not wanting to move miles away from her support network, family she's close to and also not wanting to take your son away from his family and all that he has ever known. 

It may be that you can negotiate something where you work for your ex employer for a fixed period of time, say a year or two so that you can build up some savings but then of course you'd have to find work on your return. And your son will grow and develop while you are away - that's precious time you will never be able to recoup.

I do hope that you will actually contact your ex-employer with your decision this time, though because they sound like good people to work for - the fact that you've ignored their past approaches hasn't put them off asking you yet again and it's just plain courtesy.

Nobody can actually give you advice as it's not really any of our business but we can give you our opinions and this is just mine. Something for you to think about anyway. Family, for me, comes first every time. (Yep, you guessed it, I'm poor!)

hangryconsumer

The extra £500 a month would surely be spent on the costs of working away from home? Therefore you'd be paid the same as you are now, with the disadvantage of being far from your family.

StevenB12

hangryconsumer said:

The extra £500 a month would surely be spent on the costs of working away from home? Therefore you'd be paid the same as you are now, with the disadvantage of being far from your family.

Na, all costs of being away are covered by the company, accommodation, food etc travel. Nothing is to be paid by me for anything really. So it would all be money better off. 

StevenB12

MalMonroe said:

You said "I'm in a bit of a situation and in two minds as to what to do."

But to me the answer is crystal clear and hopefully you have discussed the offer with your partner, since you are not a single person any more.

There's more to life than money and for me, it isn't half as important as spending time with my loved ones. It depends what your own true priorities are. Home and family - or money. 

I can understand your partner not wanting to move miles away from her support network, family she's close to and also not wanting to take your son away from his family and all that he has ever known. 

It may be that you can negotiate something where you work for your ex employer for a fixed period of time, say a year or two so that you can build up some savings but then of course you'd have to find work on your return. And your son will grow and develop while you are away - that's precious time you will never be able to recoup.

I do hope that you will actually contact your ex-employer with your decision this time, though because they sound like good people to work for - the fact that you've ignored their past approaches hasn't put them off asking you yet again and it's just plain courtesy.

Nobody can actually give you advice as it's not really any of our business but we can give you our opinions and this is just mine. Something for you to think about anyway. Family, for me, comes first every time. (Yep, you guessed it, I'm poor!)

Yeah, as I said this was the reason for leaving the first time (the time away from family) but unfortunately to support a family you need money! Don't get me wrong, we aren't rich by any means at all, bills get paid etc and there's usually something left, but I've seen it and been there where I don't want to to be scraping by, I sometimes work 80 hours a week at the minute and have some pocket money left over which isn't value for time/life...can't always win but should be a happy medium somewhere.

comeandgo

If you are working 80 hours a week then you can’t see much of your family anyway.  People do manage working away a lot, families get used to it.  My friends husband is in the Royal Marines, he is away for months at a time, many of my family work on the oil rigs, 4 off and 4 on.  

StevenB12

comeandgo said:

If you are working 80 hours a week then you can’t see much of your family anyway.  People do manage working away a lot, families get used to it.  My friends husband is in the Royal Marines, he is away for months at a time, many of my family work on the oil rigs, 4 off and 4 on.  

Yeah it can vary. At the moment I'll see them an hour or so a night, sometimes more depending on jobs and sites etc so its not a great deal unfortunately! But still more than I was, can't complain to much! Lol