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Work Life Balance...
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Author:  Chippy [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Work Life Balance...

So I'm coming up to a crossroads, and I was hoping for some advice/insight.

I currently work from home 4 out of 5 days per week. My work is about 45 minutes away, and I work 9, sometimes 10, hour days. So when I go in the office, I'm gone for 11-12 hours of the day.

Baby is on the way in 2~ months, but I'm also about to go into a Leader program at work for a potential management position. If I accept the position, it would come with a large pay raise in my base pay, but require me to be in the office every day.

I love working from home and seeing my wife all day. And I would love to be home with the baby all day and be able to see him as much as possible.

I think the biggest issue I'm struggling with is, I get paid a monthly productivity bonus, that when added to my lower base, surpasses my salary for the new position which doesn't provide a monthly bonus.

Is the guaranteed salary worth not being able to see my family for 11 hours a day, 5 days a week?

Author:  FILMO [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

The question is if your work gets done if you are at home with the baby. Dads I know had a huge work output drop when they stayed at home. Because they helped with the baby or HAD TO HELP more than they expected.

Author:  Shack [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

I don't know your situation well enough really, but it seems like taking the guaranteed salary may be a good idea. You still see your baby enough during the week when you get home and weekends to be a good father and husband.

Author:  Rev [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

Question is your wife going to be stay at home mom or is she going to work?

If she's staying home then u should take the guarantee $$ with potential management position.
If not then u should stay the course. Someone should be at home as much as possible to raise that child.

Your responsibility is to provide for the family and whatever will grow your career/job financially is the right thing to do.

Author:  Chippy [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

My wife is currently attending online school, and is not working. So for at least the near future, she will be home.

Author:  Rev [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

Chippy wrote:
My wife is currently attending online school, and is not working. So for at least the near future, she will be home.

Then u know what to do

Author:  Algren [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

You will find working from home very difficult when your baby arrives.

Author:  Libs [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

Chippy wrote:
So I'm coming up to a crossroads, and I was hoping for some advice/insight.

I currently work from home 4 out of 5 days per week. My work is about 45 minutes away, and I work 9, sometimes 10, hour days. So when I go in the office, I'm gone for 11-12 hours of the day.

Baby is on the way in 2~ months, but I'm also about to go into a Leader program at work for a potential management position. If I accept the position, it would come with a large pay raise in my base pay, but require me to be in the office every day.

I love working from home and seeing my wife all day. And I would love to be home with the baby all day and be able to see him as much as possible.

I think the biggest issue I'm struggling with is, I get paid a monthly productivity bonus, that when added to my lower base, surpasses my salary for the new position which doesn't provide a monthly bonus.

Is the guaranteed salary worth not being able to see my family for 11 hours a day, 5 days a week?


Only you can make the decision, but I would take the higher salary and the office work. You're still going to be home plenty, it's not like you'll be gone all day every day. You'll be home in time for a nice dinner and have weekends off.

Plus, when the baby actually comes, you're probably going to want to be able to have a little time away to yourself, even if it's at work.

Author:  Dr. Lecter [ Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

Chippy wrote:
So I'm coming up to a crossroads, and I was hoping for some advice/insight.

I currently work from home 4 out of 5 days per week. My work is about 45 minutes away, and I work 9, sometimes 10, hour days. So when I go in the office, I'm gone for 11-12 hours of the day.

Baby is on the way in 2~ months, but I'm also about to go into a Leader program at work for a potential management position. If I accept the position, it would come with a large pay raise in my base pay, but require me to be in the office every day.

I love working from home and seeing my wife all day. And I would love to be home with the baby all day and be able to see him as much as possible.

I think the biggest issue I'm struggling with is, I get paid a monthly productivity bonus, that when added to my lower base, surpasses my salary for the new position which doesn't provide a monthly bonus.

Is the guaranteed salary worth not being able to see my family for 11 hours a day, 5 days a week?


Do I understand correctly that you would end up earning less per month with the new position than you are now?

Author:  Chippy [ Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

I guess I can be specific...

Currently make $47,500/year, with a monthly bonus based on work output. With my bonus in 2016, I cracked $100,000, just barely.

New salary would be $85,000/year, with no monthly bonus, but there is a yearly bonus that can range up to 15% of your pay. So if I got the full yearly bonus, I'd hit $97,750.

My current monthly bonuses fluctuate, but I have been receiving the higher tier for most of this year, and my department is projected to have even more business in 2017. But that doesn't mean my work quality will stay the same which is a big factor in the bonus structure, especially with the baby/lack of sleep.

So I'd probably be making around the same, maybe somewhat less. But it would be guaranteed, mostly.

Author:  Dr. Lecter [ Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

How much do you see of your wife at the moment, despite working 9-10 hours a day from home?

I think, if you have a separate office room in your home that is more or less soundproof, I'd continue working from home. Just pretend you are going to work every day, by going into your office. In the end, you will be "gone" less than driving to work every day, earn about the same and if really need be, you are around for your family. Because the other option mainly sounds like it would take more time out of your day, but not reward you with more money.

However, it all comes down to how long you think you can keep up that high level or productivity for (even regardless of the baby, you might be feeling burnt out if there is much pressure) and how certain you think these monthly bonuses are. And, of course, how high the probability is that the other position will be available say in a year or two.

Author:  stuffp [ Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

I'd go the other way.

Your monthly/ annual pay would come around the same, but the management position would give you more stability, and that's important too with a kid. If your wife is staying at home this should make the decision all the much easier, your child is being looked after well when you're not there (I hope).

If you like your job, it also shouldn't be too bad to not be around your child the whole time, you'll appreciate the time you do have with him/ even more.

Also the management position should be good for your career which should help in the long term too. And let's say things are not working out so well in the new position, then you could still get back to your current position?

Author:  Chippy [ Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

I'd say I get to see her for a good 4-5 hours of my day, because she has a desk opposite mine that she uses for school work. And I also have a TV in my office for movies and such.

Personally, I'm not too concerned about the money, because I love seeing my wife, and I think I would love seeing my baby for most of the day. But I also think that's somewhat selfish, as not advancing my career may hurt my family down the line.

Author:  Groucho [ Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

When you're on your death bed, will you say "I'm glad I spent all that extra time at work"?

Author:  Dr. Lecter [ Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

Groucho wrote:
When you're on your death bed, will you say "I'm glad I spent all that extra time at work"?


Well, he might say "I'm glad I have provided financial security for my loved ones".

But more likely he'll say "Suicide Squad 5 is really underrated".

Author:  Groucho [ Fri Dec 30, 2016 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

Dr. Lecter wrote:
Groucho wrote:
When you're on your death bed, will you say "I'm glad I spent all that extra time at work"?


Well, he might say "I'm glad I have provided financial security for my loved ones".

But more likely he'll say "Suicide Squad 5 is really underrated".


There's not a right answer to my question, and there can be many gray areas, but it is something everyone should ask themselves. What is more important to you?

As for Suicide Squad, I think we'll all be asking ourselves questions about that on our death beds.

Author:  MadGez [ Sun Jan 01, 2017 1:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

Do what feels right to you.

All I can say is as much as you love your wife and your kids - once you do have children the dynamic does change and you will most likely want to get out of the house. It will likely be the sane for your wife.

Author:  Algren [ Sun Jan 01, 2017 2:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Work Life Balance...

MadGez wrote:
All I can say is as much as you love your wife and your kids - once you do have children the dynamic does change and you will most likely want to get out of the house. It will likely be the sane for your wife.

:yes:

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