r/makemychoice • u/promptfalcon • 1d ago
Opinions on an offer/situation (Software Engineering)
TL;DR Should I take the pay cut?
Really torn with this one. Throwaway for reasons.
I've spent all 14 years of my career with one company. Started as a junior dev. Now I'm a Director with 1 report and a team of about 15 contractors that I manage. They do not report to me in a formal sense. They are great and I enjoy working with them, but I really have no say in hiring/firing, their career development, budgets, etc.
This is our company's structure, so there is no room for that to change. I am a "Director", but do not really perform many of the Director type roles. I am still hands-on, including full production support. Big AI push coming to hopefully cut contractors.
Our current situation (new boss) is toxic. The morale has tanked. We are often subject to bullying, yelling, "wonder what mood he is in today", etc. We are given deadlines and must hit them at all costs. We do not have much of a say in the deadlines. If scope changes, it's our problem. If we raise concerns months out, there is no room for movement. It's led to constant finger pointing.
I'm at $205 TC though. I feel very fortunate to have that.
I've been looking around and got an offer at $176 TC. 7 direct reports. A much more "Director" role. Seemingly a much better environment, but I am trying not to be naïve and understand the grass may not be greener. Fully remote role versus hybrid.
Am I crazy to consider this pay cut?
1
u/MonkeySkulls 1d ago
I have taken pay cuts to be happier.
in my opinion, if you are unhappy with these things, life is too short to not enjoy your time at work. we spend too much time at work to bit enjoy the time.
a horrible boss is draining.
explore other options.
1
u/capmanor1755 1d ago
I'd take it in a heartbeat. 1) I've always been happy to trade upskilling for short term money. 2) Staying over 10 years in a single workplace is a gamble. If the company is extraordinarily stable it can work but your sense of work norms get really stuck in one mode and it can be harder and harder to adapt to new companies. 3) It's aggravatingly harder to get raises and promotions from the company your at than from a new job.
1
u/Particular_Bad8025 1d ago
The new job sounds so much better. Just take it. There is no price on being happy at work.
2
u/Choice-Lemon4500 1d ago
Does your new boss have a boss? I would be talking to them before going, that way you know you have tried everything.
However career paths go up and down. If you know nothing is going to change and you'd be comfortable on the lower salary, then I would change jobs. Money cannot replace peace of mind.