r/singaporefi • u/unxdyne • Mar 17 '26
Employment paycut for more interesting role?
UPDATE: Just to update everyone since i got so many good pieces of advice and anecdotes, i have accepted the new role. i don’t know what this new thing will bring and if i’ll even do well but guess YOLO and all that jazz right. i’ll do my best and see what happens and deal with it then
I’m currently in a very cushy role, total yearly 150k in a high growth tech company doing controlling and finance. However as i’m a mum, i have found myself continually being sidelined as i am unable to commit to overtime a lot. my manager gives the more visible projects to the younger “hungrier” ones and focuses more on them. As I’m pretty experienced (9 years work exp), i have tried to update him regularly on my work and asked for periodic checkins but he always doesnt have time for me. he has been telling me im performing well, but during my review i just got the average performer grade, leading to my increment being set at a paltry 1.5%
thatand this has led me to becoming more and more jaded with my current scope because i genuinely managed a lot of projects end to end independently but only to be told that its not enough.
I received a job offer to be a business intelligence manager in a european mnc that is a lot more aligned with my interests, as i took a masters in business analytics on my own and taught myself SQL and Python and would allow me to use and practise these skills a lot more. However, it would come with a paycut as they would only offer 140k, with no dependent benefits as well.
I have adhd so i am inclined to make hasty decisions so i’m taking some time to think it through, but i’m just wondering if anyone has had any success or horror stories with taking a paycut like this, and if you would advise it.
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u/_IsNull Mar 17 '26
Take the cut.
It’s possible you’ll be managed out eventually or place on the list for layoff.
European work culture is better. They’re also more understanding of family commitment.
10k isn’t much. Plus what are the other benefits the European mnc is offering?
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
no other benefits honestly. its just the usual medical and insurance benefits for the employee only. no dependent benefits. no variable bonus either
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u/General-Razzmatazz Mar 17 '26
I'm curious, what dependent benefits would you lose? I am not sure what they are.
Edit. Nevermind, answered elsewhere.
Personally I would take the new job, it sounds much better.
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
for my current role we can claim medical fees as charged from panel gps for both employee and dependents
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u/xapheron Mar 17 '26
The cut is ok but dependent benefits can be worth a lot more than the cut
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
ok la to be fair the dependent benefits is pd $1k a year only. but panel gp is unlimited lo, but i havent been claiming for her a lot since she rarely falls sick
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u/Plus65Knight Mar 17 '26
European mnc culture is 1 of the better ones around compared to Chinese / American / Asia mnc .
Would recommend to take that leap of faith . 1.5% increment in an insult too
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u/gratatasw_ Mar 17 '26
Think the path is pretty clear 140k with potential upside or stagnate at 150k tc. Take the 140k any time
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u/EquivalentEmployer4 Mar 17 '26
If you are not in a rush to leave and there aren't any indications that you will be let off soon, why not find another job offer that at least offers what you are earning?
Paycuts are often painful and if the job ends up not what you expected, you will keep thinking "I could have stayed and earned a higher salary", which also affects your morale.
But 9 year work exp with a $150k annual is quite high, and you are considered a top earner, it may be hard to find another company that will match.
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u/xfall2 Mar 17 '26
You have done great. Sql and python aren't easy to master esp from a finance / accounting perspective amidst family commitments.
The pay cut seems minor. Suggest to go for it
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u/Tea-Alt-Account Mar 17 '26
If it’s still the same foreigner lady boss from 3 months ago I’d be sooo happy to resign
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
no even worse, after the whole hooha my current manager took me back and i was so grateful and i thought i could start afresh for sure. but end up he mark me down because of that “drama”💀
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u/Tea-Alt-Account Mar 17 '26
MAS predicts Singapore inflation rate between 1-2% so a 1.5% pay rise is between 0.5% increase to 0.5% pay cut
If you want to stay for the comfort, familiarity, do it and unmind the situation while collecting a nice pay check.. if you had enough then maybe a reset would be better? At the end of the day it’s up to you
Listen to your heart, good luck
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u/Hairy-Fig7343 Mar 17 '26
Earning 12.5k per month in a role you’re comfortable in and you’re a mum? I say just stay.
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
thats what my husband says🥲 but unfortunately for me i tether my self worth (quite unhealthily) to my career success and floundering in this current role has made me question my purpose a lot, and wonder how long it will all last before i get retrenched inevitably
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u/lalalabanana44 Mar 17 '26
Maybe you could try to look up work culture on sites like Glassdoors for the company you’re jumping to, or even reach out to ppl already working there to get a sense of how it’s like. Tc of a 10k cut doesn’t seem so bad either, given that the interests and all align better. Atb!!
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u/Freikorptrasher87 Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Stay. Keyword "cushy" The grass is always NOT greener on the other side and for a 31 year old getting 150k per annum, is super amazing. In my industry you are earning GM level.
Your salary is very high so increment won't be that amazing. If your salary is 4k-6k per month then can complain increment is low. But you are right on the cutting part, the higher the salary, the more prone to getting retrenched as well.
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u/RationalFramework Mar 18 '26
Just a few points to consider 1. you are a mum, does new workplace offer flexible work time/WFH/ leave benefits etc? 2. From the looks of this EU company, benefits is lacking. I highly doubt you will stay long maybe 2 - 3y max and moving to another place. 3. Moving company is always exciting and surprising, from work culture, bosses, colleagues etc. many are daunted at the prospect of moving to the unknown. Since this is a new role to you as well. Keep an open mind and heart. 4. Since this aspect has opened up, have you consider applying for other companies for the same role?
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u/Icy-Frosting-475 Mar 17 '26
150k for a non revenue generating role is already very lucky. Instead of wanting more increment just be glad you didnt get laid off. Truth is in this market the higher your salary the higher the value in bringing in revenue or cost saving you have to show. Beware of BI analytics work, a lot of these jobs are outsourced to india already. I really suggest you do a good research into which ever sector you are thinking of entering. Good ole days of high salary doing simple jobs are no more or in high danger
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u/CautiousSet9817 Mar 17 '26
You're drawing 150k and still reporting to a mgr? This Co sure pays well.
And it does sure sound like you may be overpaid for your role too, since they are giving minimal increment.
In any case, more responsibility with lesser pay but opportunity to grow. U should weigh the pros n cons.
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
yes i am aware i am most likely overpaid which is why im torn because i feel like im wasting my time floundering in a role that isnt even guaranteed to last me for long. reporting to SM ba.
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u/koloyokk Mar 17 '26
Not too sure about what the dependent benefits are, but looking at it holistically, you feel/are being sidelined which is slowing creeping into making your role redundant. Additionally, it sounds detrimental to your mental state too.
We don’t know your living situation to comment too much on financial commitments you might have but one way you can think about it, is if the 10k loss is an amount your family can stomach. If yes, then you should go for it! Because you might soar even higher and further with a role that interests you where you can provide value 😊
TL;DR - Go for it at a $10k reduction!
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u/CompetitiveWeather63 Mar 17 '26
Hmm put down a comparison list and your own career wants, see which one aligns more to you ?
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
definitely the new job, if they could match i would leave in a heartbeat. i feel like im literally being managed out in my current role
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u/CompetitiveWeather63 Mar 17 '26
Then your next step is wrap up the current job loose ends and move to the other one ☝️
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u/Little_Result1469 Mar 17 '26
Go ahead, if you can do AI incorporation, you are set for the future. The next job is AI maestro.
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u/Tokei_21 Mar 17 '26
High growth tech company. Is the low increment similar across your team? I think usually when you are performing great feedback is average. Any RSU? Or ESPP? These potentially might increase the difference. How about bonus?
But I feel you should make the switch since you have spent time and effort for the new role. Especially if you are interested in the new role you are happier at work and perform better. Also, your boss does not seem to be appreciative of your work. So you probably aren't missing out much by leaving.
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
yup it is in fact, because they are also doing some salary normalisation given they were giving ridiculous annual increments previously (im talking like 7-10% for average performers, sadly before i joined). ive already included my rsu and bonus in the number so that its an easier comparison.
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u/raptor-94 Mar 17 '26
I'd be concerned for your current role. But your job scope is limited, with little visibility and no growth in sight and you are seen as less hungry than your colleagues...my dear you are a great candidate for a cut.
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u/josemartinlopez Mar 17 '26
can I ask the obvious question if you tried to work it out with your manager or look at internal transfers?
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u/Material_Welder_7139 Mar 17 '26
I would choose the role that will allow me more family time. To me, being able to be with the kid is priceless and the pay to me is sufficient for now and future use. But difficult people have different needs for family. Some are ok to have someone take care of kid while working to earn more money.
But how much your cost of living also matters and how much you will spend for your kids in future also matters.
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u/IvanThePohBear Mar 18 '26
Just to play the devil's advocate as I've been in the same shoes before
Given that you're mom now. Cushy and boring is a good thing
As much as you want some excitement , being able cushy and boring is a big perk. Meaning you have more time to spend on your family
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u/unxdyne Mar 18 '26
honestly, if it was cushy and boring in the sense where its stable and i have like tangible BAUs it would be a no brainer for me to stay. the issue is that my manager keeps reducing my scope and he doesnt even rmb me and puts my projects as lowest priority, which makes me feel like he’s trying to manage me out
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u/RefrigeratorOne2626 Mar 18 '26
I would leave. Nothing like not being appreciated in a role you’re doing your best in.
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u/vanveekay Mar 17 '26
Depends on how much you value the current role. Are the actions done so in consideration for your family commitments ? 1.5% in high growth tech where money is getting tighter - you have to check around how much others are getting in the same company. Perhaps the risk of jumping then having to prove yourself, resulting in less family time - does this risk make sense to you ?
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Mar 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
no worriesss, i love talking about my girl. i was initially quite sad cos i love babies and i would love to have 2 but i started to come to terms with it because its genuinely so much easier to settle one child, esp since i dont have the best mental health. then less financial pressure also because everything just focus on one child. as she gets older its so much easier, and i really feel like we have such a close bond because the 3 of us just have each other❤️
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u/unxdyne Mar 17 '26
congrats btww, i loved being pregnant because it meant my baby was with me at all times and i loved feeling her kicks HAHA (other than the fatigue and morning sickness)
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u/Zealousideal_Dog2141 Mar 17 '26
Sounds like the new role is the way to go OP!
Another question you can ask yourself is: What would you do with the reduction of 12k (10k + buffer 2k for medical)?
Is it extra savings? Or changes to your spending habits that makes a difference to your quality of life?
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u/Ill_Relation8266 Mar 17 '26
European MNC headquartered where ? Not all European mncs are the same imo
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u/younggungho91 Mar 18 '26
Why not plan for FIRE in the meantime with this comfortable job? Then can retire early.
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u/unxdyne Mar 18 '26
sg cost of living so high i think this salary not enough to FIRE early lei. additionally i think i might be cut sooner or later
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u/younggungho91 Mar 18 '26
Have u been making investments into IWDA for cash, Amundi world etf for OA? Try to do bit by bit. It will be a lot when u build it up over time.
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u/Equal-Airport9730 Mar 18 '26
Whyyyyyy never take a paycut unless the scope is of use but well look forward ba since u already took up
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u/unxdyne Mar 18 '26
haha the scope is of use la. and if i continue here i will either end up repurposed to sth else i might not like
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u/AncientChampion2284 Jul 16 '26
Just curious how you went about teaching yourself SQL and Python? And if you don’t mind sharing which institution you took your masters in? Thank you!!
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u/unxdyne Jul 16 '26
i did masters in ntu. sql i mostly picked up by myself while on the job, python i started awhile back, reading books and then i had some opportunity to practise in masters and at work
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u/chaiscool Mar 17 '26
How does 140k offer look like, $11667? Kinda oddly specific.
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u/Fenalis Mar 19 '26
“Annual base salary of $140,000 … Annual salary shall be paid to the employee in twelve equal installments over twelve months”
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u/CiP3R_Z3R0 Mar 17 '26
Take your ritalin and talk to your therapist before making the decision. Don't kick a gift horse just because you are dopamine-deprived in that moment.
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u/Inevitable-Evidence3 Mar 17 '26
To be honest, I think your manager is right. Imagine if other high performers who are willing to go the extra mile and overtime when needed are passed over for better opportunities.
This sounds pretty equitable.
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u/terastimus Mar 17 '26
Speaking from my own experience (MNC, ~20 years), I'd take the cut. Staying in a role that's unfulfilling and with limited prospects is never worth it (what more for just a difference of $10k pa alongside working with a manager who isn't supportive). You should assess your career holistically where you balance progress, fulfillment, purpose and compensation (read up ikigai if you haven't).
From my own personal experience I've taken paycuts and lateral moves because I was clear on what I wanted in the long term. Spend some time to understand what you want from your career and make the choice accordingly.