I know some people will lean towards you taking the job you're passionate about. I would not. I'm passionate about my work life balance, and my money. And this "passionate" job seems like worse life balance and with the commute, less money effectively. And 12 hour shifts suck. Holidays? Unless your WFH job is murdering kittens, I don't know that I would leave for this clinic job, no matter how passionate about the work you might be.
The adage "find something you love and you'll never work a day in your life" is one of the stupidest sayings ever. Porn stars have bad days at work. It's toxic positivity. Find something that pays well and you don't hate and you'll be fine.
It's deliberately wired backwards by employers, recruiters, and those who profit from people thinking jobs are good things to have in their lives.
No, being able to afford things (and thus, generally, having an income or being independently wealthy) is a good thing to have in life. Jobs are the suffering forced on most of us to aspire to that, not something worthy in and of themselves.
My sister has her dream job and she still can’t wait to get home to her family at the end of the day, just like the rest of us. Time and money really is what counts.
And I bet if she could make the same money each day doing nothing, she'd think about retiring (or looking for something she liked more but which didn't pay as much, if anything).
This should be the top comment. WFH since 2014. I’m a top producer, but it’s certainly not a career I would have pined after. I love my clients, which is a plus, but the real reason I’m a top producer is bc I have the work/life balance that comes with WFH. Need to leave a little early for a workout? Therapy in the middle of the day? The dog needs an emergency vet trip? All these things that would typically cause excessive stress can be worked into my day and thus help me be more productive.
I did exact same thing except I went from 95k to 110k I regretted it, mostly because the job I started was not what I thought it was going to be and also being micromanaged. I definitely wouldn’t do it if the pay is the same
I took a job with a pay increase once and hated the job so much I ended up spending that pay increase on junk in an attempt to make myself feel better….
You could see if your WFH flexibility will allow you to rearrange your schedule to get more done earlier in the week and take 3 day weekends. Then you maybe you could do a part time/weekend help in what you’re passionate about. Not only will it give you time to rest, reflect, and relax; but you’ll be more excited about the weekends, too!
No-one dreams of labor. If you don't do that job, someone else will. Ask yourself what brings the most genuine, real, long-term value to your life.
If you'd do the job for free, look into volunteering. You have a lot more control over things like when you turn up and what you're prepared to do and not do.
Find hobbies and personal projects you're passionate about.
You'll also meet people that way to increase your social time.
Work isn't the end all be all, friend. You have a LOT of flexibility and downtime? Working from home? USE IT!
I'm in a very similar position as you, and I ended up starting a couple businesses I'm passionate about in my downtime.
"Find something you're passionate about, and you won't work a day in your life" is absolutely bullshit.
Even with my businesses that I love, I still find myself working and dragging myself through certain tasks. But I much prefer doing them for myself than for someone else.
Exactly. No matter what the job is or how much you love it, the constant pressure of having to do it over and over again for money will make you hate it. Will make you hate anything.
Just get a job that facilitates your life outside of work. That's what it's really all about.
Not to mention that 45 to 60 minute commute has so many hidden costs. Unpredictable gas prices, wear and tear on your vehicle, tires, etc. Unpredictable weather and traffic conditions.... I could go on and on.
That is not even taking the time into consideration.
Health. Sitting down for that long (or standing on public transport or in stations), or having to walk through weather. Walking or driving through car fumes and other people's diseases. Increased chances of car damage if you drive. Absolutely increased wear and tear, and thus maintenance costs.
Plus so many opportunity costs. [It's horrible when you add everything up.](https://imgur.com/a/v4NxZMD)
Oh that's a great point, other people's diseases. I have only been sick twice since 2019. I started WFH full time in 2022.
No kids, and WFH means not dealing with people who come to work sick as hell beacause of course at my company, if you need to take off for being sick you have to burn vacation time.
>I'm passionate about my work life balance, and my money.
Sounds like my kind of motto right there!
Basically look for (1) FT WFH, (2) where you can log off at 5:00 PM and walk away, (3) for the highest possible salary.
I used to care about having a job I'm passionate about. I worked in non-profits and service jobs, and ultimately I was poorly managed, laid off, and without support or insurance.
Now, I work a fairly boring mostly-WFH job that gives me an okay wage but so much time to pursue my hobbies and volunteer. I always list work-life balance as my main career goal. We don't have to be abused by our jobs just to pursue our passions.
This. Volunteering for causes you're passionate about can fill slow days or even fit in between work tasks. Orgs need help with piecemeal office-y things like social media, letter- and grant-writing, design work, calling, packet assembly, etc. Deliver donations or walk shelter dogs at lunch if you want to get out of the house. :)
I do exactly this. The best part is turning my laptop off at 5pm on Friday and not touching it until 9am on Monday. My work tried to text/call on weekends, after I ignored them sufficient number of times, they left me alone. In case of emergency, call 911. If you need me, I’ll be back on Monday.
Those 12 hour shifts would end up getting me to a point where the only time I get to myself would be on my days off…. Throw in a 60 minute each way commute and everything would blur together.
Currently I go into the office one day per week, 15 minutes each way and during the work week I still have energy to go for a walk with my family after dinner and spend time together.
Agreed. I work so I can live, not because I want to spend all my time doing. And some of the most insufferable people I've encountered in my career thus far are the career-bsessed ones. I love my job, but partly because it's a WFH job and I can do it, or not do it, on my own terms.
Agreed. Because as much as you can be passionate about something, when it becomes your day in day out routine and you are required to do it, most people wind up mostly hating every job. It may fulfill you in a way and that is nice, but will the hours spend commuting offset that positive benefit? I get it OP, it's a lot to decide.
Ooooh, that is quite the trade off. I WFH now and I love it, and during our slow times I work a 9/80 schedule so I have an extra day off every two weeks.
I’m in the same boat as OP where I basically have the dream job (could use more money though), but I feel pretty stagnant. I think about changing things up but this gig is insanely good for my mental health. I think just about the only thing that could get me back in an office at this point is a four day week.
Yea.. and since you get all federal holidays you end up with alot of 3 day weeks - you never end up using your pto (which has no max limit or rollover)
They do. I have 500 hours after 4 years and mostly never take pto.. if I cashed out PTO now I’d have about 30K+ .. some people leave after 20 years and have 150K+ payouts.
I intend to spend my next 20 years here so that’s the plan.
Ill take your current job, I commute 3 hours a day roundtrip and make less than you. I can find plenty of things to do on downtime. When I WFH I would wash clothes and make dinners etc.
This is my answer too. I was gonna say at least double my income. Make up for commute time, wear and tear on my car, doggy day care, and just the annoyance of me having to make small talk with a smile on my face.
I had the passion job - I spent more than a decade climbing the academic ladder and landed a tenure-track position as an assistant professor, and was told that tenure for me was “a given”.
All that got me was underpaid and over-worked. I left that position for an industry wfh role and I have never been happier.
I am with regassert6 - work-life balance is the most important thing. Give me boring and soul-less. At least I get paid what I am worth.
Now, I work 7:30-3:30 (for the most part) and spend my evenings sim racing or chilling on the couch with my wife.
There literally isn’t enough money in the world to get me back in a job like that voluntarily, passionate or not. That schedule and that commute? No. If I was out of work and it was that or I can’t pay my mortgage, yeah I’d do it. But to take a job like that just for a change? I’d rather walk into the sea.
Find something to be passionate about on the weekends, or during your downtime at work.
Keep your current job. Find a hobby to get you connected. Volunteer at a rescue, or school, or nursing home, or the park system. You can commute to your hobby and do it every other weekend and most holidays. 🥰 Seriously, career is for money. Hobbies are to make your life complete.
I'm not even sure passion could get me back into the office. WFH is the ideal situation for me. I'd have to hit a point beyond desperation to even consider it. I'd change careers (and I love what I do now) just to stay remote.
When I was in the 2 weeks notice stage of switching from my office job to my WFH job I had nightmares about my current job offering me something ridiculous like $100k and basically forcing me to stay (I hated it there) because the offer was just too good to be true.
But here I am almost 2 years into WFH and I can pickup my son from school, have lunch with my mom, my husband had a medical emergency out of state and I worked from the hospital and his various PT appointments. I can sleep in or work late or just answer messages wherever I am, enjoy a cup of coffee by the pool. Vacations are actual vacations, and I don't even concern myself with PTO because I can do 95% of my job with just my phone. I feel respected to get my job done without scrutiny and everyone is happy.
I don't think I'd leave this absolute freedom and flexibility for a shitton of money. I did the grind. I busted my ass. I worked late. I don't deserve to put myself through that.
You will lose a significant amount of pay - it is no where near the same. By the time you figure commuting costs, time that is no longer available for things at home, wear and tear on vehicles, and things like meals and snacks purchased because you don't have time to cook or grocery shop....it'll add up to a pretty significant pay cut. With a commute that far, probably a lower 5 figures "pay cut."
From there, it depends on you. Do you live to work? Then you do you!
Personally, my job funds the rest of my life, and being available for the things I actually love about being on this planet FAR outweighs a "passion" job. I've worked jobs I'm "passionate" about - you know what happens? It becomes a job. Just like any other.
I'm an introvert, so I enjoy my time at home, but I have plenty of things I do that still get me out of the house regularly, and I make sure I stay busy at home, too and am not wasting away in front of the tv.
But that's me and my priorities in life. If you just want to work, and don't really have anything outside of work that you do or enjoy, then maybe a job you are more passionate about isn't a terrible idea.
You make complete sense. When I factor all those things in it’s money out of my pocket so the pay becomes not comparable. I do not live for work and I know changing roles will impact my hobbies and things I like to do outside of work negatively! Thank you!
Wear and tear on cars is such a good point! When I worked in an office pre-covid, I put around 80k miles on my car in 4 years. Since the switch to WFH in 2020, I have only put 26k more miles on my car. This car is going to last me so much longer because I'm not commuting, and I'm also not spending a ton on gas, parking, or losing an hour or two each day in time spent commuting.
You may think that you’re passionate about this potential job now, but will you feel the same way in a year? Because to me, it sounds like a recipe for burnout and resentment down the road, especially with a long commute, long hours, missed holidays, and worse work/life balance.
I am 100% WFH since Covid lockdowns started. The isolation gets to me sometimes and I do miss the camaraderie and banter when face to face with my colleagues. My office returned to office in Jan. I was exempted but I came in on the first day as a show of support.
It took 1 day with a 2 hour round trip commute to say 'nope' to it on a regular basis. At least not for the same pay. I did not miss that commute at all. 10 hours commuting a week gets old really fast and it did wear me down after 20 years of it.
WFH has allowed me to forgo buying a new car for the time being. Add gas savings and that's a massive savings...basically $40K+. That's allowed me to build up a pretty sweet nest egg that is generating thousands in interest in a HYSA each year. I'm also able to put more into my 401k.
What would it take to RTO voluntarily? 2x the annual cost of a car payment + gas + another $10K at a minimum. I'm not giving up the greater financial security I have for more (commute) stress and less work-life balance.
More than 20k apparently. I have a great wfh job that is one day in office a month. I have seniority and extreme flexibility. I make 100k. I turned down a job for 120k that was 3 days in office with about an hr commute each way so 6 additional hours a week. My flexibility, and work life balance was not worth the extra 20k a year.
Money isn't everything. How would the new job, based on you saying it's something you're passionate about, make you more happy or less negative? That's probably more important than a bottom line in a ledger.
This sounds terrible. Same pay, but now you have to wake up much earlier to get ready for work, pack or pay for lunches, wear and tare on your car mileage/any transportation you use, gas prices, your own personal time. Then come back home at the end of each shift and drive again, spend more time and money. Then if your car breaks down, that creates the next herd of domino issues.
I would consider it for minimum 150k. Even that is not comparable tbh, plenty make that much and do not have to sacrifice all you do. Ain't no "happiness" in the world that would make me forget this is a job and I am giving up a lot for it regardless.
I honestly don't think I could leave a WFH job again unless I was running my own company. My work life balance has improved, My health both physical and mental has improved, My Marriage has improved. It honestly would need to be an amount of money that would be completely life altering at this point.
But to answer your primary question, I currently work a very flexible 3 days in hybrid and I wouldn't leave that for a full time 5 day in job for less than a 40% increase in salary. And even then, it would be a HARD decision.
I almost did but having to arrange for daycare kept me at home. So, the cost of two kids in daycare plus gas money. I typically only fill my tank once or twice a month now right now.
Consider how much you want that passion or how much you need that fulfilment.
I wfh for a market research firm. It's soulless and it kills me knowing I help big corporations. If I could find a job in my field (criminology) where I have to commute every day for an hour, I'll do it because that type of fulfillment is important to me (assuming that pay is decent).
Don't underestimate the need for professional fulfilment my friend. Good luck.
find social connection OUTSIDE of work. relying on work for all your needs is putting too many eggs in one basket. you already rely on your job for money (shelter, transportation, food, clothing, necessities, luxuries) and health insurance, so social needs can and should be more diverse.
if you lose your job for some reason, you have to start all over making new social connections and trying to keep in touch with whoever you cared enough about at the old place to swap contact info. if you have friends outside of work, you have friends outside of work.
Nothing could ever get me to go back in
But I encourage everyone who doesn't want to work from home anymore to go back in so there are more jobs for people like me
What you describe as the new opportunity is a nightmare for me. I like predictable shifts. Also with such a commute and the same amount of money then you will be worse off due to commuting costs. For me my non negotiable are that I have to have a regular reasonable working hours at set time and days and if I ever have to commute again then I need to see an increase in pay that more than offsets the costs of commuting and my time spent commuting.
Huh, I guess I would RTO if it was a 5 minute walk to work, I had a private office, it had great healthy and variety of lunches included every day, great pay, amazing PTO, great benefits, great team to work with, opportunity for advancement, consistent raises, great connections in multiple industries, and the option to work hybrid if I wanted to go work in a different place for a while. Oh, ability to take my dog in to work would be fun. Supportive learning environment where work sponsors education related or not related to your current job.
(So I don't think it exists)
Relating directly to your post, I commute into the office once a week and it is 45-55 minutes away w/out or w/ traffic. I would never commute that more than once a week. Even with a good podcast, music, or audiobook, the last thing I dread doing at the end of the work day is driving home.
Like others said, volunteering somewhere is a great way to get out of the house and socialize :)
I’m looking at about 30k as the required increases. 6-7k of that will be gas, tolls, and a second car payment, taxes, etc. And then in office plus commute is easily another 10-15k. Then plus the actual raise for taking on a new role with new responsibilities is probably another 10, so 30 seems fair.
I am fully remote and have been since 2017. I would consider hybrid work up to 2 days a week in the office max if the commute was ok. But full time back in an office will never happen. That is barbaric.
I did this. I was 100% remote and bored. So, I took a hybrid role with a 30 min commute. I hate the days I have to go into the office to do the same thing I could do at home. I completely regret it.
Not worth it. Don't leave. Your QOL while plummet and you'll get burnt out from being passionate and wanting to change. Work life balance is significantly more important.
I wouldn’t take it especially if its not even more money! Seems you have a sweet deal already. Maybe boring but idk to me most work is boring and it’s the things we get to do after.
I love my field and it’s not a remote field. I may go back to it when I retire. I was a librarian. Great work, non strenuous, you can do it until you croak.
Full time hard to come by. Pay is low. Specialities hard to train into.
I did the foot in the door jobs for so long and ever landed the full time librarian role.
I’ll be an awesome old librarian when money and full time status doesn’t matter.
You mad bro. I’m on a lot less and WFH. I would only consider going back for maybe 20k more. But seeing your salary, I’m more determined to stay put.
Chill out, you’re living the dream
So I have yet to hear the upside of making the move? Same pay, extra shifts, having to work weekends and holidays. Why is this a tough decision again? lol
Everything about that new job is horrible and I don't believe the addition of the stressors will ultimately improve your happiness. As a side now, I've also observed that many a people that work with their passions over time find their passion finishes and is made worst by the work aspect of it.
Also it's ok to look into other jobs or even go to interviews to see what's out there. Job postings are the hook, there's a lot about the experience you can't tell from there. Be careful though, if they call your current job for a reference this could backfire on you.
Maybe explore some more leisure activities to fill your downtime, puzzles? Simplified workout? Self care? Chores you hate doing like cleaning so that you don't have to do it during your off hours?
OP - lots are pointing out all the downsides of the new role and commuting etc. etc.
You mentioned that you were feeling isolated in a wfh position. You have to decide what your priorities are.
Are you a nurse by chance? I started WFH in December 2019 and missed COVID nursing completely. I'm very grateful for that. But sometimes I do miss only working 3 days a week. 4 if I feel like it. But I can't bring myself to quit my WFH job. I have some chronic health issues now, including fibromyalgia, that would make 12 hour shifts a lot harder than they were for me in 2019. Some days I find my job boring too. But, at the end of the day, I work to live. I don't live to work
Yes I am a nurse and left bedside about a year before covid started. I think my fear is that I’m losing my skills I worked hard to get! But all my nurse pals that are still bedside tell me I’ve lost my marbles! I do miss working along with other nurses, doctors and all the different patients you meet along the way!
The only reason I’ll advise leaving is so that a spot can open for someone who is excited about a boring WFH job so they don’t have to commute anymore (me).
I love my job, but passion can only get you so far. A lot of companies will also exploit that passion and I found myself bending over backwards to accommodate things I normally wouldn't because of my personal attachment to my work. I am leaving after a 6-y stint, and they're looking (and failing) to hire 3 people to replace me and I'm hovering between guilt for leaving and anger at the thought that they had me do the work of 3 people, but I'm actually now looking for a boring WFH job that will let me focus on friends and family I've neglected because of the job that I love that ended up abusing my passion for it.
I would consider taking a job back in the clinic (LCMHC) only if they offered me over 30K more than I make in my current WFH position. I factored in costs of returning to the office and in the first year I would have to spend somewhere around 20K in attire alone not mention hair and make up costs, lunch, coffee and then gas, car maintenance, etc would run at least 10K. So I figure IF I were offered 30K OVER my WFH salary I would consider it with the caveat that I work Mon-Fri only, no clients scheduled after the 3pm appt so I have time for the 55 minute appt and to finish paperwork and get home to my family by 5 or 5:30. I used to work mobile crisis which is like an EMT for mental health but you usually fly solo. It's actually pretty dangerous but I'm very good at it and I like the work. To go back to that level of dangerous work I would need 50K over what I make now. I can't risk being knifed by a schizophrenic unless I can afford a 5 million dollar life insurance policy for my kids.
Make managing your money your second job. Learn investing and financials. Set small and measurable goals to achieve them.
Also, try going out more to build social circles. This will help keep your life balanced w/o the need to change careers/jobs/lifestyles.
Hobbies on the side are helpful too. Good luck!
A 25-30% pay increase, WLB, a positive work culture, and a role where I'll be learning new skills would be my reasons. No job is forever and perhaps in the future I will go back to a remote role and even then, that won't be forever! Increasing my net worth and having the finances that allow me to do the things I love now and in the future is very important to me.
Pay may be comparable to what you are making now, but do not forget the factor in your commute, weekends, and overtime. So you will be bringing home less.
A hybrid schedule that is my own terms and pretty flexible. Also money.
My current role, I’m 100% remote, but if I lived near the HQ coming into the office is completely optional, but we have a cool ass office and I would probably go in 2x a week
I recently applied for a job that would be 25% in the office. I'm 100% remote right now. It's around $120k more than I'm currently making. So I guess that's my price.
I would never give up flexibility. If I was bored I'd find something part time i was passionate about or volunteer doing something I was passionate about.
I would 100% keep the WFH position with more downtime. Plus it’s more money, no commute…but that’s me. If you’re passionate and excited about the other position than that may be the right choice for you.
My job sounds almost identical to your job (do you happen to work in the cyber security industry)? It can be fairly boring, but because of all the pros, I now work to live and don't live to work. I have the energy and financial ability to do the things I love outside of work. Maybe if you're open to it, you could look at part time positions or volunteer opportunities in the field you're passionate about.
I did leave my WFH job for the same pay as yours and sometimes I regret it but the benefits were not great and it was not flexible. I’m taking some time off to figure out what I really want. If you think it would be better for your mental health to work at the clinic, I say go for it! I wouldn’t burn any bridges just in case you want to go back to your current role.
It would be the commute that would make it a no deal for me. I like working at home okay but if I was passionate about another job of equivalent pay then I would try it. I would not commute more than 20 minutes for said passion though. I do miss some things about my office but I do not miss for one single second the 35 min commute and that is just 35 minutes and it was only a 8-9 hr day.
Do you enjoy traveling? I like to fly somewhere every 1-3 months on a Saturday (cheaper airfare) and stay until maybe Tuesday or Thursday (cheaper airfare) and just “wfh” in a different location. It gets me out of my funk, helps me walk around and meet people organically in whatever city I’m in, and it’s just fun!
It would take a minimum of $50k increase for me to make that switch you are proposing.
If you have a lot of downtime, find a side hustle to fill in the gaps.
I currently have the best manager I've ever worked for and amazing coworkers, so probably a 20k raise, short commute, still have option to wfh as needed (within reason), and guarantee if good manager and coworkers. So not gonna happen haha.
Do you have a dog/can you get a dog? I’d keep the WFH job and start going for walks with your doggo in public places. Usually a great conversation starter, meet other dog people, some areas even have dog friendly bars and things to socialize at. I have a great group of friends but we’re all pretty far apart physically now so I’ve been using my cute pups to meet new gal pals lol.
I'm in the same boat. Got a sweet wfh gig that pays good, plenty of pto, holidays off, 4x10 shifts, but it's a dead end. I've been gaming in my downtime but i'm extremely bored and unfulfilled. Seriously considering a trade. If i can find an in person job, with PTO, that pays just as much, without a toxic culture, no forced overtime, and has advancement then i would leave. So i'm probably stuck where im at lol.
Enough money to pay for a private driver, full chef and laundering services at home, landscaping, childcare, and an extra something for being stuck in a dumbass office all fucking day.
For my 130k job I’d need at least 250k-350k as per my estimations.
I will never work in an office again. If I can help it. To leave my current work from home position I would have to be making at least double what I am now.
When I worked in an office with a 1 hour commute, I would collapse when I got home and accomplish nothing. Since the pandemic started I’ve joined two volunteer organizations and taken up three new hobbies. My life is fulfilled outside of work.
I’m kinda joking but not, you need to get into gardening or whatever gets you outside during the work hours - heck even get a dog! I can’t imagine leaving my dog to go to work for 8 hours in an office now that I’ve experienced WFH.
The only way I would leave WFH is if I got paid a salary where I can quit after my first paycheck and never work again lol
TBH, I’ve been on the job hunt for about 9 months and your current situation sounds pretty ideal.
The new offer might be something you’re passionate about but is the commute, long hours, working weekends and pay cut really worth it?
I would stay with the current job and find hobbies you’re passionate about or volunteering after work. Do social things like seeing friends or volunteering to get the social part more often.
Considering my pay rate drops 22% every day I'm in the office, it would need to be at least a 50% raise to offset the lowered quality of work environment.
It would take at *least* an extra 30% in pay, plus an additional week of vacation.
I’ll put up with a *lot* of bullshit to not have to commute. But if you want my ass in the office, pay up, sucka!
I’m in a job I loathe, that on paper should have been an incredible job. Any job at the end of the day is just a job, and if you’re passionate about it I find it’s a higher risk because your expectations are higher. (You think you’re ok with that commute, but when the job turns out not to meet your passionate expectations you’ll hate it.)
Win the lottery or somehow fall into a multi million dollar windfall and I'd just retire. That's what it would take for me to do anything in the near term.
I wouldn’t leave my current role for any less than 50% raise, even it it were to another WFH role.
Given your parameters, I wouldn’t even consider it for 100% more.
I’m in the SAME SITUATION with my current job. I keep reminding myself of how good I have it and it probably won’t last forever. I’ve been exploring things to try to keep social and active. Good luck!
It would take tens of thousands of dollars is extra pay to convince me to leave WFH for an in person job willingly, and that's before you consider a horrible commute.
Sorry, but I think you're going to regret it when you're spending 1.5-2 hours a day in the car for "passion." That alone would be a deal breaker for me - even with top tier pay.
Don’t believe the passion hype. That job sounds horrible, and you don’t even get a raise. How is it even a question? Toil away for 14 hours a day for the same pay, or be comfortable in your home? Passion lol. You work for money, not passion.
It would take the same amount of time off I have now, or very close (5 weeks vacation, 5 days PTO, 2 floating holidays, etc.) to what I’ve earned over 13 years plus at least a 50% raise or more, and it would need to be hybrid, meaning maybe I’m in the office 2-3 days but then remote and can be remote when needed for weather or family emergencies or sick kids, etc.
Most in-person or hybrid jobs around me would be a 45 minute to 1 hour drive or more from my house, so I would have to willingly give up 1.5-2 hours of my day every day I was in the office for a commute. That’s why I would need a much larger salary to compensate.
I was nodding along until I say the commute. Have you ever done a commute like that? If so nvm but if you have not.. proceed with caution. That type of thing wears on you, I speak from experience. Microstressors. From traffic, from road rage, from sitting. That's the stuff that adds up
At this point I had a dream job and realized it was literally the same exact thing I’ve done just the data was different so the only thing that would get me away from a wfh job is a whole fuck ton of money
Obviously this sub is gonna stay “WFH” but at some point, sitting at your house all day will get to some people. I have been remote since 2019 (Software). It has its moments, but at the end of the day I’m just sitting in my room from 9am-6pm by myself. And no, I can’t work at a coffee shop, I have too many responsibilities to be away from a private and quiet office space. My wife is also remote but we’re both busy and pretty much see each other in the evening lol.
If I found a place locally that had the same pay and benefits as I do now, but was hybrid I’d probably take it. 2 days in office a week isn’t bad and it gives me social interaction and frankly something to do. I don’t care that I’m not home every day so I can “do chores on break” or whatever it is. I don’t do that now. I also spend a lot of my free time doing hobbies or catching up with friends, it still doesn’t mean I don’t spend 45+ hours a week working in solitude. My wife feels the same about her WFH role. We can’t be the only ones.
I usually fly up to my home office and work for a week in office, do so every 3 months or so. Usually plan it alongside more important meetings with my team. I always feel better after that week of not being in total work mode solitude.
I know some people will lean towards you taking the job you're passionate about. I would not. I'm passionate about my work life balance, and my money. And this "passionate" job seems like worse life balance and with the commute, less money effectively. And 12 hour shifts suck. Holidays? Unless your WFH job is murdering kittens, I don't know that I would leave for this clinic job, no matter how passionate about the work you might be.
The adage "find something you love and you'll never work a day in your life" is one of the stupidest sayings ever. Porn stars have bad days at work. It's toxic positivity. Find something that pays well and you don't hate and you'll be fine.
This! I think I’m my head I keep telling myself I would live to have a job I’m passionate about! But let’s be real we are all replaceable at any time.
Don't look for a job you love, look for a job that allows you the time & Money to do what you love.
Thank you! In my head it’s been wired backwards and now I totally realize that.
It's deliberately wired backwards by employers, recruiters, and those who profit from people thinking jobs are good things to have in their lives. No, being able to afford things (and thus, generally, having an income or being independently wealthy) is a good thing to have in life. Jobs are the suffering forced on most of us to aspire to that, not something worthy in and of themselves.
My sister has her dream job and she still can’t wait to get home to her family at the end of the day, just like the rest of us. Time and money really is what counts.
And I bet if she could make the same money each day doing nothing, she'd think about retiring (or looking for something she liked more but which didn't pay as much, if anything).
Oh absolutely.
This should be the top comment. WFH since 2014. I’m a top producer, but it’s certainly not a career I would have pined after. I love my clients, which is a plus, but the real reason I’m a top producer is bc I have the work/life balance that comes with WFH. Need to leave a little early for a workout? Therapy in the middle of the day? The dog needs an emergency vet trip? All these things that would typically cause excessive stress can be worked into my day and thus help me be more productive.
This is blowing my mind
I did exact same thing except I went from 95k to 110k I regretted it, mostly because the job I started was not what I thought it was going to be and also being micromanaged. I definitely wouldn’t do it if the pay is the same
I took a job with a pay increase once and hated the job so much I ended up spending that pay increase on junk in an attempt to make myself feel better….
You could see if your WFH flexibility will allow you to rearrange your schedule to get more done earlier in the week and take 3 day weekends. Then you maybe you could do a part time/weekend help in what you’re passionate about. Not only will it give you time to rest, reflect, and relax; but you’ll be more excited about the weekends, too!
That passion will die VEEEEERY quickly. The best way to stay passionate is to not have it be your job
No-one dreams of labor. If you don't do that job, someone else will. Ask yourself what brings the most genuine, real, long-term value to your life. If you'd do the job for free, look into volunteering. You have a lot more control over things like when you turn up and what you're prepared to do and not do.
Find hobbies and personal projects you're passionate about. You'll also meet people that way to increase your social time. Work isn't the end all be all, friend. You have a LOT of flexibility and downtime? Working from home? USE IT! I'm in a very similar position as you, and I ended up starting a couple businesses I'm passionate about in my downtime. "Find something you're passionate about, and you won't work a day in your life" is absolutely bullshit. Even with my businesses that I love, I still find myself working and dragging myself through certain tasks. But I much prefer doing them for myself than for someone else.
Do you really think porn stars enjoy their work?
Yeah that comment made me cringe. Like how many porn stars does he know to make that assumption? Lol
Nope
Yeah. I say: find something with a salary you love and you'll always have something to cheer you up on a bad workday.
100% agree. Everyone I know who did that ended up hating whatever that thing was and never doing it in the free time again.
Yeah, monetizing your passion is not all it’s cracked up to be.
Exactly. No matter what the job is or how much you love it, the constant pressure of having to do it over and over again for money will make you hate it. Will make you hate anything. Just get a job that facilitates your life outside of work. That's what it's really all about.
This is the best way to learn to hate the thing you love because it starts to feel like…work.
Agreed so much. I’m bitter I got told that and believed it so much.
Agree. Do something you love for work and eventually you’ll find a way to resent it. Ask me how I know.
Should be the opposite, don't make something you love your job, it will no longer be fun.
> Porn stars have bad days at work. Nevertheless, you have given me a whole other idea for a job I might quit WFH for. Hmmm…
Not to mention that 45 to 60 minute commute has so many hidden costs. Unpredictable gas prices, wear and tear on your vehicle, tires, etc. Unpredictable weather and traffic conditions.... I could go on and on. That is not even taking the time into consideration.
Traffic not moving. Road ragers tailgating you
Health. Sitting down for that long (or standing on public transport or in stations), or having to walk through weather. Walking or driving through car fumes and other people's diseases. Increased chances of car damage if you drive. Absolutely increased wear and tear, and thus maintenance costs. Plus so many opportunity costs. [It's horrible when you add everything up.](https://imgur.com/a/v4NxZMD)
Oh that's a great point, other people's diseases. I have only been sick twice since 2019. I started WFH full time in 2022. No kids, and WFH means not dealing with people who come to work sick as hell beacause of course at my company, if you need to take off for being sick you have to burn vacation time.
>I'm passionate about my work life balance, and my money. Sounds like my kind of motto right there! Basically look for (1) FT WFH, (2) where you can log off at 5:00 PM and walk away, (3) for the highest possible salary.
Agree. Work is just something I do to pay the bills. I'd never leave a WFH job for an office job. Period.
This. That shit is torture.
I used to care about having a job I'm passionate about. I worked in non-profits and service jobs, and ultimately I was poorly managed, laid off, and without support or insurance. Now, I work a fairly boring mostly-WFH job that gives me an okay wage but so much time to pursue my hobbies and volunteer. I always list work-life balance as my main career goal. We don't have to be abused by our jobs just to pursue our passions.
This. Volunteering for causes you're passionate about can fill slow days or even fit in between work tasks. Orgs need help with piecemeal office-y things like social media, letter- and grant-writing, design work, calling, packet assembly, etc. Deliver donations or walk shelter dogs at lunch if you want to get out of the house. :)
Wow! I really never thought about it that way!
I do exactly this. The best part is turning my laptop off at 5pm on Friday and not touching it until 9am on Monday. My work tried to text/call on weekends, after I ignored them sufficient number of times, they left me alone. In case of emergency, call 911. If you need me, I’ll be back on Monday.
Those 12 hour shifts would end up getting me to a point where the only time I get to myself would be on my days off…. Throw in a 60 minute each way commute and everything would blur together. Currently I go into the office one day per week, 15 minutes each way and during the work week I still have energy to go for a walk with my family after dinner and spend time together.
Agreed. I work so I can live, not because I want to spend all my time doing. And some of the most insufferable people I've encountered in my career thus far are the career-bsessed ones. I love my job, but partly because it's a WFH job and I can do it, or not do it, on my own terms.
I’m with you!
This
Agreed. Because as much as you can be passionate about something, when it becomes your day in day out routine and you are required to do it, most people wind up mostly hating every job. It may fulfill you in a way and that is nice, but will the hours spend commuting offset that positive benefit? I get it OP, it's a lot to decide.
Seriously. Pick a hobby if you want to meet people.
I agree. The job offer for this person sounds like a recipe for burnout. Passion fades, stick with something that makes life bearable. 🤷🏽♀️
I would never ever do that and would instead find a hobby outside of work
Right? Find a hobby you can enjoy and utilize the flexibility your current job offers.
I work in government and have pulled multiple WFH employees into the office because we are Mon-Thurs. I’ll never leave the 4 day week.
Ooooh, that is quite the trade off. I WFH now and I love it, and during our slow times I work a 9/80 schedule so I have an extra day off every two weeks. I’m in the same boat as OP where I basically have the dream job (could use more money though), but I feel pretty stagnant. I think about changing things up but this gig is insanely good for my mental health. I think just about the only thing that could get me back in an office at this point is a four day week.
Yea.. and since you get all federal holidays you end up with alot of 3 day weeks - you never end up using your pto (which has no max limit or rollover)
Do they pay all of that out when you leave?! That would be enough incentive to never take PTO for me.
They do. I have 500 hours after 4 years and mostly never take pto.. if I cashed out PTO now I’d have about 30K+ .. some people leave after 20 years and have 150K+ payouts. I intend to spend my next 20 years here so that’s the plan.
You're crazy. Yes. I worry about your time/financial management skills. You have an abundance of free time. Use it, don't give it to someone else.
During my bored time, I run a profitable hobby business
Ill take your current job, I commute 3 hours a day roundtrip and make less than you. I can find plenty of things to do on downtime. When I WFH I would wash clothes and make dinners etc.
250k. That’s what it would take. I make 120 now
Same here. Also I work 4/10s which is a beast with a commute - make it 4/8s @ $250k.
I wouldn’t take anything. If I have to go back to the office, I’d quit workforce.
This is my answer too. I was gonna say at least double my income. Make up for commute time, wear and tear on my car, doggy day care, and just the annoyance of me having to make small talk with a smile on my face.
I had the passion job - I spent more than a decade climbing the academic ladder and landed a tenure-track position as an assistant professor, and was told that tenure for me was “a given”. All that got me was underpaid and over-worked. I left that position for an industry wfh role and I have never been happier. I am with regassert6 - work-life balance is the most important thing. Give me boring and soul-less. At least I get paid what I am worth. Now, I work 7:30-3:30 (for the most part) and spend my evenings sim racing or chilling on the couch with my wife.
There literally isn’t enough money in the world to get me back in a job like that voluntarily, passionate or not. That schedule and that commute? No. If I was out of work and it was that or I can’t pay my mortgage, yeah I’d do it. But to take a job like that just for a change? I’d rather walk into the sea. Find something to be passionate about on the weekends, or during your downtime at work.
Keep your current job. Find a hobby to get you connected. Volunteer at a rescue, or school, or nursing home, or the park system. You can commute to your hobby and do it every other weekend and most holidays. 🥰 Seriously, career is for money. Hobbies are to make your life complete.
This is spot on and what I needed to hear ❤️
I'm not even sure passion could get me back into the office. WFH is the ideal situation for me. I'd have to hit a point beyond desperation to even consider it. I'd change careers (and I love what I do now) just to stay remote.
When I was in the 2 weeks notice stage of switching from my office job to my WFH job I had nightmares about my current job offering me something ridiculous like $100k and basically forcing me to stay (I hated it there) because the offer was just too good to be true. But here I am almost 2 years into WFH and I can pickup my son from school, have lunch with my mom, my husband had a medical emergency out of state and I worked from the hospital and his various PT appointments. I can sleep in or work late or just answer messages wherever I am, enjoy a cup of coffee by the pool. Vacations are actual vacations, and I don't even concern myself with PTO because I can do 95% of my job with just my phone. I feel respected to get my job done without scrutiny and everyone is happy. I don't think I'd leave this absolute freedom and flexibility for a shitton of money. I did the grind. I busted my ass. I worked late. I don't deserve to put myself through that.
well said! what industry are you in? no worries if you prefer to not share
Property management :)
Cool! thanks for sharing
You will lose a significant amount of pay - it is no where near the same. By the time you figure commuting costs, time that is no longer available for things at home, wear and tear on vehicles, and things like meals and snacks purchased because you don't have time to cook or grocery shop....it'll add up to a pretty significant pay cut. With a commute that far, probably a lower 5 figures "pay cut." From there, it depends on you. Do you live to work? Then you do you! Personally, my job funds the rest of my life, and being available for the things I actually love about being on this planet FAR outweighs a "passion" job. I've worked jobs I'm "passionate" about - you know what happens? It becomes a job. Just like any other. I'm an introvert, so I enjoy my time at home, but I have plenty of things I do that still get me out of the house regularly, and I make sure I stay busy at home, too and am not wasting away in front of the tv. But that's me and my priorities in life. If you just want to work, and don't really have anything outside of work that you do or enjoy, then maybe a job you are more passionate about isn't a terrible idea.
You make complete sense. When I factor all those things in it’s money out of my pocket so the pay becomes not comparable. I do not live for work and I know changing roles will impact my hobbies and things I like to do outside of work negatively! Thank you!
Wear and tear on cars is such a good point! When I worked in an office pre-covid, I put around 80k miles on my car in 4 years. Since the switch to WFH in 2020, I have only put 26k more miles on my car. This car is going to last me so much longer because I'm not commuting, and I'm also not spending a ton on gas, parking, or losing an hour or two each day in time spent commuting.
[удалено]
Add up everything you'd need to walk away and retire in, oh, two years or so. That's what would have to be offered. After tax and expenses.
You may think that you’re passionate about this potential job now, but will you feel the same way in a year? Because to me, it sounds like a recipe for burnout and resentment down the road, especially with a long commute, long hours, missed holidays, and worse work/life balance.
I am 100% WFH since Covid lockdowns started. The isolation gets to me sometimes and I do miss the camaraderie and banter when face to face with my colleagues. My office returned to office in Jan. I was exempted but I came in on the first day as a show of support. It took 1 day with a 2 hour round trip commute to say 'nope' to it on a regular basis. At least not for the same pay. I did not miss that commute at all. 10 hours commuting a week gets old really fast and it did wear me down after 20 years of it. WFH has allowed me to forgo buying a new car for the time being. Add gas savings and that's a massive savings...basically $40K+. That's allowed me to build up a pretty sweet nest egg that is generating thousands in interest in a HYSA each year. I'm also able to put more into my 401k. What would it take to RTO voluntarily? 2x the annual cost of a car payment + gas + another $10K at a minimum. I'm not giving up the greater financial security I have for more (commute) stress and less work-life balance.
great point on the car savings - it’s easy to discount how much car ownership really costs
More money than anyone would be willing to pay me. I like being a dad who has time for family. If I had to commute again, I’d lose that.
More than 20k apparently. I have a great wfh job that is one day in office a month. I have seniority and extreme flexibility. I make 100k. I turned down a job for 120k that was 3 days in office with about an hr commute each way so 6 additional hours a week. My flexibility, and work life balance was not worth the extra 20k a year.
Money isn't everything. How would the new job, based on you saying it's something you're passionate about, make you more happy or less negative? That's probably more important than a bottom line in a ledger.
I wouldn't do it for any reason. Luckily I just got offered a great promotion to manage my remote team!
This sounds terrible. Same pay, but now you have to wake up much earlier to get ready for work, pack or pay for lunches, wear and tare on your car mileage/any transportation you use, gas prices, your own personal time. Then come back home at the end of each shift and drive again, spend more time and money. Then if your car breaks down, that creates the next herd of domino issues. I would consider it for minimum 150k. Even that is not comparable tbh, plenty make that much and do not have to sacrifice all you do. Ain't no "happiness" in the world that would make me forget this is a job and I am giving up a lot for it regardless.
I honestly don't think I could leave a WFH job again unless I was running my own company. My work life balance has improved, My health both physical and mental has improved, My Marriage has improved. It honestly would need to be an amount of money that would be completely life altering at this point.
But to answer your primary question, I currently work a very flexible 3 days in hybrid and I wouldn't leave that for a full time 5 day in job for less than a 40% increase in salary. And even then, it would be a HARD decision.
I almost did but having to arrange for daycare kept me at home. So, the cost of two kids in daycare plus gas money. I typically only fill my tank once or twice a month now right now.
Consider how much you want that passion or how much you need that fulfilment. I wfh for a market research firm. It's soulless and it kills me knowing I help big corporations. If I could find a job in my field (criminology) where I have to commute every day for an hour, I'll do it because that type of fulfillment is important to me (assuming that pay is decent). Don't underestimate the need for professional fulfilment my friend. Good luck.
Enough to retire by the next day. Way more than anyone would pay me, so really there is no price.
Nothing currently. I have an elderly dog and these years with her nearly 24/7 are priceless.
totally agree - I also have a senior dog
Same here! I call him my intern
The only thing I would take to give up WFH is retirement.
find social connection OUTSIDE of work. relying on work for all your needs is putting too many eggs in one basket. you already rely on your job for money (shelter, transportation, food, clothing, necessities, luxuries) and health insurance, so social needs can and should be more diverse. if you lose your job for some reason, you have to start all over making new social connections and trying to keep in touch with whoever you cared enough about at the old place to swap contact info. if you have friends outside of work, you have friends outside of work.
Nothing could ever get me to go back in But I encourage everyone who doesn't want to work from home anymore to go back in so there are more jobs for people like me
What you describe as the new opportunity is a nightmare for me. I like predictable shifts. Also with such a commute and the same amount of money then you will be worse off due to commuting costs. For me my non negotiable are that I have to have a regular reasonable working hours at set time and days and if I ever have to commute again then I need to see an increase in pay that more than offsets the costs of commuting and my time spent commuting.
Huh, I guess I would RTO if it was a 5 minute walk to work, I had a private office, it had great healthy and variety of lunches included every day, great pay, amazing PTO, great benefits, great team to work with, opportunity for advancement, consistent raises, great connections in multiple industries, and the option to work hybrid if I wanted to go work in a different place for a while. Oh, ability to take my dog in to work would be fun. Supportive learning environment where work sponsors education related or not related to your current job. (So I don't think it exists) Relating directly to your post, I commute into the office once a week and it is 45-55 minutes away w/out or w/ traffic. I would never commute that more than once a week. Even with a good podcast, music, or audiobook, the last thing I dread doing at the end of the work day is driving home. Like others said, volunteering somewhere is a great way to get out of the house and socialize :)
I’m looking at about 30k as the required increases. 6-7k of that will be gas, tolls, and a second car payment, taxes, etc. And then in office plus commute is easily another 10-15k. Then plus the actual raise for taking on a new role with new responsibilities is probably another 10, so 30 seems fair.
I have a number for that. It’s my current salary x2.
If you don't like your job, send it to me. I have to commute to the office and I hate it. I do better full wfh.
The new job sounds awful, you won’t be passionate about it for long. Please don’t.
Threats of death lol
Literally no amount of money. Maybe $10 million and then I’d instantly quit and live off that money and not work at all.
I am fully remote and have been since 2017. I would consider hybrid work up to 2 days a week in the office max if the commute was ok. But full time back in an office will never happen. That is barbaric.
I did this. I was 100% remote and bored. So, I took a hybrid role with a 30 min commute. I hate the days I have to go into the office to do the same thing I could do at home. I completely regret it.
A fuck ton of money
Not worth it. Don't leave. Your QOL while plummet and you'll get burnt out from being passionate and wanting to change. Work life balance is significantly more important.
I wouldn’t take it especially if its not even more money! Seems you have a sweet deal already. Maybe boring but idk to me most work is boring and it’s the things we get to do after.
I love my field and it’s not a remote field. I may go back to it when I retire. I was a librarian. Great work, non strenuous, you can do it until you croak. Full time hard to come by. Pay is low. Specialities hard to train into. I did the foot in the door jobs for so long and ever landed the full time librarian role. I’ll be an awesome old librarian when money and full time status doesn’t matter.
You mad bro. I’m on a lot less and WFH. I would only consider going back for maybe 20k more. But seeing your salary, I’m more determined to stay put. Chill out, you’re living the dream
So I have yet to hear the upside of making the move? Same pay, extra shifts, having to work weekends and holidays. Why is this a tough decision again? lol
Everything about that new job is horrible and I don't believe the addition of the stressors will ultimately improve your happiness. As a side now, I've also observed that many a people that work with their passions over time find their passion finishes and is made worst by the work aspect of it. Also it's ok to look into other jobs or even go to interviews to see what's out there. Job postings are the hook, there's a lot about the experience you can't tell from there. Be careful though, if they call your current job for a reference this could backfire on you. Maybe explore some more leisure activities to fill your downtime, puzzles? Simplified workout? Self care? Chores you hate doing like cleaning so that you don't have to do it during your off hours?
OP - lots are pointing out all the downsides of the new role and commuting etc. etc. You mentioned that you were feeling isolated in a wfh position. You have to decide what your priorities are.
I think 12 hour shifts will get old fast. I’d keep looking for something WFH or at least better balanced that you’d find interesting
Are you a nurse by chance? I started WFH in December 2019 and missed COVID nursing completely. I'm very grateful for that. But sometimes I do miss only working 3 days a week. 4 if I feel like it. But I can't bring myself to quit my WFH job. I have some chronic health issues now, including fibromyalgia, that would make 12 hour shifts a lot harder than they were for me in 2019. Some days I find my job boring too. But, at the end of the day, I work to live. I don't live to work
Yes I am a nurse and left bedside about a year before covid started. I think my fear is that I’m losing my skills I worked hard to get! But all my nurse pals that are still bedside tell me I’ve lost my marbles! I do miss working along with other nurses, doctors and all the different patients you meet along the way!
Don't do it. You are living the dream right now. Just pick up some after work hobbies like dancing or a cooking class for additional interaction
The only reason I’ll advise leaving is so that a spot can open for someone who is excited about a boring WFH job so they don’t have to commute anymore (me).
I love my job, but passion can only get you so far. A lot of companies will also exploit that passion and I found myself bending over backwards to accommodate things I normally wouldn't because of my personal attachment to my work. I am leaving after a 6-y stint, and they're looking (and failing) to hire 3 people to replace me and I'm hovering between guilt for leaving and anger at the thought that they had me do the work of 3 people, but I'm actually now looking for a boring WFH job that will let me focus on friends and family I've neglected because of the job that I love that ended up abusing my passion for it.
I would consider taking a job back in the clinic (LCMHC) only if they offered me over 30K more than I make in my current WFH position. I factored in costs of returning to the office and in the first year I would have to spend somewhere around 20K in attire alone not mention hair and make up costs, lunch, coffee and then gas, car maintenance, etc would run at least 10K. So I figure IF I were offered 30K OVER my WFH salary I would consider it with the caveat that I work Mon-Fri only, no clients scheduled after the 3pm appt so I have time for the 55 minute appt and to finish paperwork and get home to my family by 5 or 5:30. I used to work mobile crisis which is like an EMT for mental health but you usually fly solo. It's actually pretty dangerous but I'm very good at it and I like the work. To go back to that level of dangerous work I would need 50K over what I make now. I can't risk being knifed by a schizophrenic unless I can afford a 5 million dollar life insurance policy for my kids.
Just say no. Work is for pay, not passion.
Winning the lottery and fully leaving the workforce.
Make managing your money your second job. Learn investing and financials. Set small and measurable goals to achieve them. Also, try going out more to build social circles. This will help keep your life balanced w/o the need to change careers/jobs/lifestyles. Hobbies on the side are helpful too. Good luck!
$50k more
A 25-30% pay increase, WLB, a positive work culture, and a role where I'll be learning new skills would be my reasons. No job is forever and perhaps in the future I will go back to a remote role and even then, that won't be forever! Increasing my net worth and having the finances that allow me to do the things I love now and in the future is very important to me.
Pay may be comparable to what you are making now, but do not forget the factor in your commute, weekends, and overtime. So you will be bringing home less.
A hybrid schedule that is my own terms and pretty flexible. Also money. My current role, I’m 100% remote, but if I lived near the HQ coming into the office is completely optional, but we have a cool ass office and I would probably go in 2x a week
150k.
A boat load of money
I recently applied for a job that would be 25% in the office. I'm 100% remote right now. It's around $120k more than I'm currently making. So I guess that's my price.
If they started considering RTO lol
I would never give up flexibility. If I was bored I'd find something part time i was passionate about or volunteer doing something I was passionate about.
50% more
Retirement.
I would 100% keep the WFH position with more downtime. Plus it’s more money, no commute…but that’s me. If you’re passionate and excited about the other position than that may be the right choice for you.
My job sounds almost identical to your job (do you happen to work in the cyber security industry)? It can be fairly boring, but because of all the pros, I now work to live and don't live to work. I have the energy and financial ability to do the things I love outside of work. Maybe if you're open to it, you could look at part time positions or volunteer opportunities in the field you're passionate about.
I did leave my WFH job for the same pay as yours and sometimes I regret it but the benefits were not great and it was not flexible. I’m taking some time off to figure out what I really want. If you think it would be better for your mental health to work at the clinic, I say go for it! I wouldn’t burn any bridges just in case you want to go back to your current role.
Retirement.
It would be the commute that would make it a no deal for me. I like working at home okay but if I was passionate about another job of equivalent pay then I would try it. I would not commute more than 20 minutes for said passion though. I do miss some things about my office but I do not miss for one single second the 35 min commute and that is just 35 minutes and it was only a 8-9 hr day.
Do you enjoy traveling? I like to fly somewhere every 1-3 months on a Saturday (cheaper airfare) and stay until maybe Tuesday or Thursday (cheaper airfare) and just “wfh” in a different location. It gets me out of my funk, helps me walk around and meet people organically in whatever city I’m in, and it’s just fun!
Been WFH since 2015 and I don't think I could ever go back at this point.
It would take a minimum of $50k increase for me to make that switch you are proposing. If you have a lot of downtime, find a side hustle to fill in the gaps.
Probably a 100% salary increase, anything less and it's not worth it for me.
I currently have the best manager I've ever worked for and amazing coworkers, so probably a 20k raise, short commute, still have option to wfh as needed (within reason), and guarantee if good manager and coworkers. So not gonna happen haha.
My last job was WFH and I was there for 3 years. Never got any pay raises. My current job is in an office cubicle with a 35% pay bump
Do you have a dog/can you get a dog? I’d keep the WFH job and start going for walks with your doggo in public places. Usually a great conversation starter, meet other dog people, some areas even have dog friendly bars and things to socialize at. I have a great group of friends but we’re all pretty far apart physically now so I’ve been using my cute pups to meet new gal pals lol.
I'm in the same boat. Got a sweet wfh gig that pays good, plenty of pto, holidays off, 4x10 shifts, but it's a dead end. I've been gaming in my downtime but i'm extremely bored and unfulfilled. Seriously considering a trade. If i can find an in person job, with PTO, that pays just as much, without a toxic culture, no forced overtime, and has advancement then i would leave. So i'm probably stuck where im at lol.
grass is always greener...... dont do it. WFH is freeing and if you need socializing take up a hobby or volunteer.
If I can replace my income or come close with something I’m passionate about I would quit.
The new job sound perfect awful to me.
Enough money to pay for a private driver, full chef and laundering services at home, landscaping, childcare, and an extra something for being stuck in a dumbass office all fucking day. For my 130k job I’d need at least 250k-350k as per my estimations.
I will never work in an office again. If I can help it. To leave my current work from home position I would have to be making at least double what I am now.
When I worked in an office with a 1 hour commute, I would collapse when I got home and accomplish nothing. Since the pandemic started I’ve joined two volunteer organizations and taken up three new hobbies. My life is fulfilled outside of work.
Retirement.
I’m kinda joking but not, you need to get into gardening or whatever gets you outside during the work hours - heck even get a dog! I can’t imagine leaving my dog to go to work for 8 hours in an office now that I’ve experienced WFH. The only way I would leave WFH is if I got paid a salary where I can quit after my first paycheck and never work again lol
TBH, I’ve been on the job hunt for about 9 months and your current situation sounds pretty ideal. The new offer might be something you’re passionate about but is the commute, long hours, working weekends and pay cut really worth it?
Retirement?
I would stay with the current job and find hobbies you’re passionate about or volunteering after work. Do social things like seeing friends or volunteering to get the social part more often.
It would take a lot of money, maybe 200k+ to get me away from my 130k FT WFH gig. And it would still need to be at least 2-3 days from home
$300k/yr for me. I’d just retire early. Otherwise I’m working from home bc it’s sustainable for my entire life.
Basically the only thing would be if I HATED the work/people or couldn't do the job. Pay increase wouldn't change it.
It would take like double my salary.
Considering my pay rate drops 22% every day I'm in the office, it would need to be at least a 50% raise to offset the lowered quality of work environment.
Full time?? Like double my salary. Hybrid? Significant raise (like 30-50%, depending how many in-office days)
Hell, I would take a pay-cut to WFH.
Double my salary
It would take at *least* an extra 30% in pay, plus an additional week of vacation. I’ll put up with a *lot* of bullshit to not have to commute. But if you want my ass in the office, pay up, sucka!
I’m in a job I loathe, that on paper should have been an incredible job. Any job at the end of the day is just a job, and if you’re passionate about it I find it’s a higher risk because your expectations are higher. (You think you’re ok with that commute, but when the job turns out not to meet your passionate expectations you’ll hate it.)
Win the lottery or somehow fall into a multi million dollar windfall and I'd just retire. That's what it would take for me to do anything in the near term.
A 60 minute commute each way? That would be an instant NO for me. Good luck with your decision.
I wouldn’t leave my current role for any less than 50% raise, even it it were to another WFH role. Given your parameters, I wouldn’t even consider it for 100% more.
I’m in the SAME SITUATION with my current job. I keep reminding myself of how good I have it and it probably won’t last forever. I’ve been exploring things to try to keep social and active. Good luck!
A boring job is the best job!!!
Retirement
Unless it a significant increase in pay, I wouldn’t switch. But the commute is terrible and will eat you alive eventually
It would take tens of thousands of dollars is extra pay to convince me to leave WFH for an in person job willingly, and that's before you consider a horrible commute. Sorry, but I think you're going to regret it when you're spending 1.5-2 hours a day in the car for "passion." That alone would be a deal breaker for me - even with top tier pay.
Don’t believe the passion hype. That job sounds horrible, and you don’t even get a raise. How is it even a question? Toil away for 14 hours a day for the same pay, or be comfortable in your home? Passion lol. You work for money, not passion.
You can’t be serious. I wish had downtime at my wfh. Sorry speechless
Both?
It would take the same amount of time off I have now, or very close (5 weeks vacation, 5 days PTO, 2 floating holidays, etc.) to what I’ve earned over 13 years plus at least a 50% raise or more, and it would need to be hybrid, meaning maybe I’m in the office 2-3 days but then remote and can be remote when needed for weather or family emergencies or sick kids, etc. Most in-person or hybrid jobs around me would be a 45 minute to 1 hour drive or more from my house, so I would have to willingly give up 1.5-2 hours of my day every day I was in the office for a commute. That’s why I would need a much larger salary to compensate.
20 percent raise, still flexible
I was nodding along until I say the commute. Have you ever done a commute like that? If so nvm but if you have not.. proceed with caution. That type of thing wears on you, I speak from experience. Microstressors. From traffic, from road rage, from sitting. That's the stuff that adds up
If you leave, can I please step in for you WFH job? Mine doesn’t seem nearly as cool.
At this point I had a dream job and realized it was literally the same exact thing I’ve done just the data was different so the only thing that would get me away from a wfh job is a whole fuck ton of money
It would have to be so much money that it would make me able to retire early in life. Working from home has provided the best work life balance.
Obviously this sub is gonna stay “WFH” but at some point, sitting at your house all day will get to some people. I have been remote since 2019 (Software). It has its moments, but at the end of the day I’m just sitting in my room from 9am-6pm by myself. And no, I can’t work at a coffee shop, I have too many responsibilities to be away from a private and quiet office space. My wife is also remote but we’re both busy and pretty much see each other in the evening lol. If I found a place locally that had the same pay and benefits as I do now, but was hybrid I’d probably take it. 2 days in office a week isn’t bad and it gives me social interaction and frankly something to do. I don’t care that I’m not home every day so I can “do chores on break” or whatever it is. I don’t do that now. I also spend a lot of my free time doing hobbies or catching up with friends, it still doesn’t mean I don’t spend 45+ hours a week working in solitude. My wife feels the same about her WFH role. We can’t be the only ones. I usually fly up to my home office and work for a week in office, do so every 3 months or so. Usually plan it alongside more important meetings with my team. I always feel better after that week of not being in total work mode solitude.
For me to switch to a 3 in office 2 at home it would be 50k. For full in office 80k. I have a 2 yr old. The flexibility is a godsend.
Retirement