decisions, decisions!

[jools88]

I am currently in a job where I am very bored. There is no career structure. I have been here nearly 3 years. 50% of my day is filled with actual work, the rest is spent surfing the net, reading my books, making tea, playing freecell - all legitimately carried out! I have now been offered a job in the Civil Service. The salary banding means that I have to start at the minimum although the maximum is about the same as my current salary so it means that I take a �4K drop if I take the job. I didn't know this when I applied for the job - I had assumed that I would start on the level closest to my current salary. (I have over 20 years of work experience). So - I am drawing up a list of pros and cons but I am really undecided. Does any body have any helpful comments / suggestions for me? I

[Babz]

IMy opinion for what it's worth...if you're anywhere near fifty stay where you are and enjoy your leisure, if you're younger and really bored and can afford the drop in salary go for it if it's what you really want. I've had stressful and physically demanding jobs in the past but am now in an office on my own with a job similar to yours, either rushed off my feet or reading and surfing the net (but sadly I have no games on my PC or I could happily play Spider solitaire all day). This'll do me nicely until I retire.

[jools88]

Thanks Babz. I'm only 42 and my kids will be in uni next year, so drop in salary not too significant. Could stay where I am and let my brain go even mushier. I used to work in an environment where fees charged to clients were based on time and disbursement so coming to present job was challenging in a novel way in that I could sit at my desk and not have to keep constant watch on time related tasks. Now that I have had nearly 3 years of it, I am wondering if I should return to a more professional scenario.

[Babz]

Sounds to me like you might be on the verge of a decision...enjoy the new job! :-) I don't think my brain will ever turn to mush even though I'm not stretched at work, I have a lot of interests which keep me going most of the time when I'm not at my (part-time) job. I'm just happy to have a job that is fairly secure (funeral service - always needed) and doesn't stress me out. Good luck anyway whatever you decide on.