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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 8:03:33 GMT -6
I'm in the process of interviewing/applying for two new positions. One is an hour commute but a regular M-F schedule, no nights and weekends. The other is ten minutes from home but includes two nights a week (til 8) plus regular Saturdays (unclear how often right now, likely once or twice a month).
Currently I work two nights a week plus every other Saturday. The closer to home job is a great fit for me as a next step in my career, the further away job is a little overwhelming to me. But the idea of no nights and weekends is so appealing to me, I can't decide what I prefer.
What would you pick?
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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 8:04:27 GMT -6
Also it should be noted I have not actually received an offer for either position, this is just how my brain works.
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claudia
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Post by claudia on Aug 1, 2021 8:15:28 GMT -6
I always thought my long commute didn’t bother me, but then when I went to a shorter commute job, I realized how much it had bothered me. Since you’re already used to some nights and weekends, I would lean toward that. It’s especially nice when something comes up at home to be able to respond quickly.
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wasabi
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Post by wasabi on Aug 1, 2021 8:15:51 GMT -6
I find an hour+ commute to be hellish so I would be fine working a weekend here and there to avoid that. There is nothing sweeter than working close to home.
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joy
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Post by joy on Aug 1, 2021 8:16:55 GMT -6
Ten min commute always and forever
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wasabi
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Post by wasabi on Aug 1, 2021 8:16:57 GMT -6
How late would you be getting home with the hour commute? I imagine it wouldn’t be too too much earlier than 8 anyway.
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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 8:20:00 GMT -6
How late would you be getting home with the hour commute? I imagine it wouldn’t be too too much earlier than 8 anyway. I am not 100% certain but the hour commute job is likely 8-4 or 9-5 so I'd be home by 5 or 6 (probably little after). However it would mean we'd need before-care for DS (which is fine and we've done before) but my current situation and likely the other one would allow me to put him on the bus first.
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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 8:20:33 GMT -6
My H and I are both used to wonky schedules but he just started a new job with no nights and only 1 Sat/month so weekends off just seems like such a dream!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2021 8:21:59 GMT -6
My commute was about 45 minutes in good weather. I never realized how much time it took up of my life until I started to wfh.
The commute meant any time the kids needed to be picked up early or have an appt that I had to take way more pto time in order to go get them or take them in late. And I’m not running like mad to get out of there to be on time for daycare pickup or walking in the door as we are leaving for sports practices.
It’s also saved a ton of mileage, wear and tear and gas money on my vehicle. I went from over 4,500 miles a month to less than 500.
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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 8:27:11 GMT -6
kbw, wear and tear on the car is a really good point.
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Post by justbecause on Aug 1, 2021 8:27:39 GMT -6
I’ve done the hour commute with kids and it majorly sucks. I would go with the closer job.
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Post by greykitty on Aug 1, 2021 8:32:48 GMT -6
Do you know yet what other benefits the jobs offer? To be fair, my commute was always an hour, but I had some stellar benefits which offset the commute in many ways. Also, I rather enjoyed my train commute - good transition into and out of 'work mind'. Worst downside was challenge with appointments and such if I couldn't arrange to WFH that day.
Are you the only kid wrangler in your household? That would make a difference to me as well.
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Post by GhoatMonket on Aug 1, 2021 8:33:46 GMT -6
kbw , wear and tear on the car is a really good point. Also just routine maintenance. With current maintenance protocols, most people have to take their vehicle in once a year. I was going in every 3 months. It adds up.
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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 8:39:03 GMT -6
I really hate working Saturdays you guys!
I think I'd hate a long commute too.
You know what else is bullshit? When you apply for a job and instead of posting a salary range they ask what your salary requirements are. Ugh.
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richard
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Post by richard on Aug 1, 2021 8:41:31 GMT -6
My H and I are both used to wonky schedules but he just started a new job with no nights and only 1 Sat/month so weekends off just seems like such a dream! I remember going from split schedules to DH and I having weekends off together with the family and it was really nice. So I’m sympathetic to that! If you can get the new job to commit to just 1 Saturday a month as part of your hiring so that you have 2 weekends together per month and avoid a big commute, that’s what I’d aim for.
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joy
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Post by joy on Aug 1, 2021 8:43:17 GMT -6
I used to work with an hour commute. The stress and planning it took for me to be where I needed and my car in good working order all the time took a serious toll on me.
I would never go back to it.
If you have to work evenings/Saturdays then do you start later or have a weekday off? I mean - that sounds heavenly to me - plus a ten min commute? You work Saturday and are home for dinner/summer evening bbq. You get a morning to yourself but could maybe still be home for bedtime.
For me, there is no contest.
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richard
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Post by richard on Aug 1, 2021 8:44:21 GMT -6
I also agree that being an hour away from kid would be a pain in the ass when things come up like appointments or getting sick/hurt.
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Post by spicysalmonroll on Aug 1, 2021 8:45:15 GMT -6
I really hate working Saturdays you guys! I think I'd hate a long commute too. You know what else is bullshit? When you apply for a job and instead of posting a salary range they ask what your salary requirements are. Ugh. I had an interview last week and I refused to say a number until she did. She's like well I need to make sure we aren't too far off and I said I agree, so I'll need to know your range before I tell you mine. (if they ask in writing on the application I put 0 and discuss when they call)
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Post by coffeecake on Aug 1, 2021 8:49:25 GMT -6
My H has the shorter commute, but works long hours into the evening and at least one Saturday a month, sometimes more. It is nice that he is close, so if something comes up with the kids or if there are school programs (pre-covid), he could pop over and be at stuff like that. But then he has to go back and work until later, which sort of sucks. But it’s pretty difficult in his field to find a job without those hours, so it is what it is.
That being said, it does leave me with doing the bulk of childcare pickup, dinner and bedtime, and then weekend stuff when he is working non-traditional business hours. So I don’t know how many kids you have or ages, but does it all work with your SO’s schedule? It could be an issue either way, with a long commute or evening/weekend hours.
ETA: I also work full time, so there are times I’m tired and wish he was home, lol.
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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 9:00:26 GMT -6
I used to work with an hour commute. The stress and planning it took for me to be where I needed and my car in good working order all the time took a serious toll on me. I would never go back to it. If you have to work evenings/Saturdays then do you start later or have a weekday off? I mean - that sounds heavenly to me - plus a ten min commute? You work Saturday and are home for dinner/summer evening bbq. You get a morning to yourself but could maybe still be home for bedtime. For me, there is no contest. Yes there are definitely mornings I have time all by myself which is, in fact, pretty awesome
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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 9:03:33 GMT -6
I really hate working Saturdays you guys! I think I'd hate a long commute too. You know what else is bullshit? When you apply for a job and instead of posting a salary range they ask what your salary requirements are. Ugh. I had an interview last week and I refused to say a number until she did. She's like well I need to make sure we aren't too far off and I said I agree, so I'll need to know your range before I tell you mine. (if they ask in writing on the application I put 0 and discuss when they call) Oh man it feels like such a gamble. I DO have a number in mind but I'm afraid if I put it in writing they'll assume that's what they can offer me. I like to negotiate. Such a mind fuck
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Post by lunarscallion on Aug 1, 2021 9:12:15 GMT -6
It sucks when they’re secretive about salary. I’d say that you’re hesitant to give a number because you’re considering more than just pay when you’re deciding such as benefits, favorable schedule, leave policy. Then give them the number that’s at the high end of your range and let them know what it’s open to negotiation, especially if there is room to wiggle on how many Saturdays/month you work.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Aug 1, 2021 9:14:28 GMT -6
Ten min commute always and forever Yeah… as much as I dislike nights and working Saturdays, I think I hate a long commute more.
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Post by sweptaway on Aug 1, 2021 9:21:47 GMT -6
Juggling child care and meals etc isn't really an issue since that'd the life we live now. All things remaining equal Hs new job will actually make that a little easier
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Tlex
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Post by Tlex on Aug 1, 2021 9:22:58 GMT -6
I’m a big fuck no to working evenings and weekends ever again if I can help it. I felt like we missed out on so many family and friend gatherings, and the kids will have weekend games and evening practices for sports as they get older that I want to be able to attend. I also like driving and listening to podcasts. I wouldn’t love a 1hr commute but I would hate working evenings and weekends.
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Post by icedcoffee on Aug 1, 2021 9:25:05 GMT -6
Is your H closer to home if you do the commute? Like if something comes up with your kid would you have to be an hour away/leave or would he be able to?
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Post by icedcoffee on Aug 1, 2021 9:26:36 GMT -6
I've admittedly never done a long commute when working but I think the schedule for the hour away job would be very appealing and I think I would pick that one. I feel like it'd be worth it to be off every weekend and evening. Plus it's a set, steady schedule
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Post by GhoatMonket on Aug 1, 2021 9:28:49 GMT -6
I've admittedly never done a long commute when working but I think the schedule for the hour away job would be very appealing and I think I would pick that one. I feel like it'd be worth it to be off every weekend and evening. Plus it's a set, steady schedule The night and weekend thing is definitely a hard thing for me as well. I do think I'd rather go back to driving.
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Post by MelanieCarmichael on Aug 1, 2021 9:48:53 GMT -6
When I was working in the office, I had an hour commute round trip.
Hell no to double that every day.
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thatgolfb
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Post by thatgolfb on Aug 1, 2021 9:56:56 GMT -6
I do love having one Monday off every month (we rotate Saturdays so I get about one per month). Working till 8 a couple days per week wouldn’t bother me. That’s more a mid shift than night, to me, and it would allow me to do stuff in the mornings before work.
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