moral dilemma

[Biciclista]

not only would you be giving up all that vacation, but your quality of life would go DOWN because of the commute. It's only money. Tell your friend and go ride your bike.

[DebSP]

How will you feel if you don't apply and she doesn't get interviewed? Will you think "Darn I should have applied?"

[badger]

thanks ladies!

I would never commute that long for very long. I would rent my place out and find one closer to work. But then that would mean either I pay rent, or pay two municipal taxes if I buy another place.

In the end I decided not to, because the biggest question mark that I couldn't answer was this position was filled a year ago and the encumbent quit less than a year into her job. Why?? At least with this place I know all the ins and outs of the political BS whereas I'd have to learn theirs. And the lack of vacation time really is detrimental to my overall mental health.

Another thing that made me decide against was if my friend gets this job, HER position will come up and I've done it before so I *should* (nothing guaranteed, of course!) get it. It'll be quite a big pay jump, though not as much as the one I passed on.

20K in the overall scheme of things isn't so much when you factor different things.

edit: I was writing this with people talking at me, so I had some strange grammatical errors!

[tangentgirl]

Sounds like a good decision. 7 weeks of vacation, daaayaaam!

[shootingstar]

In the end I decided not to, because the biggest question mark that I couldn't answer was this position was filled a year ago and the encumbent quit less than a year into her job. Why?? At least with this place I know all the ins and outs of the political BS whereas I'd have to learn theirs. And the lack of vacation time really is detrimental to my overall mental health.

First priority for any job consideration or job competition, is you must think of your own needs. Not your friends, your colleagues.

But it sounds like the other organizational culture might be questionable.

I guess I'm different because I've taken several risks along the way in life-- job-wise. Including leaving non/profit, govn't going to private sector, then now back to govn't. Over 80% of my jobs have been 50 min. one way commutes.

At my age, I get only 2 wks. vacation right now since I'm new. But I work a compressed work week, a benefit where I work longer each day and get every 3rd Friday off. Very helpful to new employees like myself and much needed for the stresses I've had with major life changes/tragedy. There is also the telework option (1 day per wk.) if I want it. But I don't feel ready for it since I have know more people within the organization to establish a business working relationship for team work, etc.

Maybe later.

BUT it is so wierd to be new and be part of a large organization (govn't) where every wk. there are at least 1-3 people retiring. and these are people are close to my age! In fact, the organization will have 30% staff retiring over 5 years or so. That is major.

Yes, true not building up a huge vacation entitlement is not great at this time. But remember I was unemployed for quite awhile (except for the work helping my partner). It is true this type of unintended "sabbatical" can be a temporary relief but only if a person has some savings to weather this time period.

Looking back I'm so glad I did the bike trips with dearie... so true that one must use their time, days well even if one is not earning money.

[Tri Girl]

It didn't sound like you were totally in love with the position, so I'm glad for you that you decided not to go for it. Too much stress involved with moving/renting/etc...
And bonus- if she gets the job and you get her job you get a raise and you get to stay put in your current community. Win-win!

I could make 20K or more a year if I left teaching. It's not worth it. I'll live a little more frugally (which is fine by me) because by golly I *need* that 11 weeks of vacation a year. I just might die in the corporate world. I'm pretty sure I would go insane if I had to give vacation time up, and any more money I made would be spent on therapy.
Well, that and I absolutely love my job and wouldn't want to give it up for anything anyway.

Glad you're staying put!