Why do we say ones job is worth less than another’s
Depending on your situation, a lower net pay job can really be beneficial for you if the benefits are correct. When my wife was considering a relatively low-paying position for her specialty, one of her biggest draws was a fantastic suite of benefits, including employer-paid health insurance and a generous public pension plan (a rarity these days). When you add a valuable benefits package, you may have some extra breathing space in your budget, even if your paychecks go down.
How valuable are your mornings, afternoons and weekends? If you lust for time off outside of regular business hours, you may be willing to accept a lower salary for a shorter, more predictable schedule.
You may also value flexible scheduling. One of the things I like the most about self-employment is flexibility. If I want to leave early for a beautiful Monday-Friday afternoon or take a long weekend on short notice, I can do so without worrying about finding someone to cover for me or spending precious vacation time. As the ranks of freelancers and sole proprietors rise, it’s no coincidence that more traditional employers are promoting flexible time off and no-questions-asked time off policies.
You may also value flexible scheduling. One of the things I like the most about self-employment is flexibility. If I want to leave early for a beautiful Monday-Friday afternoon or take a long weekend on short notice, I can do so without worrying about finding someone to cover for me or spending precious vacation time. As the ranks of freelancers and sole proprietors rise, it’s no coincidence that more traditional employers are promoting flexible time off and no-questions-asked time off policies.
How to escape a toxic or stressful work environment
Everyone responds to stress differently. Some workers thrive in high stress and competitive environments and expect to receive adequate compensation. Others are willing to trade hearty salaries for less stress and more order.
Your tolerance for stress is a personal matter. If a higher salary isn’t worth it to you, you will probably do better in a lesser position.
What you should not have to tolerate under any circumstances is harassment or abuse of any kind in the workplace. While changing jobs to escape toxic or superior co-workers is a big leap, it’s generally the right decision if less drastic measures (like HR complaints or reassignment requests) are unsuccessful. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies as untenable, explain this to a trusted confidant who is out of the situation and get their feedback.
Better leadership
Bad workplaces are not always toxic or abusive. Sometimes they are just disorganized.
Countless employees work under hierarchies that offer minimal or conflicting support from superiors. (Think of the comedy “Office Space,” in which the protagonist has eight different bosses and an inscrutable work product known as the “TPS report” that required virtually no effort to produce.) If such conditions are not completely corrosive, they are certainly bad for morale.
My wife briefly considered a role that seemed aligned with her professional strengths and interests, but declined after an in-person interview revealed a chaotic and understaffed workplace with little direction from above. Like many potential employees, she didn’t want to be thrown into the fire on the first day.
Final word
While some employees choose to seek greener pastures elsewhere, many others choose to stay. Those who finally stand their ground often do so because the prospect of looking for a new job can be overwhelming and the outcome uncertain.
If you’re frustrated, start by evaluating your current job satisfaction and your goals for the future. With a better idea of where you are now and where you would like to be in the long run, you can better determine whether a lower-paying job is right for you.
Have you ever taken a lower-paying job? What factors influenced your consideration?
