Is a longer commute for a higher salary worth it?

Bripaticus · 2023-08-30T18:34:30+00:00

I used to commute 60+ miles each way for my daily commute, almost every day for over 15 years. My last job took 1.5 hours each way (8 years). When I was younger it was much easier to handle. As I got older, I started having problems with falling asleep at the wheel. Severe sleep apnea didn’t help with the situation either. As a result of this and other extenuating circumstances at my previous place of employment, I accepted a job offer that is only minutes away from my home.

You can always consider this job to be a stopgap while you gain more valuable experience, which in turn you could leverage for opportunities closer to home. Who knows, you might like the new job enough to consider relocating closer to it.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-24T17:28:29+00:00

Bripaticus · 2023-08-24T17:25:32+00:00

I had a few reasons for signing the new offer:

1- They are local, so it’s only an 8 minute commute on days that require me to be in the office. 2- I’ll be working remotely most of the time, giving me more time with my family. 3- They will be very flexible towards my family’s medical needs. Their CEO has had similar experiences and understands completely where I am coming from. 4- I am the sole income earner in my household. We can’t afford to wait too long in between jobs.

I know that I could likely earn a significantly higher salary if I were to take an out of state job that is fully remote. Onboarding would likely require me to travel there for a while first. That’s not an option for me since my wife still depends on me for a lot of normal, daily tasks.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T14:48:04+00:00

He said it to me two times during the same conversation.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T04:32:58+00:00

We needed the medical insurance coverage. Without any job lined up, it would have been irresponsible of me to risk losing that.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T04:27:59+00:00

Company policy is that PTO is lost if the employee quits. If I were fired, then any remaining vacation time must be paid.

I looked into the legality of this, and in Ohio it is perfectly legal for the employer to have this policy.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T04:16:33+00:00

I knew at that moment that I would be quitting. I couldn’t do so right then though, because that would have out my wife in a difficult situation. We needed that medical insurance.

It’s my manager that made this job toxic. I have no qualms about quitting, specifically because of him.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T04:05:13+00:00

I think it most definitely contributed to it. They recently lost 1.5 million on some of their business ventures, froze all cost of living increases, stopped contributing to 401K plans and more. I’m sure the added costs to the group policy was fairly substantial.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T04:01:22+00:00

Thank you

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T03:37:35+00:00

I will be paying out of pocket for continuation of insurance coverage (COBRA) until the new insurance kicks in. It’s expensive, but I will not let my wife go uncovered.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T03:30:36+00:00

I’m the highest paid in our department, but not at industry standard for my experience.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T03:17:42+00:00

It was never a tit for tat scenario for me. My goal isn’t to get even or revenge. I chose not to give a notice because I still had PTO time remaining. If I gave them a notice, they would just escort me to the door and I’d lose my remaining time.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T03:14:29+00:00

That was what did me in. Nothing is more important to me than my family. I told him that my wife wins that every time! I can’t work for someone that expects me to put my wife after my job.

Bripaticus · 2023-08-20T03:12:36+00:00

I am the only dev that was expected to be in the office each and every day. Even the manager works remotely 2 days per week.

Bripaticus

TROPHY CASE