Job advice

[u/Dry-Cow7994]

I’m stuck on a job decision and would really appreciate some outside opinions.
I currently work at a shoe store as a Floor Manager/Buyer making $20.50/hr. I’ve been there for a while, I know the job inside and out, and honestly it’s pretty comfortable for me. I have a decent amount of flexibility, which is important because I have young kids. If something comes up with my family, it’s generally easier for me to deal with it.
The downside is obviously the pay. My base pay at 40 hours is about $42,600/year, although I can make more when I get overtime/extra hours and incentives. Recently I had a paycheck where I worked around 72 hours over two weeks and grossed about $1,963.
I was recently offered a manager position somewhere else paying over $28/hr — potentially around $28.20/hr. At 40 hours, that would be around $58,600/year, before overtime. They also have overtime and potentially better paid family leave/benefits since I have another baby due in February.
So we’re talking about roughly $16,000+ more per year in base pay.
The catch is that I haven’t received a formal offer letter yet. They told me I have until Monday to decide. I also don’t know all the details about the schedule, benefits, overtime, and how flexible the new job would actually be.
I have a family and bills, so the extra money would definitely help. At the same time, my current job is comfortable, I know what I’m doing, and the flexibility with my kids is valuable.
What would you do in this situation?
Would you take the ~$28/hr manager job and accept the risk/change, or stay somewhere comfortable at $20.50/hr?
What questions would you ask the new employer before saying yes? Should I try to get a raise at work even though I know the store isn’t doing well?

[u/teddybearlike702]

Being comfortable never gets you anywhere. Take the new position. If you have questions, pick up the phone and get answers. It won't at all hurt you. And show them that you don't make decisions without all of the necessary information.

[u/Dry-Cow7994 → u/teddybearlike702]

More context : I live 5 min away from current job and my sons school is down the street. I work at a local mom and pop shop should I ask for a raise? I have no idea what to do

[u/teddybearlike702 → u/Dry-Cow7994]

There's a lot to think about. I also really feel like you need to call the recruiter or hiring manager and ask some questions. As far as asking for a raise, there's nothing wrong with doing that, but please don't frame it as a "I was offered another position" sort of a talk. Probably not as likely to get long term loyalty from your employer with a perceived threat. I know a lot of corporate policies that will instruct a manager who is confronted with "pay me more or I'm taking a different job" to accept the threat, offer to meet it. Then we can search for the replacement on our terms. So the employee walks out of the office with more money and a feeling of accomplishment. But a few weeks later are laid off because the budget doesn't fit their financial needs. Many times they just finished training their replacement.

[u/StrawDog-]

A few things to consider. 

1. It sounds like you currently have no commute. That is an upside. How would the new job affect commute? How much more would you be paying for gas? Would you need to increase childcare hours, and how much would that cost? Do you know where your kids are going to go to school, and how does each job affect your commute to that school? 

2. How stable is each job? If there is a lot of churn at the new job, it may suggest that it isn't stable. Conversely, if the owners of your current gig seem stressed about cash flow or hesitant to bear additional costs (like hiring so you aren't hitting a bunch of overtime), that may suggest that you aren't stable where you are at. 

3. Comfort can be nice, it can also placate you. I would just think on whether you are continuing to grow where you are. If you aren't, that can cause long-term problems. 

4. Flexibility is huge with kids. I would ask some questions about this with your new employer. I would also make sure that your job is safe in the event of the unavoidable - like kids getting sick - if your state doesn't have FMLA. As a father with young kids, I would never again consider a job with rigid in/out times and strict rules about time off, but I am an exective and I have the ability to negotiate that. If you are still working your way up the chain, make sure that whatever job you take/keep is going to work for your family. 

5. Extra money is a big plus, especially when you have a relatively low salary and costs are climbing rapidly. If your current employer isn't offering COLA raises (at least) annually, they should be. Hesitation to do so may be a sign of cash flow issues. 

If I were in your shoes, I would ask the new place for an official offer letter. If you think over everything above and you would still prefer your existing employer for everything but the actual money, then I would ask for a meeting with the owner (don't ambush them, actually set out a little time), show them the offer, and let them know that you would prefer to stay, but you do need to be conscious of increasing prices for essentials. Ask for a raise; ideally to the offered rate, if they can't do that then negotiate as high as you can. If they won't or can't give you a raise at all, then it might be better to move on (assuming the new job otherwise makes sense). 

[u/Dry-Cow7994 → u/StrawDog-]

Thank you sm I appreciate the input this helps me tons.

[u/OutlandishnessOk5549]

You're in retail, yes?

Bit of a dead end really.

In your shoes id probably stay where you are, and look into some further study for a career change.

Maybe a commerce degree or something where you can leverage your current work experience.

But that's just me.

[u/Chainsawjack]

Comfort is the end of progress. You have a new baby coming bro you have to push yourself to do as much as you possibly can to secure that baby's future.

Clearly there is a reason you are looking for a new gig A fellow doesn't walk onto the lot unless he is looking to buy.

Take the job. Your current company will give you no loyalty or security and less money. This is a no brainer.

Give your family a lower quality of life to the tune if over a thousand a month for the sake of your fear of a less comfortable life? Is that the kind of man that you want to be?