Switching jobs salary question (for H not me)

[liveintheville]

Spouse is considering a position at his old company. The company he was at before his current one. He's been at the new company for less than a year. 
The req is listed for $25-15k less than what he is currently making. They are probably willing to up it for him. But only to the point where it's the same money he's making now. However, he does not get a bonus from current company but has bonus potential with the new job. It's up to 30% bonus but usually is 15-20%.
It seems like a no brainer except the new job required him to travel. He'd be driving from Boston to Cranston, RI up to twice a week. The gas and travel inconvenience are some of the reasons he left in the first place. Also, I'm nervous about counting on a bonus. I feel like he needs to ask for a higher base salary than what he has now to even consider it.

Would you consider same pay + bonus a good enough deal? Or would you hold out for a higher base salary?

[Deleted]

Congrats to your H on getting an offer. He must have done something right for them to want him back.
We have never consider bonuses in the job offers that DH has gotten. Generally, when times get tough the first thing a company cuts is bonuses. Additionally, it always makes me nervous because criteria for a bonus can be changed. I would definitely ask about a higher base. If they say no, you will need to factor that in to your decision.
Travel sucks, imo. That distance (Boston to Cranston) isn't bad but if he dislikes it and left the job previously because of it I don't why he would consider it now.

[noodleoo]

I think I'd hold out for a higher base pay due to the travel twice a week. That's a lot plus gas and wear and tear on your car. I also would never rely on a bonus, but I haven't really worked anywhere that does them. But I would remember that if he changes jobs again, they probably won't count his bonus, just his base pay, since bonuses are obviously never guaranteed.

[LoveTrains]

What time of day is he driving to Cranston? That affects the traffic and my answer.

I mean my H commutes to Boston 3ish days a week and its not really that far.

[LoveTrains]

duplicate

[LoveTrains]

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[LoveTrains]

Omg sorry the app is going crazy

[Deleted]

I never calculate bonuses or commissions into my budget as they are not a given. I would hold out for a higher base salary, especially given the travel. Although Boston to Cranston may not be that bad depending on time of day as PP said.

[vtdiamond]

That's exciting 'ville! Did he like the old company more than the new, except for the traveling?
I'd probably hold out for a higher base salary before making the move.

[LoveTrains]

Back to the original question, same base salary plus 30% bonus could be good, but how is the bonus calculated? I think I need to know more of this info.

[kershnic]

I get the concept of not budgeting on a bonus since it's not guaranteed, but financially you're not gambling on much here. Chances are that there will be at least some bonus. If the base salaries are the same, base salary + possibility of a bonus as large at 30% > base salary alone. Worst case scenario it's the same money, and best case it's a lot more.

But as to whether or not to take the job, I don't know the back story, but there's nothing in your post about why he wants to change jobs. If he's happy in his current job I don't think this new offer is so alluring that I'd take on extra annoyance for it. But if there are other non-financial reasons to change jobs then with this offer you have almost nothing to lose and possibly something to gain. Of course my daily commute isn't much shorter than the "travel" you're talking about, so that might also color my opinion.

[chessie]

I would ask for a higher salary. Are these bonuses guaranteed or they sales oriented? I know with dh's and mine- if company doesnt sell x % no one gets a bonus. I would want a guaranteed salary first.

[liveintheville]

Hi! Sorry fell asleep before I could answer questions. Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

He left the old job because he was recruited for two jobs that were closer to home and more money. 

He'd be driving down to Cranston about 8:30. He does school drop off for Kid 1 so that's as early as he could leave. It's not a terrible drive but we notice a bit hit with gas and such. We barely use our car so it'll triple or quadruple what we typically spend on gas/mo. And it's less time with the kids, for him, since he doesn't get home until after 7 on the days he goes to Cranston.

Current job is in Watertown and pay is decent. Downside is they reorg-ed a couple months ago and have centralized the headquarters to Australia. So no upward movement. It's a private company so no real perks to working there. Main benefit is it's commute, allowing him to maximize evenings with the kids.Health insurance is high with both companies. Old company he's considering does do a 6% 401k match his current does not.

No idea how bonuses are structured. Definitely something he'll need to discuss. He wasn't eligible for a bonus with the company previously, but this will be a VP title which makes him eligible. So on paper it seems like a higher management job vs the company he's at now. It'll look better on a resume but he's not sure how much that matters to him. He's typically approached based on years of experience and technical abilities. He does have management experience, though. 

Sorry for the length. I hope I covered everything.

[aspentosh]

Jan 24, 2013 8:58:30 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I have a terrible memory and can't remember if there were other reasons he left the old job.  Does he like the old company and people there?  Is it just the (potential) money or is there some other compelling reason to go back?  Personally the travel would be a deal breaker for me for the same base salary, especially where you say that's a big part of why he left in the first place.  I think the potential extra money isn't going to make him feel better when he's actually dealing with that grind again.

Pretty much all of this.

If he left the previous company because of the drive, why would he go back for essentially the same salary he has now (not taking into account bonuses) and have to deal with the drive again?

[rikki]

This is not the same company that both of our husbands worked for, right? If it was, I would say go in a heartbeat. I have a feeling because of what you're saying with bonus (just eligible for the first time) that it is not.

[liveintheville]

Jan 24, 2013 9:04:00 GMT -5 rikki said:

This is not the same company that both of our husbands worked for, right? If it was, I would say go in a heartbeat. I have a feeling because of what you're saying with bonus (just eligible for the first time) that it is not.

Sadly no. It's the one he took after that.