MM job negotiation advice

[drloretta]

Back story: Worked FT for a company in a job I really liked for 5 years. Advanced after 3 years. Left when DD was born, but freelanced for them for another 4 years. Work got spotty, and I wanted something more regular, so I took a FT job in June.

I hate this new job with all my being. It's so mismanaged I have no idea how it's still around.

I started talking to my old boss, and he essentially created a remote WFH job for me. He accomplished this in 2 days.

So here's the rub. Proposed salary is $14k below what I'm making since June. Step down in responsibility/stress, PTO is crazy good. I feel like I have little to no negotiating room, as it's a position created for me. But I'm thinking I should push for at least an extra $4k. We don't need the money, but more is always better, LOL. What say you MM?

[WinterWine]

How big is that $14k. It's one thing if you are making $40k, but pretty different if you are at $120k. Do you want to work from home?

Definitely negotiate, I just feel like we need more info to really advise how to do it.

[drloretta]

Current salary is $94K, so drop to $80K. I do want to work from home. I've been reaching out recently to a recruiter that had WFH positions in my field, but nothing had dropped as of yet.

Childcare is set, no issues with getting things done with a preschooler underfoot. Money will go toward paying off our CC, then our truck payment, then fixing up our house.

Company loves me, I've been a reliable worker for them in some capacity since 2005.

Any more details, give me a shout.

[WinterWine]

How much better is the PTO? Assuming it's at least a week more, id counter back with something from 90-94 and expect to settle in the middle. It's reasonable for salary to be lower if responsibilities are lower, but hopefully you can get it closer to $87. Good luck and congrats on the offer!!

[drloretta]

In reality the PTO is a wash. At this job I negotiated 15 days, plus 3 personal days and 5 sick. At the new/old job, I'd get 18 days (for PTO and sick), plus they shut down between Christmas Eve and New Years.

I'm thinking of countering in the $84-85K range and seeing if they can meet me there. I'd be fine with that number.

[Deleted]

That sounds very reasonable. Come back at $85k. If they say no, take it and no worries.

[drloretta]

Update: They were only able to come up $2k, but I expected that given their budget constraints. I'm taking it, and I'm thrilled to work with them again.

[Lilac]

I'm glad it all worked out for you! $2k is better than nothing!

[WinterWine]

Yay!! I'm glad it worked out and you'll be in a better situation :-) congrats!