Going back to a previous job

[nunpuncher]

A bit of background.

I work in a tech product role for a large international bank. I basically come up with the ideas and create new applications to support our internal processes. A kind of inventor/problem solver I guess. The bank is massive so all the separate areas are like individual businesses.

2 years ago I moved internally. I moved because the structure of the team at that time didn't work for me. My boss was fine but his boss was a cow. She screwed me over on a few things so I upped sticks. At the time I was working on a project with a guy who has since shot up the ladder. We got on really well and did some great things together. This guy is now in charge of his own department and has asked me to come work directly with him. This wouldn't be a promotion but a sideways move.

I'm struggling with the decision as I don't hate my new team and haven't really thought about leaving. I've received much better bonuses in this team and have a lot of freedom. The work is a little more stressful than before, it's a bit more competitive and it does feel a little less stable like 1 mistake puts you on the chopping block. The guy that runs tech here is also an ahole. Thankfully I rarely have to deal with him but his attitude does affect me as all the developers around are miserable due to him.

Would appreciate anyone's advice, experience or just outsider assessment as I tend to drive myself insane when I have options like this. Thanks.

[Greenmantle]

So this guy has shot up the ladder and probably got a handsome reward for it. If he isn't willing to share some of that reward then its a hard no.

In the work place the value of an employee is reflected in the reward. After nearly 15 years of zero increase in salary we have had huge increases in inflation which has led to wage increase as well has huge wage increase demands.

I think if this guy is wanting you then he needs to put his money where his mouth is.
Ask for Junior Doctor wage increase percentage. He can only say no.

[nunpuncher]

Unfortunately the way your basic wage works in here they can't offer increases for internal hires. It's basically a measure to stop all the areas stealing each others staff driving the total wage bill through the roof.

He could probably make a commitment in terms of bonus I suppose. And he did mention promotion but I don't really care about a new title. If anything it could make things more difficult.

[Simon_GH]

The culture of your working environment makes a huge difference to your wellbeing. Provided the salary is good enough then my two best career moves have been sideways.

There’s a strange view that we should always be seeking promotion rather than happiness satisfaction. There was some research that showed you boss makes as much of an impact on your wellbeing as your partner.

[miniman]

nunpuncher said:

Unfortunately the way your basic wage works in here they can't offer increases for internal hires. It's basically a measure to stop all the areas stealing each others staff driving the total wage bill through the roof.

Very common but utter sthousery. Really they are discriminating against you because you’re an existing employee and would pay an external hire more.

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

nunpuncher said:

Unfortunately the way your basic wage works in here they can't offer increases for internal hires. It's basically a measure to stop all the areas stealing each others staff driving the total wage bill through the roof.

He could probably make a commitment in terms of bonus I suppose. And he did mention promotion but I don't really care about a new title. If anything it could make things more difficult.

Do you know how he operates now he has shot up the ladder and runs his own department? What do his staff say about him?

I am presuming that when you worked with him before you were equals and that now he would be your boss.

I have seen instances where some people who shoot up the greasy pole change behaviours and/or bad managers in their desire to rise higher.

I once worked with someone who was fine when we were equals but when they became my boss, they became a different person.

[JimmyConwayNW]

Can't you negotiate to make the move and get some more money / bonus something out of it for you? Don't ask you don't get.

[shtu]

This person is headhunting you, and clearly thinks you are the man for the job.

It's up to him to make the offer attractive.

Bearing in mind you're the one carrying all the risk with a move - Has the role changed? Is he a scumbag to work for? Is there a poisonous project that needs a fall guy? Will your bonus drop to nothing? - there needs to be something there to attract you to it.

That can be the working conditions, more interesting work, promotion, whatever.

If I was in his shoes, I'd be trying to attract you via a promotion. He's shot up the ladder, he's got the budget and seniority, it's up to him to win you over. If he can't do that, maybe he isn't as far up the ladder as he likes to portray, and there's a poison dwarf above him that really pulls the strings.

Al things to consider.

Edited by shtu on Saturday 6th June 12:32

[nunpuncher]

Thanks for the thoughtful advice all. Just to add a bit more detail in response to some of the above..

He was already above me in the pecking order and was actually the person funding my seat before I moved. He's now another 2 levels up and the toxic manager he had before has been sideways shifted to limit the damage she was doing.

Working for him can be chaotic but you always know where you are with him and he's got a core of senior staff under him that's been with him for many years.

I know I'm possibly making it sound like a no brainer but it's just the fact I have absolutely no issues where I am currently, there's a better culture with this team but just get the feeling this position maybe doesn't have the potential future.

By pure coincidence my manager is visiting from the US next week so I'll maybe just talk openly to him about it.