What are the offers you got while looking for a new job?
I'm still here only because the offers I've received so far are much worse than what I have here. I wouldn’t want to be paid less than I am now, and unfortunately, it looks like I’ll have to accept that if I want to get out of here. And I want to, ASAP.
Went from term opt making $41 per hour at T, to a contractor that paid $33 per hour and with 8 hours of OT per week, you would make the same as weekly at T without OT. The work was a lot easier than T, however. Mostly aerial fiber gigs/make ready, and almost no underground overpull.
Then went to another contractor as a supervisor making $85K per year and a take home vehicle (Ford Focus) plus an at work pickup truck (Ford F-150), or a CDL line truck when I helped out some of the aerial crews. My take-home pay was about the same as T without OT, but didn't have to pay for my commute gas/wear and tear; and, a lot less taxing on the body. In any case, a lot out there to make similar pay.
It is difficult at best trying to land another job outside of T for more coin. It can be done but most end up taking a pay cut. In the long run, it's probably better to leave T even with a pay cut. Your health is more valuable than anything else, T is a very unhealthy place to be right now.
Well this is just my story, but here it goes.
I was part of the DTV acquisition, and ended up on the surplus list for Oct 2020. I initially applied for a few internal positions with different departments within T, and actually interviewed with two hiring managers. Things looked very good for me landing a spot with a team in Mobility, and everything looked like it would end in an offer.
I was also sending out a lot of resumes to other companies at the same time, and also had several nibbles. One opportunity stood out, and I could feel they would make me an offer
I thought about the two. The T offer would be at the same rate of pay, etc, just in a different org. The outside opportunity was with a non-profit organization and would come at a pay cut.
I called the hiring manager for the T position and told him I was withdrawing. I realized that even with a pay cut, the outside offer was better because I would no longer have to deal with all the garbage that comes with T. No more worrying about the next layoff. No more embarrassment when people asked where I work. No more townhalls. No more Stink. No more of that horrible, poisoned, stressful, annoying, dysfunctional workplace.
I haven't regretted my choice for a second. Sure, I don't earn as much, but then again I don't live a lavish lifestyle. My current pay is more than adequate. And that extra money that would come with a T job just is not worth my dignity, sanity, and mental contentment.
No judgment on anyone who would choose the other way. I get it, T paid very well. But ... now look at things: no bonus, no raises, benefits eviscerated, threats of layoffs, shrinking business, and you still have to deal with Stink as your boss.
If you see me, say hi. I'm the guy happy to no longer be working at T.
Agree, never go backwards..... The only reason you are working is for the actual paycheck today (hopefully), not some promise of something in the future that may or may not ever be realized..
No matter which side of the fence you are looking from, the grass always looks greener on the other side, but then the new wears off and you look back and the grass looks greener than you remember.
Leave for more money but stay if they only give promises of possible things to come.
It's going to be hard to find a better package at another company in this economy. Stick with the devil you know.