A busy professional asked me this question:
Would you take a pay cut to leave a toxic workplace?
I am assuming that, by your question, you already have another offer from a company. Therefore, you have already made the decision to leave your current position and company. So, the question merely revolves around pay.
Focus on the real question
What you are really asking is: “should I stay in my current position until I receive another job offer that better meets my salary requirements”.
That is tricky. Unless you have worked at this new place before (or with someone that is currently there), you have no guarantee that this new place is less toxic. You risk switching from one toxic environment to another at lower wages.
On the other hand, if the new place offers more advancement and skill training opportunities, that may outweigh the short-term pay dependencies.
Design a better opportunity
My recommendation is to negotiate with the new company/manager (before accepting or declining the job offer) on additional benefits that will enhance your professional skills (both technical, and soft skills such as leadership, management and business strategies). Discuss advancement opportunities including timing. Although the new company cannot currently provide your desired salary there are several things you can do to create an even better option.
- Discuss alternative benefits such as flex time, additional certifications/training, additional vacation days, permission to attend and even speak at technical conferences, trade shows, expos, and professional associations.
- Explore alternative compensations for the short-come in the initial salary offer.
- Explore options that will eventually make you more attractive to this and other companies at the higher salary.
- Consider a 6 or 8-month salary review period.
- Work on the product – YOU, so that future employers will pay you what you are worth.
If you like their environment and the way they are negotiating with you, accept the position at the lower salary with the documented/contract agreement that in 6 or 8 months there will be a salary evaluation. If you perform above expectations and produce stellar results – they will review your salary requests and bump it. After all – this new company does not know you or your work ethic. They are taking as much of a chance on you as you on them. Providing a probation period to allow them to get to know you better (and you them) – allows you time to put everything into better perspective.
These negotiations will provide you with several things:
- Find out how about your new manager and company. The hiring phase is the time when companies but their best foot forward. If you don’t like the way they are handling these negotiations – you probably won’t like working there.
- Alternative employee benefits often outweigh the initial salary concerns.
- Gives both you and them time to know each other. If after 8 months – they decide not to provide a salary increase, you can make your next decision at that time.
- In the meantime, you have 8 months to become a real asset to the new company by learning new skills and adding to your resume/portfolio
If you discover that the new company is no better than the one you are currently – use this time to acquire new skills that will make you worthy of advancement opportunities (whether at your current company or a company in the future).
Often times – when you are focused on how to improve your value, you no longer notice the toxic environment because you are constantly looking for ways to improve yourself, your contributions and your business/working relationships. Once you have that mindset, you will be surprised how many worthy opportunities will magically present itself. At that time – this particular question becomes moot.
If you need tips on how to become an asset to any company – please setup a one-on-one consult.
If you need want to discuss in more detail, please setup a one-on-one consult session.
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Written by Laura Rose
Author of the business and time management books: TimePeace: Making peace with time – and The Book of Answers: 105 Career Critical Situations . Laura is a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management, and work-life balance strategies.