Salary or Better Workplace -Which one would you compromise on and why?

The Conqueror · 29-09-2011, 02:22 PM

Salary or Better Workplace -Which one would you compromise on and why?

If you have two job offers - one offering very good salary and the other one promising you a very friendly and exciting workplace. Which one would you choose?

And -
Would you narrow down your career choice on the basis of expected salary packages?

Please don't reply saying that both are equally important. The situation to be assumed is that both the offers have significant demarcations.

xtremevicky · 29-09-2011, 02:43 PM

You have to ask yourself this question .

At some point of time in your life you want money and sometimes Job satisfaction . I dont think Environment plays a big role to me . ( Just my opinion ) . It plays a role but that wont be a factor for me to join or reject a company .

I think you should know what is important to you right now . Life changes so does Priorities .

gagan007 · 29-09-2011, 02:48 PM

Well I for one do not give much attention to money. No, I do not come from a millionaire family but the values I got from my father worth the same. He is an honest government officer and we learnt it (the hard way ofcourse) that money is not at all important in life.

Coming back to your question I prefer workplace/work environment/job satisfaction anyday over salary. What I have understood in my 7 year career is that package doesn't increase only by hopping from one place to another. Onsite is a different thing, we can talk about it later but even if you remain in one place and "perform" you will not be far behind from your friends who have switched 2 or 3 companies during the same time.

Moreover what I have learnt is, whether I earn 10K (the amount I started my career with) or 65K all that money will go into something or another. I save, I do, but it is never enough. Bike, car, flat, bigger car, bigger flat, flights...there are soo many ways to spend all the money you earn.

So I would compromise on salary to get a better workplace.

rhitwick · 29-09-2011, 03:10 PM

How can someone offer (promise) friendly and exciting workplace? Something which is not countable or measurable!

The company which is offering better salary can also claim that they provide better work environment.

Did the other company explain what they meant when they told about "friendly and exciting" workplace.

Intelligent solution:-

Join teh company with good pay package.
After two years join the comany with good work environment.
Thus you get minimum 30% hike on ur present salary + better work environment.

furious_gamer · 29-09-2011, 03:28 PM

@rhitwick

Killer idea....

gopi_vbboy · 29-09-2011, 03:54 PM

I think company offering better packages have better workplace n work culture(unless its inf***s or wip**)

But i will never compromise on interest of ur field for salary....like jumping to business domain if u have interest in tech for hikes...

Quote:

Originally Posted by gagan007

Well I for one do not give much attention to money. No, I do not come from a millionaire family but the values I got from my father worth the same. He is an honest government officer and we learnt it (the hard way ofcourse) that money is not at all important in life.

Coming back to your question I prefer workplace/work environment/job satisfaction anyday over salary. What I have understood in my 7 year career is that package doesn't increase only by hopping from one place to another. Onsite is a different thing, we can talk about it later but even if you remain in one place and "perform" you will not be far behind from your friends who have switched 2 or 3 companies during the same time.

Moreover what I have learnt is, whether I earn 10K (the amount I started my career with) or 65K all that money will go into something or another. I save, I do, but it is never enough. Bike, car, flat, bigger car, bigger flat, flights...there are soo many ways to spend all the money you earn.

So I would compromise on salary to get a better workplace.

+1 ...

gagan007 · 29-09-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopi_vbboy

I think company offering better packages have better workplace n work culture(unless its inf***s or wip**)

Exactly my sentiments

I would not say more on this as people may get hurt.

Sarath · 29-09-2011, 04:19 PM

This is a no brainer when you look at the bigger picture. Better work place obviously. You want peace of mind or a stash of money at the cost of that. However I hope the difference is not enormous.

Bad office environment > More stress > Come home and fight / argue (increased irritability) > Marraige on the rocks > Broken marraige > Expensive divorce > Savings lost

So better go for nice enviro for happy life.

Spoiler:

prasath_digit · 23-10-2011, 06:04 PM

Ques: Salary or Better Workplace?

Ans: Better Workplace

The Sorcerer · 24-10-2011, 10:10 AM

Salary first. Earn and save as much money as possible while you still can and while you're still young and single. When you get older, settled down nicely, get promoted and stuff, that's when you can afford to think of better workplace. Growth is inevitable anyways, but savings are more important especially in this day of age.

Its not necessary that places who gives good salary will be bad work places. Logically speaking, if they can spend a lot of money on you then they should have a friendly and quality workplace- unless its some lame agency that calls itself as a company but practices certain questionable work ethics.

What Rhitwick says is how usually people do it. Others usually work for 5-10 years slaving in a company and then apply for another job in another company. Getting a significant Pay hike/better job designation is usually higher and they'll give you a job with a confidence that you have stayed in a company for a long time, so if everything is hunky dory it should be the same case for them.

Faun · 24-10-2011, 10:35 AM

Both.

sam9s · 24-10-2011, 10:40 AM

I have been working for around 10 years now .... initially we also used to have all sorts of discussion on Job Satisfaction, workplace blah blah ..... but believe me in the long run after you have a family to run ...... a Decent salary is ALL that counts and keeps you going. Rest just becomes a compromise ........

Skud · 24-10-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam9s

I have been working for around 10 years now .... initially we also used to have all sorts of discussion on Job Satisfaction, workplace blah blah ..... but believe me in the long run after you have a family to run ...... a Decent salary is ALL that counts and keeps you going. Rest just becomes a compromise ........

Worked/Working for 5 years in multiple organizations. Fully agree with you. All that counts is salary and perks at the end of the day. Others be damned. Better workplace? Our office is probably the finest example of complete office discomfort. Yet, considering the amount of workload and the salary/perks we get, geekspeek, its total VFM.

mitraark · 24-10-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam9s

I have been working for around 10 years now .... initially we also used to have all sorts of discussion on Job Satisfaction, workplace blah blah ..... but believe me in the long run after you have a family to run ...... a Decent salary is ALL that counts and keeps you going. Rest just becomes a compromise ........

I'll remember that , thanks

**asingh** · 24-10-2011, 06:28 PM

I also have 10 years of experience. And it is the salary which is the biggest factor. No place no matter what they say can guarantee a "better" workplace. Happiness is subjective and difficult to equate. For me the biggest factors are skillset, JD, company profile (stock status/market value) and the location. Salary comes by default. I really do not go seeking for happiness or a dandy-hoola ho type of environment. Personally holier than thou companies (which live on a pretext of always happy) irritate me to no end.

Just seek a good package and the line of work you are interested in. Keep foresight -- where will I stand 5 years from now, if I pick up this job.

rhitwick · 24-10-2011, 07:14 PM

Bhai, my idea is best... The best. Aur kisika mat sun.

**MetalheadGautham** · 24-10-2011, 08:02 PM

I think a person should always look for maximum "profitability" in whatever he does. And profitability is not money alone, nor does it exclude money completely. You need enough dough to keep you going. At the same time a job in a field of interest might ensure you love the job and hence grow a lot faster. And workplace happiness is relative - again priorities might be different as would be contexts.

While I'm rather inexperienced compared to most guys here, this method of checking "overall profitability" of any and every decision I've made has ensured that I've nothing to regret or feel guilty about

sujoyp · 24-10-2011, 09:49 PM

Ok I too have 4 years job experience in multiple companies from CA firm to MNC ....My main reason to leave a company was common thats poor work environment - no chance to learn new things, no growth options, no appraisal for good work all the credits senior team member take, idiot senior member with poor knowledge etc...money was never a factor

I think if I get proper path to grow, a good senior member to learn from, some training from company... I would certainly get a good job with better working condition and pay package

Minion · 24-10-2011, 10:40 PM

+1 for better work place money is not everything you need,Again if a firm is paying you handsome package but it has corporate politics,and they don't allow any growth what a person will do with all that money. He have no growth it means he is standing in same position when he has joined a company I will prefer better work place.

rhitwick · 25-10-2011, 12:07 AM

@Minion, do you do job? Any job? Anywhere?

"money is not everything...." lol

If your answer is yes...well, you are sleeping then...wake up!

Every company has office politics (not corporate politics). And what is "allowing growth"...you have to be aggressive enough to grow. The MNCs are dog-eat-dog world. Lazy and laid back people wither won't survive or would take time to grow...

sam9s · 25-10-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minion

money is not everything you need,.

lol ... let me Guess, you are single, youngest of the family and living with parents .......

sujoyp · 25-10-2011, 10:34 AM

@rhitwick ....its not true for every person nor for every company

If u get a boss who have a habit of taking blah blah for every work you do and never appreciate you for any work...you will definitely get frustrated one day...

Take one more example - suppose your boss is a Maharashtrian and have a slight mindset of "Me Maratha, Apla Maharashtra" (I am maratha, my Maharashtra) type of attitude...he would always give preference to maharashtrian ...you will get frustated very soon

This type of office things make me very angry...Money!!! huh I would get a better job

sam9s · 25-10-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sujoyp

If u get a boss who have a habit of taking blah blah for every work you do and never appreciate you for any work...you will definitely get frustrated one day...

which world are you living, every boss 9 out of 10 time is the way you have described. If Boss is appreciative, colleagues wont be, other senior might have a problem, .... point is corporate politics will ALWAYS follow you every where you go ..... how so ever convenient workplace be. If you get frustrated by all this, you would keep changing jobs the whole life ... ......in the long run all you learn is to STFU keep you head down and keep working ..... what might ease your frustration is that you get to take away 50K-1L at the end of the month. Your family (wife n kid) is happy, your are happy and that is all what counts in the long run at the end of the day ,,,,,,,

rhitwick · 25-10-2011, 12:20 PM

Dude I've been through those days.

My boss once convincing me to stay in project ended up saying "forget those dark ages...". He accepted he did wrong...

But, that is not the point. In that 3 yrs duration I've observed people who achieved what they wanted. They were ready to do anything for that. ANYTHING!

I was not, I was stiff and arrogant and honest. I lost.

sujoyp · 25-10-2011, 12:48 PM

@rhitwick I am somewhat like u then

...but really I wont bear any boss after an acceptable limit...

@sam9s You r right that most of the bosses r like that...but some play politics/pranks with you like giving extra workload, stopping you for overtime, not giving you halfday, wont scold a sexy gal for the same issue
but some r real bad like scold you even for good work, give negative remarks on appraisal meetings, wont let you get training, give last minute work just 2 mins before leaving

I have a real bad experience when I was in a manufacturing company as an IT executive/ERP executive ....That DGM scolded me black and blue with all those ^&%&% language (in hindi)

Left the job without even intimating him...what do you want me to do ?? work for money there

**MetalheadGautham** · 25-10-2011, 01:03 PM

BTW offtopic but here is a pic I'd like to share

Look @ Intern and Employee

sam9s · 25-10-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sujoyp

@sam9s You r right that most of the bosses r like that...but some play politics/pranks with you like giving extra workload, stopping you for overtime, not giving you halfday, wont scold a sexy gal for the same issue
but some r real bad like scold you even for good work, give negative remarks on appraisal meetings, wont let you get training, give last minute work just 2 mins before leaving

These situations are pretty common if you ask me, yes some might go to extremes and its you to decide when the line is crossed, but evey corporate has the same story.

Quote:

I have a real bad experience when I was in a manufacturing company as an IT executive/ERP executive ....That DGM scolded me black and blue with all those ^&%&% language (in hindi)

Left the job without even intimating him...what do you want me to do ?? work for money there

Nope, look for another option with better money ...

..... but until then, deal with it ..... not sure what exactly was your issue,but there are always ways to deal with extreme situations, which is what we call corporate diplomacy and politics .....

Leaving job is easy when you have nothing to loose or no one to support ..... again not sure your material status, but 5 years down the married line with a kid and living alone, given the same situation, you would think twice, thrice before leaving the job. Until then you stay, bear the frustration, learn ways to deal with it, learn ways to survive ..... survive and win in this corporate world. That is what experience is all about ...... after all believe me, there would always be problems around you in every corporate job you join. you cant expect to quite every time, can you, specially as I said when you have extra mouths to feed...... think about it .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhitwick

I was not, I was stiff and arrogant and honest. I lost.

Even I was arrogant, stiff, adamant, honest, contradicting, impatient, ....... and even I lost .... lost again ....and again, then again and 5 years down the line loosing ....now I have almost no arrogance, all acceptance, boss is always right attitude, total patience ....... see all say nothing temperament, flow with the crowd attitude and the last 5 years I have managed to stay with one company, increased my salary by leaps and bounds and kept my family contended ......... though the work environment is still crap, Boss is still an *******, and most of the people are still hooligans ..... story is still the same all that changed was me ..

PS :: Though the quality of my work was always the same right from day one...... all that changed was the attitude to adjust with the corporate world