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I currently work for a medical clinic as the Systems Administrator along with Programming of the EMR. The clinic administrators have agreed to sell the clinic to another healthcare corporation. I have recently recieved an offer to join another company although it would require 50 to 70% travel. There are a lot of unknown questions as to whether we will be retained, if we are retained will we have to take a paycut. I’m just not sure if I stick it out or jump while I can. Right now my wife and I are leaning towards just sticking it out and see what happens.

18 Spice ups
2

I would jump, unless you don’t like to travel, or have kids - etc.

Remember that the new company has no commitment to keep you.

6 Spice ups
3

Normally it’s a known vs an unknown but in your case it’s dueling unknowns.

If the travel is a deal-breaker then stick it out.

If you don’t have the income (wife) or savings for a job loss, take the new job.

You can always take the resume hit and move jobs again later.

Good luck man.

3 Spice ups
4

Not sure of other peoples experiences, but generally from what I’ve seen, mergers/acquisitions are not generally good for IT staff. Keeping you on is definitely a toss up. Maybe do a little bit more research before jumping ship, you could also throw your resume out there and see if you get any other prospects if you don’t want to travel. 50-70% travel is rough if you’re married/have kids.

3 Spice ups
5

^^^ THIS ^^^

ASK HER FIRST. So much spice

4 Spice ups
6

Take it from someone that decide not to Jump. Jump, Jump now!!! That is what your gut is telling you so do it.

4 Spice ups
7

Agree with Rojo

If your wife isn’t on board, then you’re riding out the storm. There is something to be said though for taking a leap of faith. Weigh out the risk vs the reward, its all a matter of what you’re willing to live with, or in some cases not live with.

Good luck!

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+1 to getting the wifes approval.

Depends on the kind of travel, does it mean that you will be gone for weeks at a time or just a lot of time spent out of the HQ at sub locations, also are you properly compensated for the travel.

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Stick it our until it makes you unhappy. If it doesn’t make you unhappy then you worried over nothing.

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This is really a question around what you want. Not something that we can probably answer. There are risks either way. For me, 50% travel would be a “get to” not “have to” feature. I love to travel and would always be excited to do something new. I like challenge and change. But that’s not for everyone.

8 Spice ups
11

This cannot be spiced enough.

1 Spice up
12

I totally agree, which is why I have been keeping her up to speed on all that has been going on. She is on board with the other job but is hesitant on giving me the green light because we have a 6 year old and a High school senior. Thanks for all the replies, it has been difficult but we have both been preparing ourselves for the inevitable. If that does not happen and am offered a position with the new company, it would make it all that much better. It does help that she is a Nurse, so financially we will be ok.

2 Spice ups
13

This is always a tough decision. The offer to take the new job will only be there for so long. then they will move on to the next person.

Don’t just look at the travel aspect. will this further your career? will you be able to find a new job after taking this position that require less to no travel? are the benefits in line with current or better? can you stick out the travel short term for longer term goals?

And have to agree with the others that if your wife is not on-board for you doing that much travel? then you should either look for something with less travel or try to stick it out.

Has anyone talked to the new company to see what their plan is? can you go around the helmet (so to speak) to find out what their plans are for your department?

14

Ok, well with the 6 year old at home, I would change my vote to not travel. I traveled all over the State of California when my oldest was little. It was not good. I had no choice could not find another IT Job back then now no problem. Always put wife and family first you are the head of the household. Especially having the cushion of the wife’s job you can do what you need to and pick and chose your next position. So weigh everything very carefully. Then Jump!!! LOL

15

If your wife is on board then this comes down to what you are comfortable with. As a father of small children, I get your apprehension. For me, it would depend on the travel. If I’m running around a fairly small geographical area and not gone for days or weeks at a time, all the time, yeah sure, bring it on. But that’s just me.

16

Not sure I saw this, but why not “research” the new company to actually find out if they are outsourcing, have their own staff or will be looking for you for guidance/direction? I have been in a similar boat and so far so good. If travel is “really” an issue, then you need to find another option anyway.

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Make the list – pros and cons and weight the important items accordingly. Do the math (total up) and see what it comes out to to ASSIST in making your decision. Of course, wife/significant other always trumps the math! :slight_smile:

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Look at it this way. If you don’t get your wife’s agreement, all that travel will be an advantage!

2 Spice ups
19

You could always ask if you will be retained?

I always like to be open with my employer so I’d make it clear that I had another job offer but would like to remain at the company and what happens. It could be that they tell you there and then that the job won’t be available and your decision is made for you or it might be that they want to keep you (and offer to not give you a pay cut).

1 Spice up
20

Van Halen said it best:

Might as well jump. Jump !

Go ahead, jump.

Get it and jump. Jump !

Go ahead, jump.

2 Spice ups