My current job
- job scope: software engineering
- company C (MNC company)
- employment type: permanent and already confirmed
- fully WFH
- basic Monthly Salary: RM 9,300 per month
- Annual leave: 14 days per year
- Sick leave: 14 days per year
- Medical Coverage: Cover myself and family (50k hospitalization for each person in the family)
- Contribution to EPF and SOCSO
- duration in the company: 6 months


Job offered
- job scope: software engineering
- salary is under Company A but work for Company B (Oil & Gas)
- employment type: Contract 1 year (renewable) - the guy said if I perform, I can become permanent for Company B. Not sure how true though.
- fully WFO (travelling time is ~45min x 2 = 1.5h)
- basic Monthly Salary: RM 16,000 per month
- Annual leave: 12 days per year
- Sick leave: 10 days per year
- Medical Coverage : Cover only myself (RM45k hospitalization)
- Contribution to EPF and SOCSO

I am 40+ already. So far I am happy with my current job and my manager is good and understanding. I quite enjoy my job scope and have the chance to use modern tech. My boss also encourages Work-Life balance (I am married with 8 month old daughter) and time flexibility because I am fully WFH.

Now that, I have this offer. Although the salary jump is huge, it is a contract (lower job security) and fully WFH also means I won't have the time flexibility and freedom.

What is your advice?

To be frank, at your age, with an 8mo, contract-based nature of the new job can be daunting. You will always be struggling with anxiety if you take that on. Never ever believe mere words with no actual contract.

It just sounds like the A guy is just saying things to have you over easily. Employees are all expendable.

Finally, at 44, you will definitely appreciate the flexibility of working with C. The short time you have with your daughter as she's growing up, that realization will set in when time passes. They grow up so fast

Edit: Apologies, not sure why I read you as 44 haha. You get the gist

This post has been edited by cYus: Jan 19 2023, 01:44 PM

just my 2 cents, i think you've kinda answered your own question. you're concerned with the time flexibility and job security which company A (im assuming it's a manpower company) is not able to offer u.

since you already have a good manager, flexible time, enjoyable job and a permanent employee (having lesser risk with the talks surrounding about tech glut), why not stick to company C and probably use the time at home to take up freelance jobs online ? since this is an MNC, im guessing the benefits should be superior to company A as well? the ones you've listed are basically basic and statutory.. moreover, you've been only there for 6 months which might be a little too soon to jump the ship?

either way, i wish you all the best and may you make the best decision.

This post has been edited by vinoth: Jan 19 2023, 01:48 PM

You have to consider the worst case scenario. +40, will it be easy for you to get new jobs with similar package as Option A if your contract for Option B is not renewed after 1 year?

Salary bump isn't that much if you consider the reduction of medical benefits for your family + having to WFO.

No Position / Employment type is Perma. Contract or Perma IS ALL "on the line"
if you are indispensable to any company. U should worry about your health. not your career. ( like CR7, Messi ) jump or no jump, quit or start own, you will be fine.

1 warning. The moment you found yourself in comfort zone. You start rotting.
either you actively seeking challenge.
OR
when life challenge you, you will found yourself in very weak position

Thanks, guys for all the advice and your thoughts . I kind of know what I should do.

Yeah, my health at this age.

yeah, there is a period of my career when I am in the comfort zone and that explains my salary remained stagnant in those years.

only after I upskill myself in recent years, my salary started to up back.

Go for the higher salary, even if your contract doesn’t get renewed, with your skills and experience, am sure you can command a higher salary after your contract job.

If the position is under Company B, very likely I will take the offer

Contract I assume no bonus, what about bonus in ur current company? Sometimes after factor in the bonus the annual income diff wont be that huge.

If u have no kid yet definitely is to jump, but since u have kid, another consideration is u might lost 1.5~2 hours family time, and even after travel bck from work u might be too tired to entertain ur kid. Just my 2cents.

This post has been edited by ragk: Jan 20 2023, 12:20 PM

Contract employment comes with the risk. No doubt it is high pay but those high pay already taking into consideration of risk of being contract non renewal at the end of contract tenure. During the retrenchment, the contract worker is always the first to let go. The company will be ruthless. The 2nd to let go will the the staff who joined last , the 1st to let go.

If you have permanent posting with flexibility of work, I'll said hang on to this job first, don't trade of this aspect for the higher pay & risker employment condition. Until you find another permanent post , with similar flexible working hours + higher pay, then only consider to change.

Whenever you change a new environment, there is always a gamble / risk taking whether you can click well with your immediate employer. This element you cannot under estimate it as well. You need to built new trust & it will takes time until the new company may be comfortable to gives you the flexible working environment.

The main problem is the long commute. Some people are OK with it, but I personally HATE having to commute to work.

You could have spent those two hours on the road learning new skills or just spending time with your family.
Not to mention that it will drain your energy and increase carbon emission.

Also take into account car maintenance, petrol, toll, your personal energy level, overall quality of life, and FLEXIBILITY.

The first job offers more intangible benefits.