Just turned down a promotion to stay remote

Dec 61 min read

Not gonna lie, felt weird saying no to my boss today. It was a director-level position that would've been a 40% raise, but it required being in the Atlanta office 3 days a week. With Emma (5) and Mason (2), I realized I couldn't do it. My wife already works full time and we'd be scrambling for childcare coverage.

I know this sounds like I'm settling, but honestly? Picking my kids up from school before 6pm feels like the bigger win right now. Maybe I'm crazy.

10 comments71 views

Comments(10)

HHank C.RegularDec 6

This is real talk but the fact that this even feels weird to you shows how messed up the messaging around work-dad balance still is. You made a choice that works for your family. that's the right move

TTerry O.RegularDec 6

honestly respect this so much. 40% raise is a lot of money but those 3 days would've been brutal with a 5yo and however old Mason is

HHenry M.RegularDec 6

Turning down 40% raise hits different when you actually know what you're trading it for. A lot of guys take the promotion and then resent their family bc they never see them. You made the right call

JJamal W.RegularDec 8

How much did Emma factor into it vs Mason? Just curious if one kid made more of a difference or if it was the cumulative thing

PPete Y.RegularDec 7

This is real. Remote work is legit the best thing that happened to my time with my kids. 3 days commuting would be like 15+ hours of your week just gone. Plus the stress of Atlanta traffic

PPhil C.RegularDec 7

Did your boss seem understanding about it or did you get the awkward silence? I'm worried about asking for remote work with my company bc I don't want them to think I'm not ambitious

RRich B.RegularDec 7

People don't get it but man, being present for the random Tuesday afternoon stuff matters way more than the title. You made the right call

OOwen F.RegularDec 8

Honestly props for having the conviction to say no. Most people would panic and take it just for the money, then hate their lives. Emma's only 5 once though - that time's gone forever

CChad R.RegularDec 8

How did your boss take it? That's the part that always freaks me out about turning down promotions

JJoe C.RegularDec 8

I did something similar last year and honestly? No regrets. The money would've been nice but missing school pickups and bedtime? Nah. your kids are only small for so long