General Discussions

**ndaru** · 10-17-2006, 10:59 AM

It's been two and a half months since I left my old job, and now my former boss wants me back.

I've worked as a software developer at an IT consultant company for more than 3 years. By the time I resigned, I left behind some finished projects and modules. Apparently, the company has decided that it would be more practical to have me back, rather than to hire and retrain someone new, and make him/her familiar with the company's software development standard. Of course, this comes with a promise of raise and other incentives.

I've built my website since my days at the office, earning an extra sum of money. Since I work full time on that website, I've earned more than my old monthly salaries. I must admit that I miss my days at the office, the job, and mostly, the people. It can be so lonely here, sitting in front of my computer for 15 (or more) hours a day with no one to talk to (online chatting does not count).

There is no animosity between me and the company. I still maintain a good contact with my former boss and colleagues.

Should I stay? Or should I go back to my old office job? Please, any advices/stories/perspectives will be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

**MonkeyBiz** · 10-17-2006, 11:04 AM

I would stay. You can always find time to work on your site.

**dogisland** · 10-17-2006, 11:06 AM

How about a compromise.

Go back on the condition you'll split your time 50/50 between the company and your own projects.

That way both will benefit.

**woodside** · 10-17-2006, 11:13 AM

Does your current website require full-time maintenance? That would be a major consideration for me, if you can go back to your old job and still make decent money off your site that would make the decision a lot easier.

**ndaru** · 10-17-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

How about a compromise.

Go back on the condition you'll split your time 50/50 between the company and your own projects.

That way both will benefit.

I think that's not possible. The old job requires a full-time commitment.

Quote:

Does your current website require full-time maintenance? That would be a major consideration for me, if you can go back to your old job and still make decent money off your site that would make the decision a lot easier.

Maintaining the website has been easier recently, since the site is mature and I've learned some of the trade. So yes, it's possible. Still, based on this year's experience, I wouldn't be able to maintain more than one websites, regardless of the size, since the overhead cost will remain the same.

**Hobbit** · 10-17-2006, 05:51 PM

This is one of the examples when money doesn't buy happiness. Sure you might get more money with your site, but you won't meet any people, girls, etc. I would definately go to my old job, and I'm sure you could still earn some money with your site.

**obenix** · 10-17-2006, 11:34 PM

It sounds like your old boss wants you for you to complete your work and maybe that's the end of it.
If I were in your shoes, I'll negotiate a higher than usual salary package to compensate for the opportunity loss in building sites.

**capitalistpig** · 10-18-2006, 12:02 AM

I'd say screw 'em. Go join a gym or get envolved with events outside a work environement to feed your social needs.

Now if I could only follow my own advice.

**DruSam** · 10-18-2006, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capitalistpig

I'd say screw 'em. Go join a gym or get envolved with events outside a work environement to feed your social needs.

Now if I could only follow my own advice.

Best advice yet. Stick it to the man, work for yourself. If you want to be social, join a non-profit and volunteer.

**ndaru** · 10-18-2006, 04:07 AM

Quote:

This is one of the examples when money doesn't buy happiness. Sure you might get more money with your site, but you won't meet any people, girls, etc. I would definately go to my old job, and I'm sure you could still earn some money with your site.

Quote:

I'd say screw 'em. Go join a gym or get envolved with events outside a work environement to feed your social needs.

Thank you everyone. Reading the replies got me into thinking left and right. I guess this is much better than having it later. I can't tell if I'm now happier or not. Both my old and current occupation have their own moment of happiness as well as depression.

Some people I know said that I am a person who can't make and stick to a decision. Heck, asking for that resignation was hard enough. Especially when my boss asked me, "Are you sure?", a couple of times. And now this. It wil be a lot easier if he just didn't make the offer. I fear that for me it's not about making the right decision, but more about making a decision.

**imported_illusion** · 10-18-2006, 07:43 AM

I am also another that says screw it to your old job.

**hav0k** · 10-18-2006, 07:14 PM

I agree with everyone saying forget your old job. They past is the past. You need to figure out why you want to go back to your old job.

Is it the money? If so, work harder on your sites or start up another one or two.

Is it what you did at your old job? If so, start doing small projects based around what you did at your old job.

Was it the people you worked with? If so, call them up and go party on the weekends or just go chill at their house.

Is it the social interaction? If so, join a gym or volunteer like the others said. Get out of your house once and awhile and keep your social life up. It is hard to live without one, it almost seems pointless to be alive unless you are doing something that involves interaction with others once and awhile.

If it is another reason then just sit down and try to figure out what you could possibly get out of going back to work for someone else.

**JustinG** · 10-18-2006, 10:07 PM

I think you should talk to your boss maybe to increase your wages and maybe work less as to make time for your site while still having to go to work for the extra cash to fund your site and provide some social time.

**neverknow1** · 10-19-2006, 05:38 AM

Well, life is like that you gotta make up your mind. Sometimes you can have both but a compromise solutions.

Since you mention that the office maintenance is easier than b4. Y not talk to your ex-boss, ask him employ you as consultant? You work for him for 4-6 hours a day or 3-4 full days a week and get some pay.

I know someone might said you can work for yourself and get more income but you also feel the loneliness to work at home. I understand how you feel as I am also work from home.

I don't think receive pay from someone but you work on your own works full time. This is not nice to your boss. You can tell your boss, you still like the job but you need to earn more. So, just work o n consultant basis should be the compromise in between.

This is my 2 cents thoughts, you may / maynot consider this.

**A.N.Onym** · 10-19-2006, 06:58 PM

As said before, make up your mind on what you want in life.

You either want money, or enjoy doing what you do. Pick the course you'd enjoy going the most and go for it.

I can't advise about the choice, really, but I'd probably go back to the company if the atmosphere and payment there is alright.

Then again, you can go on a short vacation and think about it then. It may be a bit clearer after it.

**imported_SophMedia** · 10-22-2006, 06:29 PM

You know, it's funny this same situation sort of happend to me. Rather than already leaving and getting asked to come back, I comprimised on the way out. It's clear that you like the environment of this job (or at least the people) so working remote doesn't give you all of the benefits you're looking for, so why not opting to work a 'partial load'. Like another poster mentioned, working on your side of things half the time, and on theirs the other half.

I did this for my current employer, working 3 days a week onsite (although I would have opted to work remotely if they would have let me) for them, and the rest of the week (which turned into the other 4 days) for myself.