.png)
This is long, so bear with me.
I used to work part-time at a real estate office from March 2017-July 2018 as a receptionist. When I started, I thought it wasn't so bad. I liked my coworkers and the agents were awesome to work with. As time went on, I noticed toxicity, drama, and bullshit with upper management. 2 of them caused 99% of the stress that we felt. It was a completely toxic environment. My 2 coworkers who were fellow receptionists also felt the tension. Every time Friday rolled around, I dreaded it because I worked weekends. Whenever I would go in, I would get the urge to walk out and go home. I remember one time I asked for Sunday off because of Orthodox Easter. I went to the restroom and when I came out, they were both outside screaming at each other.
In June 2018, I found resumes for my position and I knew then and there they were planning to fire me. Luckily I found my full-time job that I'm at now a few weeks later. I left July 2018, but I still worked the weekends because the person who was supposed to replace me never showed. Luckily, someone called and said they sent their resume. I let my boss know and they hired her. By that time I was already at my new job and absolutely burnt out waiting for a new hire to start so I can train them. Since I left, I would hear that when new people would start, they didn't last very long. Also, soon after I left, one of the upper management left to work at our sister office in another location and the other who worked in management became the team leader. I still keep in touch with some agents, and 2 of them invite me to a client BBQ that they host every year.
Fast forward to 2020 when people were starting to go back to the office, I was contacted and asked if I could help out on the weekends while they found a new receptionist. The new full-time receptionist was there and told me she was quitting because she couldnt take working there and it was affecting her health. I said ok and was there for a few weeks, but I had to stop because it was too much for me in addition to working full-time. They understood thankfully.
Fast forward again to 2024, I get a text from my old coworker who is now an agent asking me if I would be willing to come back. My coworkers know that I've been looking for a higher paying job for a long time now. I've been on interviews, but no luck. The job pays in the low $40,000's which is not a lot. I told him I'll send over my resume, but I'm not promising anything. When they called me for an interview, I was not excited at all. I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. My coworkers told me that the former management who became team leader got fired, and hired a new one who is much nicer and it's not a toxic environment anymore....but I still have my doubts. I have an interview on Tuesday. I'm going to ask of they offer any benefits such as health insurance. If they don't, I'm not accepting the job. For membere who are outside the US, our health insurance is offered through our jobs.
This job is closer to my house. My commute home currently is almost 2 hours.
I told my parents about this opportunity. My dad says it's not worth it because of the salary, and to stay where I am until something better comes along. My mom says to go for it and to stop thinking about the past and making it negative.
I don't know about this. I'm applying to other companies that pay more, but it is hard trying to find something. I want to move forward, and I feel like I'm going backwards.
I really need advice on this. Am I over thinking this? Or am I right to be apprehensive?
Your experience working there wasn't the best, I think it's normal to feel that way. Work may not be fun, but it's not supposed to be dreadful.
Since you're going to have an interview on Tuesday, taking the chance to look around and get a feel of the situation might be a good idea. Try talking to the workers you know, too, if possible. Trust your gut. If you still doesn't feel like taking up their offer after that, it might not be worth it.
You can also make pros and cons list of the benefits (both material and mental) of both the job you have and their offer after the interview. And then, see what aligns with what you want and need the most. Do the pros make the cons worth it? Is the offer really better than your current job?
Like, my brother is staying at his current job even though his pay is average because his department is full of nice people. Plus it's within walking distance from home. He loves going to work. Some people are motivated by the financial reward, so stressful jobs are ok if they get paid enough. Some work at jobs with good insurance even though it's dreadful because it covers the treatment they need. Some people put time flexibility above all else even though the pay isn't great.
Whatever you choose, I wish you all the best. Good luck!
It sounds like nobody else wants to work there, and others leave because it’s toxic.
They keep calling you because they are obviously desperate.
Why give any more energy to a LV workplace? Why even go for an interview - it makes no sense. It’s like going on a date with a horrible scrote, when you KNOW he’s a horrible scrote.
Also consider: your current benefits like health insurance and PTO are worth about 20% or more of your base salary. So going back, you’d actually be losing that extra 20%.
Why go somewhere you’ll lose emotional and mental health, plus financial well-being. You deserve better.