A year ago I was working for Company X (web development startup). At first I was very happy, everything was organized and going smoothly but as we started getting more projects I started having more responsibilities because apparently I was very good at what I was doing.
So I started handling multiple projects at the same time and doing the work of 10 people.
Design (UX/UI, logos, visuals, brochures, etc.), meetings with all our clients at night 7, 8, 9 PM even at 10 PM few times a week because our clients were based in USA so there was time difference, requirements gathering, project management, QA testing, and so on.
I wasn't getting paid enough and I was working overtime some days. I used to start everyday from Monday to Friday 8-9 AM till night (if we had late night meetings)
I saw a job vacancy ad on Linkedin at a very famous design agency so I decided to apply thinking things would be better there, boy I was wrong.
Anyway, I got a job offer from the design agency and resigned from Company X after 1 year of working for them and of course Company X's boss gave me a counter offer, basically more money. If he was willing to raise my salary that much, we could've done it while I was there, so I said no and left on good terms of course.
When I left Company X, things went downhill for them & it was very bad because I was doing everything there lmao. Everyone who came after me couldn't handle the work or were not qualified enough so the position was never fully filled as people were coming and leaving.
My ex-coworkers (whom I'm in contact with and good friends) used to tell me to come back, even my boss told me to come back at some point because they can't find anyone like me.
I stayed at that design agency for 8 months and I couldn't handle the toxic environment and the shitshow that was happening there so I left (a lot of people were leaving when I started working there, and a lot left when I resigned) and now I'm focusing on freelance only and making much more than what I was getting paid at Company X & design agency combined while setting my own time and choosing my own projects.
I was contacted by Company X boss last week as we're on good terms and he asked how I was doing, how things are at work and that he's looking for a designer if I know anyone. I told him I left the agency (he was going to find out anyway, and I wouldn't lie to him) and explained why I left, he gave me an offer on spot (big number salary and other good benefits). I told him I'll think about it.
Fast forward today (Tuesday), we had a call and I told him my concerns, and if I come back I want to have work-life balance, no more working overtime + less responsibilities. He got excited and said he's okay with my terms and we decided that I start next Monday.
He already sent me a website a client I worked with wants to redesign as my 1st task when I start on Monday (this got on my nerves as he could've waited until Monday and sent it then ???)
Around 7 PM he messaged and said he's in a meeting with the said client & the client is excited that I'm back and he (client) wants to set a meeting on Monday with me. I told my ex-boss I'm okay with it as long as it's not at night, he said it's at 7 PM and twice a week.
I told him I can't do night meetings anymore and met with a “I tell all my employees to be available until 8 PM since all our clients are based in USA & the employees can make it up the next day by starting work late if we have night meetings”. I explained to him how it does not suit me & I can't make that sacrifice anymore due to other life priorities. He said he understands and we'll talk about it tomorrow and find a solution for it.
I feel like I got blinded/excited by the offer and made a huge mistake by accepting to come back as I started to see the red flags early on, even before I officially start.
It's true what they say, never go back to an ex…