My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Work

Agency or see it through?

6 replies

Jogrighton · 23/10/2014 10:30

Single mum to 2 dc (10 and 3) Live with mum but doing house up in same street, hopefully be in about 3 months time.

3 dc goes c/minders 10-3 when at work in week.
10 dc takes himself to and from school (just round corner)

3 dc goes to dads alt w/end sat 9am till sun 1730
10 dc goes to dads tue/wed one week and tues/sat next

My mum looks after kids outside these hours, but getting increasingly tired and shouldn't have to look after my kids. They are a handful.


Work 12.5 hr shifts (7-1930) should be 37.5hrs a week (about 3 shifts for 3 weeks then 4 shifts for one week).

However, this week I work 53.5hrs next week 34.5, so its random. Also, junior manager role so stay several hours over to complete paperwork etc.

Boss is totally unapproachable, thoughtless and downright scary. Last two junior managers have been reallocated areas as she couldn't tolerate them.

I just kiss ass to the extent its nauseating, work overtime, stay late etc etc

May be due for retirement soon, hits 60 this year I think.

Problem:

I need to stop my mum from looking after my kids, end of!!

Childminder is excellent I can drop 3dc off at 0630 but she stops working at 1800 also doesn't work b/hols, w/ends, xmas and has hols herself (tut tut)

I don't really want my child going for that long tho!!! Even when she starts school it will be cheaper but still a long day for her.


Also, despite my manager being a t@@@t I love my job and wouldn't mind having a crack at hers when the time comes. May be able to work 8-4pm mostly. But not sure I can wait.

I earn about £30000 a year and don't think I can drop this. I wouldn't be able to keep my house (children's inheritance) Also their fathers do not have 2 beans to rub together (I get zilch off one and £20 p/week from the other) I would like to be able to support my kids through schooling etc.

What to do????

Do I leave and work for agency, sounds nice in some ways I can work round all kids hols but will still would have to work loads to make my money and shift work normally starts at 0700 so would still mean lots of childcare. No stability, friends etc

Or do I stay and pay loads of childcare, I can book some hols off but not all of august and xmas we are not allowed hols at all


HELP and thank you

OP posts:
Report
Ellypoo · 24/10/2014 13:32

What sort of business/Industry is it? They are very long shifts - might you be able to have fixed hours at least so you can organise childcare more easily? Does your manager for 8am - 4pm?
Could you get a similar level permanent job elsewhere with better hours, rather than just temping which wouldn't give you the same income security?

Report
Ellypoo · 24/10/2014 13:33

Oh, and could your DC's Dads help a bit more with childcare while you are working?

Report
HannahBroxson · 25/10/2014 00:25

Pm'd you xx

Report
Jogrighton · 28/10/2014 22:37

Sorry for delay in reply, had a really tough week (70+hrs) Just recovering.

One ex (more like his missus) gave me grief when I wasn't there to receive dc (I was just upstairs putting a blind up and didn't hear!!) And is dropping him off at 0700 in the morning because its not his responsibility to organise childcare so if I am at work my mum still has to look after him.

The other is a farmer and works 7-7 most days.

Nursing is my trade!!

Hannah, cannot see any pm

OP posts:
Report
Hedgehogparty · 29/10/2014 09:18

I would not do agency as assuming you are NHS you will lose holiday/ pension benefits.

Agree in asking dads to help more- they are hardly contributing financially at all?

Report
unpackyoursuitcase · 29/10/2014 09:28

Wow, you are an inspiration. I would stick at the job as you clearly love it. Although they are really long shifts you get to spend 3 days with your dc one week and 4 the next. I work for an agency (teaching) and work is sporadic and have recently being accepting TA work in order to have some work coming in. I am married, my DH works 12hr shifts but on min wage. we have 1 dd.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.