Help me work out what's best to do.

[tammybear]

Hi, I'm on a temporary contract at the moment. My job hours fit in nicely around DD's school hours, so it's all good (besides the actual job lol). Problem is my contract runs on 23rd June, so I'm job hunting. I've had a couple of interviews but so far no luck, and I'm finding it hard to find jobs that I could probably do.

I had a phone interview today for a job that sounded something right up my alley. It's 17 hours a week, which is fine, until I was told that the hours are actually 1-5pm. The only snag I have with this is that DD's ballet class is on Monday's 4pm, and swimming on Thursdays 4pm. Swimming I may be able to change for the weekend, but ballet certainly not as that's the only class they do near me. I have no one I could rely on to be able to pick DD up from school for me and take her to ballet til I was finished work.

However, today I've been sent an email from a company who employ self-employers to do audio typing and things like that for them. I took a test for them, and they said it was good and that they would like to bring me on board. The only problem is that I'm worried about being self employed. From what I gather (and please correct me if I'm wrong, and please feel free to laugh at me if I seem really stupid! Lol) is that at the end of the tax year, I would have to pay my own taxes and NI contributions. I'm worried that I won't be able to save for that, cause I know what I'm like with money.

I've just moved into a flat about 3 months ago, and only recently found out about my contract. I'm trying to sort out my money problems without making any more because I don't have a job or something.

Hope this made sense, but could anyone give me any advice? My head's hurting quite a lot with all this stuff worrying away. x

[IllegallyBrunette]

I have no idea about the tax thing, so can't help there but, was just going to ask if the self emplyed job would be working from home ??

If so you might want to also consider wether you'd miss working with other people etc.

[KatyMac]

You can pay the NI weekly & just put the tax in an account and don't spend it

If you put away about 20% of what you earn, in April next year you would have plenty to pay the tax plus a bit extra for a treat

Remember you would only get statutory payments for sick maternity etc

[Eelpie]

Self employed may be a headache tbh.

Have you considered asking if you could start early on a Monday and finish early? Explain it as a Childcare issue and see what happens.

If I really wanted to employ you and it was one day I week I would try to accommodate you.

[WingsofaAngel]

The Inland revenue have free information it maybe worth speaking with them.
I think you can pay monthly by Direct Debit.

If you are working from home you also need to think about school holidays.

[RibenaBerry]

Is there a reason why the hours are 1-5pm? If there's a business reason then there may not be much flexibility. On the other hand, it may just be what the last person in the job wanted...

Unless you already have a clear answer, I would be inclined to gently probe whether the hours are set in stone. I would express it as being very interested and wanting to know how the hours work.

BTW- how does 1-5pm come up with 17 hours. 1-5 four days a week would be 16, and five days a week would be 20?

[tammybear]

Thanks for your advice guys. Sorry I haven't replied sooner, hectic weekend.

RibenaBerry - no idea how that's suppose to work out to 17 hours lol.

The woman I spoke to said the 1-5pm hours is mainly because of the post as that's one of the main duties, sorting all that out, but their's don't come until the afternoon which is why it's an evening thing.

The SE job is working from home. But like you say Nutty, I may miss working with people, as I currently work in an office of like 30 people.

But I spoke to my boss today, and he said my job is definitely coming to a close on 27th June. Nightmare.

[tammybear]

Just reread that. It's not an evening thing at all (honestly I'd lose my head if it weren't screwed on!! ).