Re-evaluating full time work

[Hitchyhero]

Does anyone work here part time by choice? Having spent time with family during lockdown I've realised how much we money we really need and how much time I'm working for no postive outcome. I don't get to see family as much when I'm working, I actually spend more on things to get that quick fix of relaxing and making the work worth it, I'm stressed throughout the day.

The obvious thing would be to say 'find a full time job you like' but I just don't like working full time. My partner argues 'work hard now, relax later' but I don't want to reach an age where I can't do the things I want because I've waited too long.

I've done some quick calculations for fun, and in the next 5 years, I could easily get my mortgage below or around £300. We have no other debts. My little one is entitled to free childcare (he's adopted) but I'd also get to spend more quality time with him, and my partner.

[ohthegoats]

I'm a teacher. I worked 4 days a week for 5 years after my child was born. I loved it. I'm working full time now, but the plan was to reduce back to 4 days this coming academic year.

Due to the COVID thing, schools are in a bit of a state, so I didn't want to cause my head any further issues for this coming academic year. As soon as we're over the worst of the COVID disruption, I'm going to ask to go back to 4 days a week. Mondays off.

[LockdownLou]

Me. I’ve always worked part time, we don’t have that many luxuries though to be fair but I always valued the simple things in life anyway even before lockdown. Working full time is a drag!!!

[Hitchyhero]

I'd still want to wait a few years (would prefer my mortgage to be slightly lower before making that decision) but I really do loathe full time work.

I'd obviously cut back are large none essential things. The only thing that would be more difficult than usual is saving up for a holiday.

Not much else that I want or need these days.... Other than more quality time... Which is worth more then the money I get.

[Herbie0987]

My DP and I started working part time in late 30s, never regretted it. Quality of life meant more to us than things, we still had holidays - camping- and self catering. My DP is now retired on state pension, I work 2 days a week, our income is lower than 10 years ago but we have time and fun.

[ohthegoats]

Yes, should also add that my partner worked part time for those 5 years too. We both preferred it and can afford it. He's on a secondment at the moment, but when that's over in January, I think he's going to go back to part time again.

We decided that it should be a day for yourself - so, obviously do the school run, but then do your things. Not life admin or domestic stuff, but whatever fun things don't work with a family.

[Tartan333]

I've worked full time for 3 years of my working life. The rest has been a mixture of 2/3/4 days per week. I would only ever work full time if I ever need to for financial reasons otherwise I would rather have a cheaper house, car, holidays etc and have the luxury of time.

[ButterMeCrumpets]

I think the problem is they you and your DP don't agree.

I am of the work full time for less time then retire rather than part time for longer. My DH is the same so we are both working full time. We still enjoy the nicer things in life which full time money brings but have a joint goal of not working until the state retirement age.

I would resent working full time if my DH went part time and expected me to work longer for that privilege.

I really think it comes down to how you split finances. If working part time doesn't impact your DP or it's a joint decision then go ahead. If you expect the other person to fund the part time life then it's more complicated.

[Bubbletrouble43]

I was part time and I'm reducing my hours further. Luckily dp got a promotion which has made this feasible. But he will have more hours and responsility.Iockdown made me realise that though I love my job I am needed at home and that I actually enjoy gardening with the kids, walking the dog etc more. Don't know if I'll feel the same in the winter though!

[Splattherat]

I work part time and have done since having the DC. I am fortunate that my job is fairly well paid, I really enjoy it, the holidays are excellent (I work in HE), their is no chance of me increasing my hours and fortunately DH has a fairly well paid job, But to be honest I worked FT from age 16 until I was 35 and I couldn’t stand to work full time again.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

I used to but as my career picked up and I got more senior it became harder to find or negotiate part-time roles so I now work full-time.

And honestly, whilst I’ve enjoyed elements of lockdown, it’s also taught me how much I value the higher income of my job. I know some people can be happy with very little but I’m unashamedly material. I’ve really missed meals in nice restaurants, fancy cocktail bars, spontaneous weekends away, planning holidays, buying clothes and shoes etc: obviously I’ve gone without these due to lockdown but I’d be miserable if I were going without them because I couldn’t afford them and I don’t think more time would make up for that.

[Susanna85]

I work 3 days a week and for me it's a really good balance.
I love being around to pick my DC up from school.

If I worked full time we could get a nicer car or eventually have an extension built or whatever. But we are comfortable as we are and have enough for our lifestyle.

I plan to work full time again at some point but for now it's not what I need to do or want to do.

[Gazelda]

I worked FT until I had my DD at 39. I've been part time (25 hrs) since then. I've benefited by being able to do the school runs and time with DD in school hols. I am also able to work flexibly so can jiggle my hours to be able to go to sports day etc.
As me and DH became parents later in life, we'd already broken the back of the mortgage and have a fair amount of disposable income. We don't have fancy hols or expensive holidays.
We're both planning to be able to retire at usual state pension age and have saved so that we should be able to do so comfortably while also supporting DD who will be either be at uni or starting her adult life by that point.

[violetscone]

I would wait and see if they bring in this idea of the four day week that’s been floated.

[HeadSpin5]

I’ve worked both part and full time since DC was born about 8 years ago. Like a PP, I’ve found part time roles harder to get the more I’ve progressed. I’m currently full time but have negotiated a drop of 2 days a week as no school or childcare til Sep. I’m grateful for this, and it’s reminded me how much I prefer PT. I’d love to keep these hours but work has been clear I was recruited FT and this is temporary.

[YoungsterIwish]

Yes, I've worked part-time since having kids and don't know if I'd ever work full-time again.

It does limit you in the amount of roles available but some careers do offer part-time or job shares.

Tbh by the time we'd paid extra tax, extra childcare, extra expenses due to less time, we would not be all that much better off, something like £50 for an extra 20 hours work a week.

Dh works crazy hours by choice, maybe if he did more at home, I'd work more..or maybe not!

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

DH and I are both going down to four days a week from September and I am so, so excited about it. I really think it'll transform our lives.

For us, though, the financial hit is fairly small as we're going down to 85% of salary (he's going down to 80%, I'm working 4.5 days over 4 so my salary is only down by 10%) but reducing our childcare costs by half, as we'll go from one day grandparents and four days nursery to one day grandparents, two days nursery, one mum day and one dad day.

I did actually ask to work four days a week when I started this job a year ago and they said no, but they've said that now they know me and how I manage my work they're happy to accept my request for reduced and compressed hours.