Why do people think that if you're part-time you're not serious about your career?

[cufflink]

I've just had a bad experience on this front, with colleagues who obviously thinks I'm a loser for wanting to work part-time. It makes me want to cry with frustration, they seem to think that working part-time is akin to treating your job like a nice hobby or something. But the trouble is, I suppose I have a sneaking suspicion that in a way they may be right. What do you think?

[SadieSunshine]

It's not that you're not serious about your career, it's just that they will never take your career plans seriously while you're part time.

I also think it depends on the way your part time hours are made up.

[notsoclever]

Well are YOU serious about your career? If you are then it doesn't matter much whether you are part time. If you are not, well it doesn't matter too much anyway.

I hope you don't think you are a loser - whatever decision you have made (full time, part-time, not employed, sahm, wohm, work at home mum). If you believe you are not a loser, then who cares what they think.

[Reallytired]

I think there are times in your life when you are more serious about your career than others. At the moment I am not particularly serious about my career. I have othe priorities at the moment.

In ten years time, I will be far more serious as my family will be older.

Is it really such a bad thing?

[giveusabreak]

Isn't most part time work done by women and therefore immediately regarded as less committed (presumably because we can't wait to get home to the housework )? The joke of it is that part timers often put more into their hours, no Friday afternoons sneaking off to the pub or presenteeism. I can think of plenty of FT colleagues who swing the lead a bit. I think it is crap that PT is seen as less worthwhile. Oh and pro rata it usually pays less

[ABetaDad]

cufflink - I am sorry to hear your bad experience. I afraid it is all too common to find women being looked down on by their colleagues when they go part time. I have a couple of female friends who have found this attitude. They are very commited to their careers and really excellent at their jobs but it seems to count for little.

As others have said, my friends also work a very 'full' part time as well so the firms they work for get a lot for their money. A lot more then they get out of the FT employees thats for sure.

Not sure what the solution is but I would just caution that you need to make sure this despicable attitude that is being expressed to you is not also being subtly expressed in your pay and bonus as well. I know of women who find that going part time also eventually translates into a lower hourly rate as well.

Not fair. Annoys me intensely.

[fruitstick]

I went back to work part time and, in the main, was treated quite well. I got a huge amount done in the 3 days I was there and was taken seriously.

However, I have to accept that I'm not going to get a massive pay rise or a high flying new position because actually I don't want one. I choose part time because it suits my life at the moment, far more than extra money or kudos would (well the money would be nice .

You're not a loser, anymore that you are a loser for having children or going on maternity leave.... or having anything outside the office.

I have to say the most antagonism has always come from more junior 20 something women who see me in my management role and resent the fact that I'm not there as much as them and who want my job.

Sisterhood is long gone it would seem, but they'll learn [blue]

[cufflink]

Thanks for all your supportive responses! I don't really feel like a loser I suppose, in fact I get really annoyed at myself for letting it bother me. But it does. Re: extra money and kudos, I totally agree, I'm not after that at this point in my life/career, but in my workplace, if you're not seen to be actively ambitious, you are effectively seen as ... a bit of a loser! Grrrrr.

[Tummytuckrequired]

I work for a very high powered/pressured company and before I had the children I would definitely class that I had a "career" in the sense of the job came first and i was actively pursuing promotion etc. I easily worked a 14-16 hour daY (Mon - Sun)

When I decided to have children I realised pretty early on that you could not have both one had to give. You either have a career and carry on as before and only see your children at weekends ( a lot of my female colleagues did this) or you take the second option and that your switch from having a career to having a job whether you work full time or part time. In otherwords you did a good day's work but at a certain point there is a clear line between work and family life and that family life take 1st option.

In both cases I went back to work when my children turned 8 months . Initially I went back 3 days a week and have now upped it to 4 days a week (credit crunch). When I returned both times I made it clear - 1> I was only available within a standard working day (i.e at 8.00 am - 5.30pm had to leave for children)2> I am not available on my day off know matter how urgent and 3> I need a month's notice for travel and it can be no more than 2 nights etc..

Do the way I work now mean I am less productive or valuable then my full time colleagues probably not. However I recognise I am not giving the company or my colleagues the same level of time/support or personal sacrifices that they continue to do in their quest for the holy grail of being a "Partner".

However I would argue do not be under any illusion that you are equal to your full time colleagues with regards to promotion etc. because however you dress it you are only doing "half the job".

I reconciled myself to this a long time ago and now very comfortable with it. You know what you are capable of and what value you bring in. I would just ignore the comments I am sure the the people you report to understand your value.

When I get snide comments about my "day off" I simply state "oh you mean the day I don't get paid"

[cufflink]

That's interesting Tummytuck. I suppose the issue in my line of work is that it's highly 'vocational', so it's almost as if doing a job rather than building a career is counter to its very nature. I would guess that's not that uncommon in many sectors though. I'm also at the very early stages of my career (despite being in my 30's), so have not got to a point when I can 'coast' somewhat (although I know that's not quite the right word but I can't think of the right one now)!

[Tummytuckrequired]

Hello! Sorry for not getting back to you yesterday. I understand what you are saying especially as you are starting out and want to prove yourself and feel a bit restricted to carve out your place if you are only there part time.

However my only piece of advice (what ever that is worth ) is that it is all down to being self assured. Whether you are starting a new job/new company/new promotion you must be self assured. So w*kers like your colleague can't feel they have got one up on you.

There have been many times where i have gone to the toilets at work for a quick cry and then got back to my desk and carried on as usual because I refuse to let my colleagues feel they can intimidate or undermine me. (I have often worked in all male teams and used to get the such comments as "you just need a good shafting" or "is it your time of month" or "do you have mummy brain". However I slapped them down where appropriate and just got on and have worked hard has stopped all that.

You are doing a vocational job that says a lot. Be self assured about your abilities do not be afraid to ask for help or explanation if there is something you do not know and enjoy it.

There will always be people in work or life who will want to make you feel rubbish about yourself. Do not let them intimidate you ...you are doing a job that you obviously enjoy and is obviously of high value. Ignore their comments they are idiots. If he makes a comment about you being part time say something like "yes aren't I lucky not like you losers who have to work full time I get to watch This Morning and eat donoughts on my days off".