Full time to 0.4 teacher

[RoseLou]

I have a four month old and intend to take a full year off work. I'm a teacher and initially intended to go back three days, but the more I think about it the more I want to request just two days. Does anyone have experience of a dramatic reduction in hours and what the reaction of school was like. I understand they might not even accept my request. I just feel I have had a child and want to bring her up my way... Not for her to be brought up by her grandparents. ( Who are more than willing to look after her on the days me and my partner work). I've calculated how much I would earn and I think we would only just manage the mortgage and bills with mine and partners wage? I feel living this way would make me and little one happier than being able to indulge with a higher income.... Am I being foolish?

[Felinewonderful]

Not a teacher but I am a nurse and I went from full time to 0.4 as I want to be home with my dcs for as much time as possible. You are not being foolish at all! However I do find it difficult to keep up with things at work and I think this has affected my confidence as I always feel that I am catching up with things and not properly part of the team. Also be prepared for colleagues snide comments about your working hours etc. I was lucky that my old manager allowed me to drop my hours and feel that it was the right decision for me. Good luck!

[RoseLou]

Yeah I can imagine I will be out the loop, but how I feel at the moment, I couldn't care less! But I am only 4 months into a 12 month maternity... I need to raise the subject with my partner too, Im worried he sees it as 'time off' and that I just sit at home loving life.. which to be honest I do love my life being at home with her! Did you feel you struggled financially? I feel like two days for us is pushing it and we would have no savings but I don't mind...

[ILoveMyMonkey]

Do it. I was 0.4 for 4 years after my son was born and it's been fantastic, the workload was so easy. I did feel a bit out of the loop but TBH that was preferable to working more hours. Now he's started school I've increased to 0.6 but wish I'd stayed at 0.4 as I'm finding the extra day has had a big impact on work life balance.

[Felinewonderful]

We haven't struggled financially as such, but our savings haven't increased that much which does worry me but I would still prefer to keep my 0.4 contract. I temporarily did 3 days per week and it made a big difference in terms of work/life balance for me personally, I much prefer 2 days. However I do feel trapped in my current job as I am looking for other nursing jobs but can't find any less than 30 hours and they are not interested in me applying and requesting job share etc. I would definitely do it if you can!

[RoseLou]

Ah thank you,i just needed someone to say it's a good idea before I go public with my thoughts! Sounds like it's worked out for you... So I'm sold on the idea now!

[RoseLou]

What's your job if you don't mind me asking ilovemymonkey? I'm glad you're with me too on this, now to test the water with my partner....!

[Jennie1978]

I'm a teacher and went from full time to 0.5 after my first maternity leave. I feel like I have a good work/ life balance. Remember you'll pay a lot less in tax and pension contribution so it's not as much of a wage drop as you think. I look at my full time colleagues and there is absolutely no way I could manage the workload with a young family. Congratulations on your little one, enjoy this precious time because they grow up so quickly x

[Beetlebum1981]

I teach and went down to 0.44 after DD was born. Financially I’m on just less than half what I was on before and whilst we’re not skint we have had to tighten the purse strings. However DH works long hours and I’d really struggle with looking after DD on top of all the school work, parents eves, curriculum eves etc. The other side is that I’d probably be earning about the same as I do now if I went full time due to childcare costs so it wouldn’t benefit us financially. Like PP has said, I do feel out of the loop but I get the best of both worlds this way.

[ILoveMyMonkey]

RoseLou

What's your job if you don't mind me asking ilovemymonkey?

Sorry I should have said, I'm a primary teacher (year 3).

[RoseLou]

Yeah you're right about less taxes, because I'm only on main pay scale 3 I think it means I won't pay tax at all as I won't be over the threshold. Thank you Jennie1978, that's what I'm worried about, I would hate to miss her first this or first that! Think it's worth tightening the purse strings for, just hope other half agrees!

[BackforGood]

Thinking about it logically (especially Primary) for every teacher who wants to work 0.6, they ideally would like to find someone who wants to work 0.4 - so you ought to be in demand
Is there anyone else on your staff who might be looking to drop some days? Puts you in an even stronger position if you deliver a 'solution' at the same time as raising what might be seen as an issue'.

If you are Primary, the teacher that works more days will often be perceived as being 'the teacher' for the class and some of us people would find it hard to 'not be in charge'. Others OTOH - eg my jobshare partner when I first went PT -are delighted to hand over that responsibility more to the other person.

[RoseLou]

Yeah definitely, we have three 0.6 teachers at the moment and the head has the classes all mixed with hlta's thrown in there, the poor children! But you're right I would be a solution, and can't wait to not be the main teacher! So my next question is shall I just go down to 0.2 days ! Haha

[Felinewonderful]

0.2 days is my dream

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

I did 3.5 days (0.71) for years and years and liked the balance. 3.5 days working, 3.5 days off. And yes, it still left me 'in charge' of the class as their main teacher, which suited me very well.