Should I increase my hours?

[QsGal]

I’m in a huge dilemma about whether I should increase my hours and could do with some independent advice!

I currently work three days a week and work have always asked if I will be back full time when DS starts school. Well, he has now started and I keep being asked the question. They’ve agreed that I can do an extra day working from home and work between school drop off/pickup, making up the hours on the other days.

Initially I thought this was a great compromise but now I’m worried I won’t be able to get the work-life balance right.

I work in construction and I’m site based and currently commuting 70 miles each way and the hours are long, so making up hours will make for very long days. It’s also a stressful job so I’m worried that the additional hours will mean I’ll bring stress home.

However, if I don’t increase my hours I’ll never progress at work. It simply isn’t possible to move onto the next level on 3 days a week. It’s just about possible on 4 days a week.

It’s really stressing me out thinking about it. If I do increase them I doubt I’ll be able to go back.

I know it’s the age old dilemma for working mums. I just don’t know what to do for the best.

[CottonSock]

Do a take home pay calculator. Because of tax you might not think it's worth it when you see sums.

[QsGal]

Good thought. It might also push me into the bracket of needing to pay back my student loan which would then negate any increase in salary.

[mintbiscuit]

Will give your pension a boost though as your contributions (employer and employee) are a percentage of your salary, which will be higher. It’s not all about take home pay.

[Peeeas]

How about current 3 days, plus two half days from home to fit around school hours, to bring up to 4 days total (but worked over 5 days total, iyswim)? Would mean no extra childcare costs, and cut down on the commute.

[CottonSock]

I did some sums myself recently, dropping from 4 to 3 days a week is going to give me more money after childcare!

[QsGal]

Peeeas that is definitely worth considering. It would mean I won’t come into work with a backlog of emails and would still mean I could get to the gym (which sounds a bit pathetic but the last few months I’ve not had the motivation to go after commuting for so long, and I’ve really enjoyed that opportunity to go. That novelty will wear off I’m sure!)

[Peeeas]

Yup, and the email thing is a good sell to your employer too - i.e. there won't be such a gap in your responding. Just need to be careful that you stick to your hours and don't let work time spill over so you're working 5 but being paid for 4 (get that gym time scheduled in the diary so you have something that you need to log off for!)