To think 9-5 does not work

Mine is fine but I have a very flexible employer.

I had a non flexible employer when I first returned from a career break and I could not believe the arrangements they had there - so it CAN work if there is trust between the employer and employee and a willingness to be flexible on both sides. My current manager knows I’ll do the hours and go above and beyond because they are the same with me. But I wouldn’t do one moment over 5pm for my previous employer who demanded I be there 15 mins before my start time, or who paid very little attention to employment law and tried to squeeze every last drop of blood from us. It’s give and take and the employers who aren’t flexible will find they can’t retain staff.

I did 8.30 am to school pick up (a ten minute cycle ride away) when the kids were at primary school and went up to full-time once they were in secondary. I also took the part-time pay. DH always did the school drop off so I could start at 8.30 am.

Try 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. And I'm a childminder so no lunch breaks and if I take time off it's unpaid. Plus it's very hard to take time off last minute as it affects so many people for their jobs.
It's shit & hard work but such is life I'm afraid.

Oh grow up. Yes leave for emergency illness is inevitable but general life admin is perfectly manageable around evenings weekends and days off

We don't have kids at home anymore and it's still really difficult 9-5. Only really works as my work is really flexible about wfh etc...

so before you became a parent you just ignored everyone struggling with the 9-5 set up, but now it affects you it's an issue?

Welcome to adulthood. Sorry, it sucks.

Have you all got many complex health issues that mean you are constantly at the doctors? Assume you are a single parent as you haven't got anyone else to split appointments with. Your work have to allow you time off for hospital appointments.

We have had 3 different things to go to the doctors for lately: a broken limb (seen twice then discharged) , a mental health diagnosis process (seen twice with a third appointment in a few months time) and a hospital issue thats seen irregularly (went last year and have been asked again this year). All stretched over a long period but with a few things coming together in May/June with the fracrure clinic. Dh and I have flexed time off work to deal with. If flexing weren't possible we would use time off for dependants. Everyone gets 10 statutory days a year. Look up your work policy on it. It is probably unpaid.

The dentist is twice a year. All go at once and book evening appointment well ahead of time.

No one goes to the GP any more as can't get seen. It's usually telephone appointments!

I'm with you. Mine is hugely flexible, I couldn't go back to rigid 9-5 now as I've been able to manage appointments etc around how flexible my employer is. I think rigid 9-5 is shit.

I work 4 days a week. Is that a possibility for you OP? IME it's easier to get a full time job and ask to go part time than get a part time job in the first place.

I have a very flexible job. Technically its 9-5 but with lots of flexibility. Rigid 9-5 is awful for most people and not necessary in most professions.

I have a 10 yo and have always worked 4 days per week. Originally 28 hours but have worked up to 35 (compressed 5 into 4). I need Fridays to mentally decompress and have some slack for appts. I'd go barmy otherwise. Is that an option for you?

@iamtheblcksheep do your kids always get sick when you've got annual leave? most people have to book leave in advance (mine is at least 4 weeks notice) and family leave is almost always unpaid. Not everyone can be perfect.

Why is it all on you? What is your other half doing?

Plus working from home gives a lot more flex to help with all this.

Assuming you aren't a single parent, is there any reason your other half can't do half of these appointments?

That’s what paid annual leave is for.

For appointments you would probably need to book a/l or make up the time. Emergencies are different, obviously, but your employer should have a policy to cover this.
If you don't need the money you could reduce your hours?

5 days a week is definitely hard. Is there any option for compressed hours? Most people in my workplace do 8-6 4 days a week which gives a lot more flexibility for appointments etc

It can be tricky. I often use my lunch break and take annual leave in school holidays and try to get appointments in school holidays for kids.

I think its extremely difficult to do it 5 days a week, with a commute, with children under 8/year 3.

Everyone is too tired and there's zero slack.