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Original poster

Colleague comments about my hours

65 replies

user987897 · 23/05/2025 22:48

My colleague keeps constantly telling me how cushy my hours are because I only work 18 hours a week. I work 3 days 6 hours per shift and everyone else works full time. I don’t work till the end of day like everyone else.
I now feel paranoid that all the other staff are talking about my hours and thinking I have it cushy.
I have told her a few times now that the reason that I work part time was due to getting ill so I can’t work full time but that doesn’t seem enough for her.

OP posts:
EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 24/05/2025 08:12

MuggleMe · 23/05/2025 22:49

Just say part time hours part time pay. If course she's jealous of what she sees but doesn't see the pay at the end of the month. I'm sorry you're struggling with your health. I'm sure you'd love a full time pay cheque.

Well exactly. I have very ‘cushy’ hours but I have a pay cheque that reflects that - ie not much in there 🤦🏻‍♀️

HoskinsChoice · 24/05/2025 08:09

There's two ways of looking at this. Your hours are very cushy! I'd love to be in a financial position to work those hours. Just say, 'yes it's brilliant, why don't you ask to do the same?'.

However, if you can't work more due to ill-health but you'd love to be full time then just put her in her place and tell her that. Make her squirm over it, she'll soon shut up!

Goalie55 · 23/05/2025 23:26

It’s jealousy even if they don’t need to work FT because they want to give up the money.
Although there are people who think you get FT wages on PT hours.

Tigggge · 23/05/2025 23:23

I work part time and I get the same. I do 3, 5 hour days and 1, 6 and a half hour day. I get ''ooh, look at you slacking off'' etc

SheridansPortSalut · 23/05/2025 23:20

Ignore her.

Maybe she's jealous or maybe she's just really bad at making conversation. Whatever the reason, its her problem, not yours.

wfhwfh · 23/05/2025 23:16

I think you need to change your mindset so you don’t feel you have to justify anything to her. People are allowed to work part-time. She could request this also.

Personally, I wouldn’t get defensive and saying anything about part-time pay, I’d just lean into it and say “Yes, it works so well for me”.

It’s maybe not meant maliciously in any way. Like if you were going on holiday to the Bahamas then a colleague might say “Alright for some - I wish I was going!” You wouldn’t feel the need to justify why you deserved to go or how you’d funded it - you’d just say “Yes, I can’t wait!”

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 23/05/2025 22:58

She’s an idiot. None of her business why you do those hours, either. Say, “You keep saying this. You do realise part-time workers don’t get full-time pay don’t you?”

ErrolTheDragon · 23/05/2025 22:58

You’re not unreasonable to be irritated by this colleague but the rest probably have better things to do than talk about your hours.

showmethegin · 23/05/2025 22:55

The sooner you give less of a shit about others the better. As someone else said, part time hours part time pay. They can go part time if they like. This has absolutely no effect on your life. Ignore

MainBain · 23/05/2025 22:53

Tell her she can request to get the same thing.

cornflourblue · 23/05/2025 22:51

"It's none of your business"

"Well you do realise my pay is part time equivalent too?"

"Do you have any issue with the quality of my work?"

"Oh do fuck off Deborah"

BettyStogs · 23/05/2025 22:51

Presumably you're only getting paid for the 18 hours? If they think you have it cushy they could also request to work part time hours and reduce their pay accordingly?

JabbaTheBeachHut · 23/05/2025 22:51

She's right though, your hours sound lovely.

I'm not sure why you're annoyed or worried that others will think so too?

Fromage · 23/05/2025 22:51

Your colleague is a weirdo.

Can you ask her why she keeps bringing it up?

MuggleMe · 23/05/2025 22:49

Just say part time hours part time pay. If course she's jealous of what she sees but doesn't see the pay at the end of the month. I'm sorry you're struggling with your health. I'm sure you'd love a full time pay cheque.