Better off working part time?

[prettyinblues]

I'm back to work soon, I'm currently not due to having my son. I resigned from my old job due to it being too far.

If I work 16/18/22 hours a week, it seems I am just as better off as someone working more hours. How can this be right?

It seems to make no financial difference if I work part time (16+ hours), or full time. So why would I put in the effort for full time when I can be on the same money whilst working PT? And spend more time with my baby boy?

Should add that this is because tax credits top you up.

So, for example, I will bring home the same amount a month if I work 16 hours or 38 hours

Go part time while he's young. Why would you work 38 hours, hardly see him, presumably pay for child care when you could make the same by working less and spending more time with him. No brainer to me.

I expect you will get a lot of different replies though.

Fun I agree. I suspected people will advise me to go full time because of career prospects, but like stay the same, part time or not. It's that type of job

Make some extra pension provision if you can.