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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think there are people out there who would work for 1 day per week for a half decent wage.

38 replies

moobaa · 09/08/2010 21:43

My employers are trying to argue that it is not worth their time or effort to advertise a position for 1 day a week to job share with me. (So I would have to work full time, so its not a case of them saving money by only paying me 4 days a week)

In the current market I am sure there are people out there who could give it a go - over to the mumsnet jury to talk me out of it!

OP posts:

Hassled · 09/08/2010 21:47

I think there are probably more people out there wanting two days, but yes, I'm sure you'd have applicants for a one day a week job.

I suppose it depends on the job, though - if it's quite highly skilled and you need a lot of experience then I'd imagine you'd be less likely to find someone wanting to be so part-time, if that makes sense.

violethill · 09/08/2010 21:49

IME it's really difficult to find someone prepared to work one day only. It's a hell of a commitment for just 4 days pay a month.

Most jobsharers want at least two days, and ideally a two and half day split for parity.

Minxie1977 · 09/08/2010 21:51

I have three friends who work one day per week. I want to work 2 days when I return from mat leave, but if I could afford to work one I would!!

DrivenToDistraction · 09/08/2010 21:51

I'm looking for a decent one day a week job, no chance of finding one.

I think you need to convince them to make it a 6 day a week job (obviously depends on the function, does work for a lot of jobs), 2 for the newbie and 4 for you.

Original poster

moobaa · 09/08/2010 21:53

Thats a toughie. I would not describe my job as being HIGHLY skilled. There are certain skill requirements but someone doing 1 day per week would not be required to take on the more complicated aspects of the role. There is an element of the job (which would be the primary source of work for the 1 dayer) which requires little skill at all.

However, pay wise, the 1 dayer would need to be at least on the same pay band as myself so would need to be capable of showing at least some of the minimum requirements of the job spec for the more complicated areas. (some very basic law knowledge)

OP posts:

compo · 09/08/2010 21:56

A lot of people need to work a minimum of sixteen hours for working tax credits

MrsWobbleTheWaitress · 09/08/2010 21:56

I'd work for one day a week for half decent pay - would be absolutely ideal for me!

miniwedge · 09/08/2010 21:59

Are they reluctant because of the cost to them though?
I have looked at jobshare for stff before and in one case it just wasn't financially viable for the company.
Two lots of NI, pension contributions, life ssurance etc, we had to refuse in the end.

Original poster

moobaa · 09/08/2010 22:02

well if I win my battle to get them to advertise I will give a few hints as to where some of you ladies may want to look. Although I feel it may be an uphill struggle and take some time.

OP posts:

Original poster

moobaa · 09/08/2010 22:04

miniwedge - I am afraid I dont really get why it would cost them more as the NI and pension contributions would only add up to what they take off me would it not?? Also over the year the job share policy means that bank holidays would have to be taken out of A/L allowances so the employer would be gaining 8 days for free!

OP posts:

UniS · 09/08/2010 22:08

I work one day a week ( mostly) but I'm self employed and that how I chose to do things. I have a few customers who are willing to buy my services for projects on that basis. I generally do a few months at a time for a customer on a single project.

LucyLouLou · 09/08/2010 22:15

moobaa - as long as the wage for a day's work is above that you would get on JSA, there's no real reason to turn down a day's work that I can think of!

miniwedge · 09/08/2010 22:16

No, when we worked it out it cost more to employ two people for our company than one.

Also, we were concerned about team dynamics s the role was very team orientated.

senua · 09/08/2010 22:18

It all depends on the job and the circumstances. I work in a skilled, well-paid job for one day a week. I can do that because I also work elsewhere for a few days a week, do projects etc.
If you are so convinced that it could work, why don't you find the job-sharer? (show initiative and all that)

I can see that one-day-a-week could have merits for a young mum keeping her technical etc skills up to date and keeping the CV ticking over.

moaningminniewhingesagain · 09/08/2010 22:19

My employer considers that 2 days a week is really the minimum in terms of it being worth recruiting/training/updating a member of staff.

Not set in stone, but certainly guidance.

MumNWLondon · 09/08/2010 22:23

I think that it would be really hard to find someone and train them appropriately for one day. What is the job? Would have thought 2 days/3 days more appropriate for job share.

There is an NI saving for the company though by employing 2 part-timers.

cece · 09/08/2010 22:23

I job share and only work on a Friday. My partner works the rest of the week.

However, I do other work on another day. I prefer it that way.

senua · 09/08/2010 22:29

"There is an element of the job (which would be the primary source of work for the 1 dayer) which requires little skill at all."

Why are you calling it a job-share? Why not describe it as (a) your skilled job for 4 days a week which includes supervising (b) the lesser-skilled, lower-paying (there's your cost-saving ) job for 1 day a week.
Would it be suitable for any of those unemployed graduates out there who are desperate for their first job? (right time of the year to pick them up)

Original poster

moobaa · 09/08/2010 22:29

senua - I would love to but the problem is I could go all out and find someone but the company still turn round and say no and I have got someones hopes up for nothing.

LucyLouLou- Yep it would def be more than JSA

Training would be pretty simple as I have trained aroound 10 people to do similar roles over the years (and have documented the training as a template for others)

miniwedge - little sign of teamwork going on here at the mo

OP posts:

HappyMummyOfOne · 09/08/2010 22:32

I can see their point of view, lots of people need a living wage so one day a week wouldnt work, they may have a high turnover as people leave for more hours, the cost of advertising is high for so few hours etc.

If you were asking for a true job share - 2/3 days then yes it would be justified but I can see why they believe it isnt for 1 day.

ladysybil · 09/08/2010 22:33

i think that if the job could be done within school hours, then you could find someone to do so easily.
you need to be looking at someone who would either be doing voluntary work, or no work at all. ie someone for whom the job would be a social thing, rather than a pay the bills thing

Original poster

moobaa · 09/08/2010 22:35

Senua - I am not sure they can do that? I thought they would have to employ someone on the same terms as myself. Otherwise the job would be perfectly suited to a student, let alone a graduate. But that is my opinion I suppose.

I just started the thread to see if I had my Rose tinted specs on thinking that there was a good chance that someone would be prepared to work on those terms.

OP posts:

senua · 09/08/2010 22:41

Surely you can split the one current role into two different job descriptions and therefore two different T&C.
You would need to work the same day as the assistant, so that you can properly supervise them, so that would leave one day when neither of you were in - would that be a problem?

hairytriangle · 09/08/2010 22:45

Highly unlikely OP.

Original poster

moobaa · 09/08/2010 22:47

I dont think that it would be a problem having 1 day when neither of us were there. But it is not primarily an office based role so direct supervision would not work.

OP posts:

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