AIBU to tell my boss I think I am undervalued because I work part time?

[theplumfairy]

I have a great part time job working in a company that I like with nice colleagues.

I have worked in this company since leaving uni (about 10 years) and managed to go back to work part time after DS was born mostly because of the support of my two bosses who have always been complimentary about my abilities.

Given the current economic climate, I have always felt very lucky to get a PT job doing something challenging and enjoyable. My company is in an industry that has been hit hard by the recession(s) and the threat of redundancy is always looming. As a part timer I feel particularly vulnerable.

I've recently started to feel like I am overlooked for career development opportunities. A younger colleague recently told me about plans our boss has for developing her experience and as nobody has mentioned anythinh like that to me, it has worried me that they think that I am a 'coaster' rather than someone who will eventually want to progress. Without sounding like too much of a bighead I feel that I am just as capable and committed as anyone else in my department.

I often get comments when I leave for the day and am not due in till 2 days later - along the vein of 'we'll see you next year then'. And I tend to get in and leave on time to get home for my DS. I try not to worry about this because I 'did my time' of working late etc before I had kids, but people have short memories!

I am also 9 weeks pregnant and need to tell them soon- think it is making me feel even more vulnerable.

Should I just put up and shut up and be grateful for a part time job that pays well or should I make my feelings known?

YANBU at all, in principle, I would say that because you are going to be going out on maternity leave soon now is not a good time to bring it up.

Oooer, tricky. I would put up because my experience in the workplace tells me it is a very sexist place and I guess you are part time because of family choices. Maybe indicate in your pregnancy reveal that you are still up for career development and hopefully you won't be overlooked. Good luck.

I think a dose of realism is needed here

So when collegues say that, cheerily shout back: "ha ha you are SO FUNNY!!!! , remember I am paid 40% less than you, ha ha. so enjoy all that money you have!

But you cant expect the same career opps as people who work FT, I dont think its fair or realistic

be VERY grateful you have a good and challenging PT role

It sucks a bit tho

To be honest I get the same. I work 14 hours a week over 2 days. When I leave my colleagues ask me if I am popping in next week.
I work hard and I am the top performer in my team. When it is announced each week, I am told that as I only work a few hours a week it's easier for me to achieve. But my targets are the same so it's not the case.

I do feel I am coasting a bit but my hours dictate that moving to a different role would be difficult.

I feel the same. I work 33 hours per week although only contracted to 30. I am classed as part time so I dont get the health care and pension the other guys get. This pisses me off no end and I am always making digs about it..........

However, they are very flexible with my DS and during school holiday time I come down to three full days a week. I can go to assemblies when I need etc etc so to me that is my perk.

Still annoying though and no YANBU!

Sympathise with you. I work 20 hrs a week and am overlooked for training all the time.I am watching people I helped train up when I was full time earn more and have better opportunities than me. I also watch agency staff be trained up to do jobs I am perfectly capable of doing who then leave and I am summoned to fill the gap again.We also have a bit of a sexism issue as well though with the two lowest paid workers being the only females. As a matter of interest why do other people think part time staff should be treated differently? Im doing the same job as before, just half the hours and remember, half the pay.

I think you have to think of it both ways, you can't expect a company that is, by your own admission, struggling, to look at a part time employee who doesn't put in the extra for promotion or 'career deveopment'.

It sucks that women are in this position, but you could have chosen to go backfill time after having your ds, but in choosing not to you have to realise that you made some career sacrifices. Im sure the benefits of being able to spend more time with your ds outweigh the sacrifice though.

It might not be unreasonable, but it is probably unwise to tell your boss you feel undervalued because it implies your boss is at fault and that rarely goes down well. However it would probably be sensible to have a frank discussion with your boss about your career aspirations. It is awful that mothers get hit so hard in the work place and I wish our culture were different. But given the culture we do live in you might start a conversation with your boss about the future that makes it clear you don't see your career as over. Tell your boss you've worked there a long time and think s/he should know how capable you are, and that while you appreciate the flexible working while your family is young you don't want to be coasting for the rest of your career. Then ask your boss what opportunities there are and what you can do off your own bat (be realistic about the time you have for this, but keep an ear out for things you might be able to do on maternity leave) to make you a promotion prospect.

Being proactive is generally a key attribute for succeeding at work (though by no means a guarantee).

Congratulations on the pregnancy!

Regarding the "see you next year" comments, I've always found that offering to show people my payslip shuts them up

I agree, don't say you're undervalued. Do say that you would actively seek career development and more responsibility - though obviously that's tricky in the context of your forthcoming mat leave. You could give a clear message when you tell your boss you're pg that you will be back, you will be just as committed and professional. But it's unreasonable to expect them to build you into the heart of the management structure when you're just about to be off for a year.

Hmm, I'm not sure I agree that I shouldn't expect career development because I am PT. On one hand, I know they won't be able to promote me at the moment to a job that requires full time commitment right now, but on the other hand I would like to progress in my career in the future when my children are a bit older. Do I have to wait till I'm FT to get any sort of development opportunity?

I put 100% into the job during the hours I am contracted (which to be brutally honest is not true of all my FT colleagues). And although I try to leave on time I regularly pick up work on my days off so I don't think I could be accused of not being committed to the job or the company. I have been with them 10 years and have certainly put the hours in enough over that time to prove my commitment.

I work as hard for my money as my full time colleagues but for less hours AND less money. On a pro rata basis we do the same amount of work! Why should I accept being effectively a second class citizen at work?

I know I am in a fortunate position and in reality I should probably just be grateful for what I've got, but I just don't think its right.

Suchprospects- I think you're right. I have an appraisal coming up so will take your advice and use that approach then.

TBH I don't think I have much chance of changing anything. I just hate the idea of not fighting my corner!

I definitely think it's reasonable to expect career development if you're PT, unless there are specific operational reasons against it. While you're about to go on mat leave is more tricky - by definition the more senior you are the more difficult it is to get maternity cover.

The problem with being somewhere a long time is sometimes you become almost part of the furniture - it is assumed that either you don't want to progress or are to indispensable in your current position. The way to tackle this is definitely through appraisals etc. Perhaps look for other routes to get you where you want to be that fit in /around your role e.g distance learning.

Not giving you an opportunity to progress simply because you are part time is not fair at all- what chances do women in the workplace have if people hold that opinion - crazy!