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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think I should be able to go part time even though I don't have children

111 replies

suziepra · 02/08/2014 07:43

Hi,

I worked really hard when I was younger, paid off most of my mortgage so my outgoings are small now.

I requested to go part time but they just fobbed be off with its not suitable with my job, even though other people doing similar jobs with kids got this approved.

I feel peeved as its generally the rule that children is the only valid reason to go part time, I just want to enjoy my life more.

When I signed on the job centre threatened to stop the JSA because I was only applying for part time and as someone without children im expected to only look for full time work!

OP posts:
Fairylea · 02/08/2014 08:23

Also a job is a job. You can't be picky about it. I used to work as a senior marketing manager in London. I was made redundant and the only job I could find was a 16 hour a week minimum wage job in a hotel. Sometimes you just have to take what's available.

Original poster
suziepra · 02/08/2014 08:30

if you want to apply for part time jobs you can just don't tell the job centre.

That is what I did. Just because I don't have kids it doesn't mean I don't have commitments.

And I disagree that you should take any old job as the jobs I was applying for take a lot of time to prep for and I wouldn't of had the time if I was working in KFC.

OP posts:
headoverheels · 02/08/2014 08:30

Did your part time colleagues with kids get approved recently or ages ago? My impression of the jobs market is that it's more difficult to get a part time job now than it was a few years ago, whether or not you have kids. You may be wrong in thinking this is the reason your request is being refused.

YANBU in thinking you shouldn't be treated differently though.

Pipbin · 02/08/2014 08:31

I have to say the 'why should I have to do a blue collar job' a bit off really.
If you are out of work and there is a job that will pay enough money to be worth your while then take it. Having the attitude that you are too good for it sucks.

Chunderella · 02/08/2014 08:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsCumbersnatch · 02/08/2014 08:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wheresthelight · 02/08/2014 08:37

I don't think yabu to want to go part time but your employer do not HAVE to agree it. They do have to consider it and if they decline they have to give you a valid business reason which they have according to your op. Your job role requires a full time person ergo that is a business reason. And it is jot bring fobbed off just because you don't have dc. I have resigned my job following maternity leave as my requests for part time working were declined by my company for the same reason as yours have.

You are not being discriminated against they have simply said your job needs to be covered by a full time person. Your options are fairly simple imo, find someone to job share with or find a new job

KoalaDownUnder · 02/08/2014 08:37

I'm sort of appalled at your attitude, OP.

I have 2 degrees, a professional work background and no kids; I would (and have) done very low-level admin & blue-collar jobs to tide me over.

Of course I have 'other commitments' despite not having kids, but I don't expect the taxpayer to fund my choices if I'm knocking back available jobs.

Jinty64 · 02/08/2014 08:38

Now you have a job surely you will be better placed to look for something else with hours that suit you better.

I have 3dc's (2 with s/n's) and I was refused part time hours despite someone else in the department being prepared to job share and despite me being prepared to split the hours any way they wanted or do a day from home. It would have given management much more flexibility but it just didn't suit them.

I'm not working there now. Their loss!

Original poster
suziepra · 02/08/2014 08:40

I'm not saying blue collar is beneif me, its not suitable and would be taking away a job from someone its more suited to. Even the job centre understand you should only be applying for jobs in your skill set! I was supporting myself with my savings not the 68 quid a week minus tax!

OP posts:
Original poster
suziepra · 02/08/2014 08:44

Yes I am in a better place to look for a part time job, but most professional jobs want full time. I'm reasonably happy with the job, just want to do less hours and find it a bit annoying I'm going to have to go through the whole process to get another job.

There is someone returning from mat leave in two months, she hasn't decided yet on her hours. I joined the company and she was already preg. Legally would I be first in line as I asked first even though she was preg and it was on the cards that she might go part time?

OP posts:
Pugaboo · 02/08/2014 08:48

Why were you claiming it then, if you were living off your savings?

I would stay in the job you are now and look for others who will take you on part-time.

Pugaboo · 02/08/2014 08:49

Legally it doesn't work just like that, are your jobs identical?

Original poster
suziepra · 02/08/2014 08:51

I was claiming it as being a higher rate tax payer for many years and not taking much out of the system I thought I should claim all I'm entitled to. I followed the rules and was written a job search agreement to only look for jobs in my skill set.

OP posts:
Original poster
suziepra · 02/08/2014 08:52

How does it work legally? The jobs are 50% the same, she has far less experience and can do far less, so I guess it doesn't help me

OP posts:
DownByTheRiverside · 02/08/2014 08:54

'Even the job centre understand you should only be applying for jobs in your skill set! '

I've never found that to be the case. Hmm
DD signed on as a graduate and was told to consider anything and everything, within a 2 hour travel time. Despite having health issues and being a non-driver. Her graduate friends were told the same thing.

Fairylea · 02/08/2014 08:58

You do realise that most students work many hours sometimes full time, at places like KFC, whilst studying for very complex and demanding degrees? Of course you could have taken any old job and found time to prepare for an interview for a more demanding one.

RubySparks · 02/08/2014 08:59

Yanbu - I took voluntary redundancy from my previous job which was really full time (compressed hours) as I couldn't fit food shopping, cleaning, gardening, care of 3 elderly parents, teenage children and care of disabled husband into the remaining time! I now work less days, less hours with shorter commute (and a lot less money).

There are multiple reasons someone may wish to work part time but you may find you need to apply for jobs specifically advertised as part time, which isn't fair if those returning from maternity leave are accepted back part time.

Maybe worth asking again when other person is returning to work and give some reasons for the request?

Original poster
suziepra · 02/08/2014 09:00

Yes because I did any old job when I was a student.

When I had savings and was unemployed I didn't need to and seeing as we have 2 million people chasing 0.5 million jobs its probably for the best that I don't take some students job

OP posts:
Original poster
suziepra · 02/08/2014 09:01

Thanks ruby, but now I've requested once I think I have to was it another year before I'm allowed to request again :(

OP posts:
IneedAwittierNickname · 02/08/2014 09:02

I was told the same downbytheriver despite being a single parent and a non driver!
I also needed a job that gained me experience for what I want to do at uni, although I get the whole 'beggars can't be choosers' wrt jsa.

Luckily for me I could survive on my tax credits/child benefit which I did until I found myself a job that is actually suitable.

Pipbin · 02/08/2014 09:03

I'm not saying blue collar is beneif me, its not suitable

Explain what 'not suitable' means then?
A job is a job. Like others on here I've got a degree but I've cleaned loos for a living before now, and if I lost my job and that was what I needed to do to make ends meet if do it again.

Finola1step · 02/08/2014 09:03

Any chance you could do a job share with the woman returning from maternity leave? (if she does indeed want to return part time)

Purplepoodle · 02/08/2014 09:04

I have children and was turned down for pt work as it didn't suit business needs. My friend was turned down (just had 3rd child with sn) for pt as her work colleague had applied for pt - she has no kids but just wanted to work less. Now my friend has to give up work as can't balance a ft role as she can't get ft care for her sn baby. Life's just not fair at times.

RubySparks · 02/08/2014 09:08

And just to add having explained situation to job centre they were fine with me looking for part time work and this was written in to job seekers agreement. So it may vary between areas, I found the advisors really good and I was looking for skilled work.

It was full time applying for the jobs I was qualified for so would have been pointless applying for others. Additionally I spoke to an ex HR manager this week who said they definitely weeded out 'over qualified' CVs when recruiting so an even bigger waste of time if they wouldn't be considered anyway!