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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think its strange someone single and child free wanting to work part time

161 replies

Oolva · 29/10/2015 18:04

Ive got someone on my team without any children and late 2o's. Wants to work part time. It will cause me a bit of effort as will need to get a new hire in to cover the other days and I'm a bit annoyed with all the investment ive made on custom equipment (several grand!) And training courses. I could refuse on buisness grounds but I probably won't.

Aibu to think its q bit odd? He's saying he will have to work forvever and can't afford a house but I think he's shot himself in the foot as if he worked harder could afford a pension and a house eventually.

OP posts:
Temporaryanonymity · 29/10/2015 18:05

Wouldn't life be boring if we all took the same path?

mysteryknickers · 29/10/2015 18:07

Maybe it is for health reasons? or he has a demanding hobby that he spends time on?
Has he not given a reason...is it nosey to ask?

monkeysox · 29/10/2015 18:07

He might be studying part time. We don't all live to work. Loads of reasons for pt.

redskybynight · 29/10/2015 18:07

Sounds like he wants to enjoy life more and not be so focussed on earning money. And nothing wrong with that in my book. Actually wish more single childless (and particularly men) would work part time as it would normalise it as a working choice.

WorraLiberty · 29/10/2015 18:08

Sounds fantastic to me! Grin

welliesandleaves · 29/10/2015 18:09

Looking after children isn't the only reason people want to work part time. Maybe he has strong interests he wants to pursue, or an artistic talent he'd like to try making money from, or charity work he wishes to do. I agree that late 20s is a bit young to just work part time for no good reason other than to have a bit more free time, but if he has other reasons then it could be a good decision.

My sister, in her 50s, is thinking of going part time after 30 odd years of trekking into a full time job every day. She is single with no children and my mother can't understand 'what she'll do with herself'. Bloody relax and enjoy a bit of free time for a change, that's what.

ketchupontoast · 29/10/2015 18:09

I am single, childfree and work part time. I do so because I can afford to. I feel that it is fair to offer the same circumstances that you would to a parent as a non-parent. Why is it odd to want to enjoy time away from work?

ClashCityRocker · 29/10/2015 18:10

I'd work part time if I could afford it.

Why not? There's more to life than work.

CrohnicallyAspie · 29/10/2015 18:10

I went pt befote having children- I have few chronic illnesses and wanted to take it easy while I waited for treatment to take effect. I did share the reasons with my colleagues, but I wouldn't have been unreasonable to not share my medical history with them! So your colleague may have very good reasons that they don't want to disclose.

AmarettoSour · 29/10/2015 18:10

YABU. I don't understand why you find it strange tbh, why would you work full time if you didn't need to financially? Work life balance springs to mind.

BackInTheRealWorld · 29/10/2015 18:11

I think it's strange to think it's strange tbh.
Wouldn't most people work fewer hours if they could get away with it?

NotMeNotYouNotAnyone · 29/10/2015 18:11

If you have business reasons to refuse then do so. Do you think he will leave altogether if you refuse, therefore incurring even more expense and inconvenience for you?

I know someone with no kids who is part time due to long term MH issues, and someone else who is so they can go to college one day a week.

I expect he has reasons, without knowing what those are I can't say if HIBU, presumably there will be a financial loss to him so I can't imagine he hasn't thought a lot about the decision.

AliceInUnderpants · 29/10/2015 18:12

He is wanting to change his contract to part time hours? If it doesn't fit, you have reason to let him go, surely?

He may have health problems, he may be a carer. There are multiple reasons that really aren't much to do with you.

MrsFionaCharming · 29/10/2015 18:13

I'm childless and in my 20s. I work part time, because I love my job, but that's all the hours available. Life would be easier if I got a different, full time role, but I really love what I do.

MrsMolesworth · 29/10/2015 18:15

He could be studying, pursuing writing, music or art, training for a major sport event, renovating a house, looking after a sick parent or friend or setting up his own business. Loads of reasons. But sympathy to you at having to find and train a new person.

TheDailyWail · 29/10/2015 18:17

But isn't he entitled to trial flexible working regardless of his circumstances or his gender?

Gruntfuttock · 29/10/2015 18:18

MY daughter is 24 and has only been able to get a part-time job. She just takes all the extra hours she possibly can. We live in a very deprived area of the SE. She wants to leave home and move to another area, and is very good at saving, but it's not easy at all. Luckily we all get on very well, (daughter, husband and me) and so we live together very happily, but of course she wants to be independent. I don't think people realise that it's not always a choice to only have a part-time job. It's that or nothing for some. Sad

Pipbin · 29/10/2015 18:18

She might -

  • have a hobby that requires time.
  • be ill.
  • have a family member that needs looking after.
  • be able afford to live on a part time wage.
  • wants to not spend all her life working.

I've got no children but if I had a job where I could work part time and I could afford to then I would in minutes.

WizardOfToss · 29/10/2015 18:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheDailyWail · 29/10/2015 18:20

m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1616

Could he help you to train someone?

TracyBarlow · 29/10/2015 18:20

I think he's got the right idea. I think we should all work less if we can afford to. There's to much focus on careers and getting ahead and I don't think it's always great for mental health. Besides, it doesn't matter what reason he has, you have to give him the same chance to go part-time as you would someone applying for family reasons.

megletthesecond · 29/10/2015 18:21

I used to work 4.5 days a week due to depression. Gave me half a day to see my shrink in my own time.

Queenbean · 29/10/2015 18:23

I would LOVE to work part time, that would be amazing. I'm in his bracket too

I know all of you with children would say that you didn't possibly know tiredness until you had children but it's all relative. I'd love extra hours in the week to spend doing more interesting things than having to turn up to work. And more hours with my duvet Grin

If he can afford it, good luck to him. We will all be working for years and years to come so take opportunities where you can get them

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 29/10/2015 18:24

Because legally he has the right to ask.

hiccupgirl · 29/10/2015 18:24

Sounds very sensible to me.

I worked full time before having my DS and now work part time round school hours. I have no intention of returning to working full time in the future unless I need to financially. I like having free time during the week and not being on that Mon to Fri treadmill.

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