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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:
CuteAsaF0x · 29/10/2015 18:24

I don't know, why not?! I wonder why I never tried to get part time work before my kids were born. I would have been so much happier.

Original poster
Oolva · 29/10/2015 18:26

Ok thanks all for your views. Its probabably just my mindset

OP posts:
LeaLeander · 29/10/2015 18:27

So weary of the notion that only the childed deserve accommodation for their lifestyle choices.

Perhaps he wants to get more rest, spend more time outdoors, or read more, or pursue creative endeavors, or just sit around watching trashy television. It's none of anyone else's business.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 29/10/2015 18:27

Plus my job share wouldn't have worked if it wasn't for the right timing of a young single women who has no children didn't cut her hours at the same time my department was rearranging rotas

welliesandleaves · 29/10/2015 18:27

It's better than the other extreme many people go to nowadays - competing to be last to leave the office, constantly checking emails at the weekend, boasting about the long hours they work and sneering at anyone who works 9-5. A lot of companies are now mired in that culture and I think it's unhealthy and depressing.

SaucyJack · 29/10/2015 18:27

Maybe he wants more drinking or dating time? Not weird at all if you can afford it.

No one lies on their deathbed wishing they'd spent more time over the photocopier at work.

ImperialBlether · 29/10/2015 18:28

I'd think he was lazy, if that's any help, OP!

Grin
AnyFucker · 29/10/2015 18:28

I work PT even though my children are teens.

I have been offered FT. I don't want it and I don't need it. Best of both worlds if you can manage it.

SeasonalVag · 29/10/2015 18:30

Why not? Good for him....i have friend who refuses to work at all.... She's on her third degree and survives by shrewd investments and living extremely frugally - not fir me, but I respect her views.

ImperialBlether · 29/10/2015 18:30

There's still a lot to be done at home, though, when your children are in their teens, AF.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 29/10/2015 18:32

I work p/t around school hours and can't ever imagine going back to full time, finances permitting.

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 29/10/2015 18:32

An old work colleague of mine went down to 4 days a week about 10 years ago. She has a long term partner but no kids and just prefers the balance between work and life that that working pattern gives her.

Wish I'd thought of it before I had kids!

DrewsWife · 29/10/2015 18:32

My last job drove me to distraction. It was soul destroying to do full time. Even part time nearly tipped me over the edge.

Is the job high pressure but monotonous?

JeepersMcoy · 29/10/2015 18:33

If I didn't have a child I would be able to afford to work part time and would jump at the chance. Maybe time is worth more to him than money.

Obs2015 · 29/10/2015 18:34

Sounds good to me.

JimmyGreavesMoustache · 29/10/2015 18:34

why strange?

I had a colleague a while back. She and her partner were both mid-forties, both child-free by choice, and both worked a four-day week. They devoted their (different) days off to particular hobbies (a sport for one, art and music for the other) which left their weekends free for socialising and for spending time together. She said she fell into working part-time by accident, and would never go back.

Having been part-time for the last 6 years I agree. TBH I think it's even more relevant now that lots of us will be working into our seventies, as IMO it's a good way to preserve one's mental and physical health.

AnyFucker · 29/10/2015 18:36

I know, IB

Mainly around constantly chivvying them to study/ tidy up/ do chores/get out of bed etc plus the constant lifts everywhere

But I could work FT quite easily

My day off in the week is actually for me

29redshoes · 29/10/2015 18:41

I'm 29 and would absolutely love to work part time, but sadly it wouldn't work financially. I've always been more of a 'work to live' type person.

Cheesypop · 29/10/2015 18:47

Almost everyone at my work who is part time is in their mid-50s or older, they started working PT with small kids but they have all flown the nest now. These people just work PT because they want to, no reason why a younger person wouldn't want to do the same!

megletthesecond · 29/10/2015 18:52

yy jimmy . Probably better to pace working towards 70 (and beyond) than burn out. I suppose for city high fliers who can make stupid money then a decade or two of excessive hours will pay off. For most people it won't lead to huge earnings or promotions. May as well stay healthy and sane for longer imo. Saves the nhs cash too.

kali110 · 29/10/2015 18:55

I have chronic health problems. If im able to go back to work it will be part time.
Im far from lazy.
Before i got too sick i was part time as i was also doing a fulltime college course.

howabout · 29/10/2015 18:56

I asked to go PT when childless and under 30. When my employer didn't agree I resigned and went freelance. Work / life balance is a good thing.

SilverBirchWithout · 29/10/2015 19:00

I have a few health problems (depression and galloping insomnia), I am lucky to be able to afford to work PT, which enables me to manage my health issues.

ScarletRuby2 · 29/10/2015 19:03

You are being massively unreasonable and shouldn't be managing people.

DrDreReturns · 29/10/2015 19:07

My game plan is to go part time in ten years or so (when I'm fifty). By then I'll have been working full time for thirty years assuming I stay in work, and I'll want to spend more time doing other things. I wish this guys attitude was more common as I envisage problems when I ask for this. Part time working isn't that prevalent in my industry.