Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To ask why you go to work

481 replies

IamthepermedowlofVeronica · 10/04/2016 22:10

Try to be brief but thorough....
Due back from 1 years maternity at the beginning of June. Hate job, don't want to go back. Have had offer of temporary ad hoc work between June and start of summer hols.
Wondered how much job seekers is whilst I apply and interview over summer hols. Did the online calculator tangy: If I work current hours and pay childcare I would earn £6 less than if I signed on job seekers.
So why should I go to work (no career, just a money earning job) and how does signing on work? Has anyone found it detrimental to confidence etc?
Hopefully I'll get another cash earning job in September or,something when ds will be 15 months

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 10/04/2016 22:33

Well I love my job and need the money.
I also deal all day with people struggling with the DWP.
I can't imagine why you should consider signing on. Start putting serious effort into getting another job if you don't like the one you've got. I must say it sounds as though you don't want to work at all.

SusannahD · 10/04/2016 22:33

I work for money, but if I won the lotto (wishful thinking) I would still work but do less hours.

SquidgeyMidgey · 10/04/2016 22:34

Another who works primarily for sanity.

LindorBunny · 10/04/2016 22:34

Start looking for another job now. Putting aside the shitness that is being on jsa it will be very difficult to find decent childcare for a few weeks, then again come September. And it's a million times easier to find work when you're in work.

gamerchick · 10/04/2016 22:35

You can sign on but it'll be a while before you get any money if I remember right. You'll still have to sign on and do your adviser meetings to look for work.

BrightandEarly · 10/04/2016 22:35

Confidence. Financial security. Sense of duty.

SalemSaberhagen · 10/04/2016 22:35

Jeez, really Derek? That's outrageous.

Casmama · 10/04/2016 22:35

I work because I am able to and I have a responsibility to pay for my children and not rely on other peoples taxes to pay for me because I can't be arsed working.
It is also important to me that I set a good example to my children of contributing to society instead of taking from it.

JimmyGreavesMoustache · 10/04/2016 22:36

socialisation
brain fodder
and to keep the streets safe for women and children Wink

ssd · 10/04/2016 22:37

casmama, if you dont vote tory I'll eat my hat

spiggidydodah · 10/04/2016 22:37

Because I love the challenges that my work poses and I am bloody good at it. I wouldn't have got this job if I hadn't have struggled to work through the children's early years.

Because I am the least domesticated person I know and my 3 lots of 6 months mat leave had me climbing the walls.

Because now that we've stopped paying nursery we are comfortably off (we still pay after school fees) but at one stage 6 years we either made a loss or a very small profit of £10 a month. I keep finding myself amazed that we can afford to replace a broken washing machine and pay quarterly gas and electric bills in the same month.

Because I'll have a pension all of my own at the end of. (As will dh which is why he carried on work and didn't become a sahd.)

CodyKing · 10/04/2016 22:37

No mention of a partner? I believe they take their wages into account so you may not get anything -

useyourimagination · 10/04/2016 22:38

I don't work (not through choice, long story but can't find a job at the moment) but after nearly 20 years of having my own income, that's what I miss. I don't need to work as we share finances and DH has a good job but I miss being able to buy him a present that he hasn't paid for, I miss being able to contribute to the children's extra curricular activities. He doesn't bat an eye and doesn't particularly want me to work if I don't want to but I miss having my own income, even if it does just go straight back to the joint pot.

donajimena · 10/04/2016 22:40

Because I have to. I like working. I didn't for a year. Worst year of my life

Lightbulbon · 10/04/2016 22:41

With such a young child you'd get income support rather than jsa. It wouldn't matter why you'd quit and you do t have to seek work with such a young child.

JustBeingJuliet · 10/04/2016 22:42

I work because I'm a lone parent and nobody else is going to pay the bills. I don't see being on benefits as an option unless I lose my job and have to sign in and I like my holidays etc too much to stop earning the money to pay for them. I've just got a new job after 5 months of barely making ends meet after having my hours reduced and wouldn't ever voluntarily go back to being that skint again.

AgathaMystery · 10/04/2016 22:46

I go to work because my husband is a feminist & believes in equality. I wish he weren't because honestly my job is tiresome & ive had enough of the utterly vile women (all women) I work around.

Casmama · 10/04/2016 22:46

Ssd I actually have never voted Tory but I can understand why you would think that from my post Grin
I absolutely support a society where those who are able to contribute financially do so while they can in order to support those who need it. I struggle with the attitude that someone won't work because they are financially better off staying at home.

steff13 · 10/04/2016 22:47

Can you get Job Seekers' Allowance if you quit your job? Here in the US, you wouldn't be eligible for Unemployment Compensation if you voluntarily quit, or if you were fired for cause.

NewLife4Me · 10/04/2016 22:47

I felt like you OP and never went back to work, was fortunate enough to be able to live frugally, no debts ever apart from small mortgage.
No regrets, but only you can decide whats best for your situation.

Benefits have probably changed a lot since you started work, if I'm not mistaken.
It's not something you'd be happy with, I don't think.
Are you entitled to tax credits?

Hotcrossbunsandcheese · 10/04/2016 22:49

Reasons I work:

I enjoy the mental challenge

I generally enjoy the company

Like the structure

Like earning a salary/being independent

I worked very hard (2 post grad qualifications) feel it would be a waste

Genuinely felt bored on maternity leave (although do have moments where I wish I wasn't working!)

WeAllHaveWings · 10/04/2016 22:51

With jsa you need to sign on every two weeks, provide proof of jobs you have seen and applied for, ones you haven't applied for and why. You need to attend interviews perhaps at short notice. Failure to do this will result in sanctions and lost money.

It's not a (or shouldn't be) benefit because you don't fancy working. If you don't like your job find one you do like..

I work because I'm an able independent adult who takes responsibility for myself.

Sunshowercap · 10/04/2016 22:51

Clearly I work to pay for people like you, OP, who think they don't have to work.

Twowrongsdontmakearight · 10/04/2016 22:52

I work because I really haven't got any excuse not to!

DC are teenagers and I'm not as essential as I used to be. We extended the mortgage so now I need to earn money to cover it. Oh joy. If we didn't need the money I'd stop working in a flash but needs must.

SoThatHappened · 10/04/2016 22:54

Not working was isolating and boring. I didnt feel like me anymore. Also who is going to keep me if I dont work.

Swipe left for the next trending thread