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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think there should be more part time jobs

90 replies

Banana99 · 04/07/2016 13:40

I'm unemployed (by choice because I thought I would get something else).

I've had employment agency on the phone again offering me full time work. I've had several agencies tell me if I could work full time I would be employed tomorrow as they are desperate for people!

Except I can't work full time, my childcare options are rubbish (older primary child) especially in the holidays and DHs work is long hours and unpredictable.

Why don't they split more jobs in 2. Literally could tear my hair out with it.

OP posts:

DementedUnicorn · 04/07/2016 13:49

I'm not trying to be goady but if you want PT for childcare would that not automatically mean the other person would end up working all the rubbish?

If it was a 9-5 job for instance, how would you suggest the shifts be split?

treaclesoda · 04/07/2016 13:54

I know what you mean actually. I'm constantly surprised when they say on the news etc that too many people can only find part time work when they need and want full time because where I live it's the opposite, it's incredibly rare to see a part time job advertised, and people (well, let's be honest, it's mostly women) are desperate for them.

Original poster

Banana99 · 04/07/2016 13:55

I can get childcare before and after school so happy to do some full days. I used to do work with 2 women who both did 3 days and both worked the Wednesday together (not always possible it's more than FT). Initially it was 2.5 each but they wanted them to have contact.

For me it's the knock on to the holidays - working full time means having to cover full time with child when there is only me. Part time means I can muddle through with clubs (only a few hours), friends and holiday

OP posts:

Mouikey · 04/07/2016 13:57

Jobs shares actually cost a firm significantly more (double pension etc.) it doesn't actually work out a 50/50 split which is why it's often harder to find. Retail is probably a good place to look or local councils often offer part time work. However be careful if you do go into a job share, if the other person leaves and they can't find a replacement or you don't take the full hours, you can lose your job

Andrewofgg · 04/07/2016 13:59

If you have two p/t that's two NI contributions and I believe- somebody will know if I am wrong - that it always costs more than one. For many employers that's a sufficient, rational, non-misogynist reason to prefer a full-timer.

HerRoyalNotness · 04/07/2016 14:00

Why don't you interview for full time and try to negotiate reduced hrs in the holidays? There is always a way! And you won't know if you don't ask.

CremeEggThief · 04/07/2016 14:02

YANBU. So much for flexible working! I have to do supply teaching, as in 8 years of looking I haven't been able to get a part-time post, and I don't want to work full-time, for family and health reasons.

Dixiechickonhols · 04/07/2016 14:02

Most people I know who work part time used to be full time in the same role me included. It does stop people moving jobs. No jobs in my field are advertised part time. Work are struggling to recruit in one role and I bet they would have more luck if they advertised it as part time/flexible.

I can see it being a pro for a business too especially if they need extra cover at holiday times etc ask if a part timer will up their hours to cover it.

Mov1ngOn · 04/07/2016 14:03

I wish I'd retrained before I had kids. Some careers are mucheasier to be pt in (occupational therapy, psychologist , social work, teachers.. .)

I only want pt but it looks like only basic minimum wage work.

VimFuego101 · 04/07/2016 14:04

Part time jobs are tough to find, for the reason Mouikey mentioned. How old is your child, could they come home by themselves after school and be on their own for an hour or so while you work/ in the holidays?

HatHardOn · 04/07/2016 14:11

I really struggled to find part time positions during my studies and the only way I ever found roles (3 of them) was after sending out speculative CVs. I explained clearly in the cover letter what hours I could do and why, as well as all of the obvious things like skills etc. The firms that hired me had no jobs advertised at all at the time I sent my application in but, luckily, created roles for me to fit their needs.

Btw they were all standard office jobs, I'm nothing special! I tend to find many offices could do with having someone come in for a few hours a week to pick up the slack or cover sickness/holidays.

Grumpysfirstwife · 04/07/2016 14:24

There should be more opportunity to work part time/job share etc.

I used to work for a company many many years ago they offered only part time. They employed 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 4pm, 4pm - 8pm or 8pm - midnight.

Most Mums worked 9am-12 (when children were at school) or 8pm - midnight (after children were in bed) and most of the men employed there worked between 1pm and 8pm (so they didn't have to put the children to bed ).

They weren't bothered by the NI being extra because their business was open longer hours and had more international clients than if they had only opened 9-5.

I believe businesses really do need to get a grip of this. Theyre missing out on a massive market not only in gaining new business but employing the right employees (Parents returning to work) by only working 9-5.

Original poster

Banana99 · 04/07/2016 14:27

On no VinFuego - a while before she can be home alone.

I found when I was part time before (a job I had to leave sadly) I was also off ill less and had more flexibility for docs appointments etc - and could even swop days esp if child was off sick. Overall it made me more reliable I think

I had wondered if it cost more.

Some jobs I've applied for when you can see how many apply - and the part time ones have huge numbers.

An NHS one I was offered recently was 8-6 and they were struggling to fill it - wonder why!!

OP posts:

Andrewofgg · 04/07/2016 14:55

HerRoyalNotness Except in the ed. biz. most jobs are the same all the year round. If an employer can find someone who does not need reduced hours in the holidays why would that person not be preferable?

Andrewofgg · 04/07/2016 15:01

Grumpysfirstwife It's an unusual business where that is viable but if it is: is it healthy in the long run for women or for men?

Here of all places it should not be necessary to make the point that fathers should be able and willing to put their children to bed.

Where odd hours are worked everyone should expect and be expected to take their share of all the shifts.

familyfarm · 04/07/2016 15:03

Yanbu at all.

With both parents working full time it can take a huge toll on family life, especially if both parents are in long and demanding jobs. It also means the children miss out too.

My DH works long hours in a demanding job, and when my DD starts school I want to get a part time job, ideally one that is in school hours only or is 3 days a week, so on the other 2 days I can catch up on housework, so that when we do spend time together it is quality time. It also means I'll have more time with my DD during the week.

But chances of finding a job like that are very low!

Lonecatwithkitten · 04/07/2016 15:09

I think it really depends on the sector I employ 10 staff and 6 of those are part time. Varying shifts and hours. Part time is very common in my sector, but it is mostly through full timers who have gone part time.

Tiggeryoubastard · 04/07/2016 15:13

I can't see trying to negotiate reduced hours in the holidays going over very well. That's when most people take their hols so they're already undermanned. I do wonder sometimes if some people have actually been emotes in workplaces, some if the things I read on here.

Tiggeryoubastard · 04/07/2016 15:14

Emotes = employed

sammassammas · 04/07/2016 15:21

I am currently trying to fill 20 part time retail posts and fibding it very hard because shockingly they have evening and weekend working. The amount of times i have had people come to interview for roles with specified hours and say i can only do schools hours is unbelievable. These are the same people who complain that they had to queue for 2 mins on a saturday evening to be served!!!! Rant over

TutanKaDashian · 04/07/2016 15:29

I used to work for the Civil service and they were amazing for changing hours. I was there 6.5 years and in that time, started full time, then had DS so went part time. But I must have changed my hours at least three times to suit nursery and then school. By the time he went to school I was doing 9.30-2.30 so I could do pick up and drop off which was fab. They also did part time term time which a lot of mum's did.

The job I'm in now I could never go part time in I single handedly cover five counties so if I left I'd just have to do all my work over four days :-(

splendide · 04/07/2016 15:41

I think encouraging more part time roles could be really positive - especially high paid ones actually. Spread the wealth around a bit more!

IJustLostTheGame · 04/07/2016 15:48

I can only find minimum wage part time work.

I've got one which I love but I don't really earn very much money at all.

ThisIsStartingToBoreMe · 04/07/2016 15:54

No one in a part time role ever leaves it that's why there's no vacancy

MewlingQuim · 04/07/2016 15:58

YANBU

I can only work part time due to a health condition. Finding part time work is nearly impossible. I am stuck in my current role with no chance of career progression because I can't commit to longer hours. I often achieve as much in my reduced hours as the full timers do

Most part timers in my profession were full timers who then reduced their hours after having children. Many managers are very anti- part timers

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