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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To say that working full time is easier than working part time.

49 replies

Graceflorrick · 10/01/2017 20:06

After working part-time for the last five years, I have recently taken a full-time post. I'm only a few weeks in but my conclusion so far is that working full time is easier.

When I worked part time, I often had the same number of assignments as full time members of staff and was expected to use my own time. Additionally, on my days off nobody would pick up emergencies or phone calls/e-mails and so I'd have to wade through issues that had arisen on my days off and deal with them, before continuing with my existing work.

I'm now working full-time and I'm finding it so much easier. I'm keeping on top of telephone calls, e-mails and work, not having to work in my own time, having a lunch break AND still finding down-time isn't the week to have a moment to myself.

I'm remembering why I used to enjoy working so much. It's still early days so I could be wrong, but so far, things are much better.

OP posts:

Surreyblah · 10/01/2017 20:09

I have found the same, at work, but FT doesn't work so well at home for me, and DH does his fair share.

Caprianna · 10/01/2017 20:10

Sounds like you were working fulltime but paid for part time before.

trilbydoll · 10/01/2017 20:15

I work pt and agree with everything you've written, it's really stressful at work and you never seem to achieve anything as well as you want!

I do need the extra time at home though just to do stuff like washing. The two full days I'm at work we don't seem to have any evening, the half days work much better because tea can be cooked earlier etc.

I need 8 days in a week, 5 at work and 3 at home

RoboticSealpup · 10/01/2017 20:19

Yanbu. My former boss used to tell me she needed something done by Friday. She would say this on a Wednesday. When I was working Monday-Wednesday.

FarAwayHills · 10/01/2017 20:20

YANBU I think it's the case that many people who are part time are actually doing the job of a full time person in part time hours.

Blazedandconfused · 10/01/2017 20:20

I found full time a killer with a toddler, then a pregnancy. I was exhausted, we are crap food, DS was exhausted. We cried a lot. I was doing a lot if things very badly.

Now I work 3 days (plus a catch up day on Saturday) I'm more organised at work. Can meal plan, do a midweek top up shop- we eat really healthy food now. Have energy for a proper bedtime routine fir 2 little ones. Midweek laundry gets done. I spend more time with friends and family.

Life is so much better for me working part time. When DS2 stops waking every 2 hours, life will be almost perfect!

Allthewaves · 10/01/2017 20:22

Nope but I do a job share with great job share partner who's on the same page. Noway could I manage dc's and work ft

GreenTureen · 10/01/2017 20:24

I'd have to wade through issues that had arisen on my days off and deal with them, before continuing with my existing work

I work four days and I do identify with this. I'm off on a Wednesday and start at 8.30am on Thursday but it's at least 10.30am before I manage to get any 'actual' work done because of ploughing through a whole days worth of emails.

However, other than that, I love only working four days. I've done it for the past couple of years now and I bloody adore my Wednesday off. In half term we need a days less full-day childcare, plus I get the extra day with the dc. During termtime it's my get stuff done day. I clean, I shop, get stuff done which just makes the whole of the rest of the week much less busy and stressful for all of us. I would never voluntarily go back to full time over 5 days!

SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 10/01/2017 20:25

I know what you mean.

I've found work/ life balance better part time, but the flow of work can be simpler full time with notice for deadlines and chasing things up. The distribution of hours can make a difference too. I found having the days in a row better than split through the week.

Temporaryanonymity · 10/01/2017 20:27

I think so too. I have the ideal balance; full time with one or two days at home. It also helps that my children are in juniors now so easier to handle.

Trainspotting1984 · 10/01/2017 20:27

Working a full time job in part time hours for part time money is very different to doing a proper part time job though

Rarotonga · 10/01/2017 20:29

It depends on your role! I get what you mean, but in my job it is much harder to work full time. I work in the public sector and managing five days worth of a bulging, impossible caseload is infinitely more stressful than managing two or three days! I can't remember the last time I left work on time or had completely work-free weekends.
Roll on mat leave in two weeks time, I can't imagine going back to full time work in my current role, life is too short!

limon · 10/01/2017 20:31

Yabu. I am totally exhausted working full time. When I was 4.days a week it was so much easier.

Ameliablue · 10/01/2017 20:36

It is not always case. I've recently gone back to ft from pt and hate it, it's much harder.

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 10/01/2017 20:40

When I worked part time, I often had the same number of assignments as full time members of staff and was expected to use my own time.

That's not part time working though.

That's just exploitation.

RogueStar01 · 10/01/2017 20:43

i agree with the person who said the work part is easier FT, but the home part is harder to squeeze into less time. I think it's because a lot (not all) FT jobs have some implicit slack time built into them, and if you go PT you lose that.

DailyMaui · 10/01/2017 20:44

YABU - I work full time with a shitty commute into London (thanks Govia you fuckwits) and it is no way comparable to me doing the same job part time (which I did for 6 years). My work life balance is awful and I'm constantly tired. I'd drop a one day like a flash but they don't even consider this at work now. I had tons of time when I was working half my hours. TONS. Went to the gym, yoga, dog walked, had a decent social life. Now I just stay barely on top of stuff and by the time I get in at night I'm shattered.

It sounds like your job isn't actually part time and they are taking the piss.

DailyFail1 · 10/01/2017 20:46

Yabu. I work 60 plus hours a week (only get paid for 35). In some industries everybody has to go over and beyond and in these places there is no way a part time/full time role is comparable.

ClaryIsTheBest · 10/01/2017 20:46

I've only worked part time for a few months (am currently still home 2 afternoons a week).

For me personally it doesn't seem to make a difference. But that's because I have no hourly requirements anyway. So, I'm technically still working full time.

Scotlass · 10/01/2017 20:48

I definitely found working part time (4 days) easier than working full time (5 days). Being able to do boring home admin, shove in laundry load before school drop off, go shopping, to Drs, dentist or any other appointments without dragging DC with me was heaven. Also meant we actually got to do fun things at the weekend.

If you've got the same amount of work to do in 4 days that you would do in 5 full time is going to be easier from a work perspective

ClaryIsTheBest · 10/01/2017 20:51

Btw, although I have shorter lunch breaks and come earlier to the office (or work during the night... and have slept in my office on a few occasions, but that isn't a new thing)...

I do prefer it this way. Being away from a DD is much harder. :(

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 10/01/2017 20:53

Yanbu
I have cut my hours and my pay but my workload is that of a FT person. I can only fit in so many unpaid hours working from home.

DailyFail1 · 10/01/2017 20:53

Clary - why don't you switch to ft and ask to work from home two days a week instead?

Xmasbaby11 · 10/01/2017 20:55

I work 3 days a week with 2 DC aged 3 and 5. Until DD2 was born, I worked full time.

My job was slightly easier full time as I had a little more down time and more flexibility in when to get tasks done. Now I only work Mon - Wed, work is a bit more intense. However my workload is 60% as it should be - I am not being exploited. I do miss meetings and opportunities for development. It is a sacrifice I am happy to make for now. My work life balance is great. I am always happy to go to work on Monday, and I always feel very grateful at 4.30 on Wednesday that I've finished for the week!

One DC is in reception and the other at nursery, so when the little one starts reception, I may increase my hours as I'm not sure I could justify pt then.

I have several friends who dropped to pt and found they were still doing the same workload in less time for less money, so increased to ft again. I think it depends on the role and whether it actually works pt.

StealthPolarBear · 10/01/2017 20:55

By working full time in pt hours do people mean working about 37 hours?

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