Would you judge someone for working part time (no kids)?

[whatevertrevor84]

What are your thoughts on someone who chooses to work part time (say, four days per week), but who does not have kids, so no childcare excuse? In fact no real "excuse" just would like to have a bit more time off? Context is professional career (law, accountancy etc) in London. Would you think they were lacking in ambition or not serious about their career? Be honest... you'd probably hate them wouldn't you?!

No I would love to do that and have done whenever possible. Other people have been surprised at me doing it though when I don't have kids, but not in a judgey way.

No it's up to them, I'd love to work pt. it's no one else's business anyway.

you'd probably hate them wouldn't you?!

why would anyone hate them? Why would it affect anyone else? It's their choice! People all over the world have all sorts of differing work schedules to suit their lives. 9-5 x5 days a week is no longer the standard. People are slowly realising that they can adjust their work to better fit their own lifestyle and that is a good thing. If you want to do it and your job allows it then do it and don't look back.

I have older (teenage) children and have recently taken both a step back in my career and dropped to 4 days. Nothing to do with childcare, obviously, everything to do with balance. I would therefore completely understand!

No, why would anyone hate them? If they can afford to work part time and the time means more than the money to them , I doubt anyone would care.

I probably wouldn't even think about it, and if I did it wouldn't be anything negative. Honestly, if you can afford to take the dip in earnings, then go for it! There is more to life than work.

If I could afford to then I'd do this in a heartbeat. Go for it!

Fair do's to them.

No I wouldn't hate them, what a daft thing to assume

Nope - I would too if I could, and I don't have any children.

No each to their own. However as a solicitor I would assume that if you were not already a partner that you were not aiming to be one. Not saying you should aim to be one but unless you were in a niche area it would be harder to meet most firm's business case to become one. There is something to be said to have good quality assistant solicitors who do not have the desire to run a business but just being a good lawyer.

I'd be envious. Sounds like a much better work/life balance than full time.

I currently work 3 days per week but have a 2yo and 4yo so I don't have much time to myself

If I could, I would do it. If finances are not a problem, I say go for it.

Everyone needs and deserves a good work-life balance, you only get one chance at enjoying the way you choose to lead your life. I much prefer the 'work to live' than the 'live to work' ethos. I doubt many peoples last thoughts are "gosh, I really wish I worked more". I would applaud someone who chose life over their hours logged at work (assuming they were earning enough to fund their chosen lifestyle). HTH.

Of course I wouldn't judge them. I'd probably be quite envious actually. I'd love to work four days.

It certainly wouldn't indicate lack of ambition to me.

Very bizzare thread. It's like asking if someone takes early retirement because they can would you hate them too, eh no?

Why would you hate them? Jealousy maybe. I would think they wanted to work to live rather than live to work, which surely is admirable. If they are professional in London, they are probably earning enough to do it.

Absolutely not. In fact I'd positively admire them.

I'm in one of the careers you mentioned and I used to work with a 30-something year old guy who worked 3 days per week and was studying for a fine art degree in the other two. I spoke to him about it once and his take on it was really inspiring.

I think you have the legal right to request part-time working for any reason whatsoever - it doesn't have to be for childcare reasons.

Yeah. I'm planning to in a few years. I think it's a brilliant idea.

If anyone makes you feel guilty, mention the harm stress does to our bodies and that you will consequently save the NHS £££. Or just fuck 'em, your life.

I'd be jealous not judgy.

Wow I am surprised by the answers, thank you! I have been considering doing this for some time. My main reservation has been fear of being hated / judged. I work in a pretty competitive environment where lots of people work full time even though they have kids and I thought they would hate me. I am in a small team and we are very overstretched so me going part time would definitely have an impact on the others.

I'd respect them for having the balls to do as they pleased!

I've worked with a few people who were part time and didn't have kids (professional jobs). A couple of them were part time so they could dedicate more time to their hobbies and interests. One went part time to plan her presumably pretty OTT wedding. Fair play.

I think everyone should have the same right to work PT whether it's to do with looking after kids/other relatives or because they want to spend one day per week in their dressing gown eating cake.

I have an acquaintance who does this. Professional role, no kids.
Made changes to her outgoings so that she could afford it. I just look at her and think good for her.

Will you get part time hours without a reason though? Where I work you need a reason to cut back hours - they won't consider it without

Nothing but admiration. I left city law to go self-employed precisely because I couldn't see my firm agreeing to this unless I had DC. I'd had it with being overpaid and overworked.