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?!

But that's up to your company to resolve. They may not wish the role done part time or they may need to employ more people, but you can't work more than you need to wish to because your company under resources, I'd very much doubt your colleagues would blame you. Honestly, weird train of thought.

No I'd never hate them. If I could work part-time (kids or no kids) and afford my bills I would. Obviously the kids part makes me bills higher and the likelihood of part-time a distant hope, but I'd never judge someone else.

I would judge someone who chose not to work not no other reason than they can't be bothered.

Well your colleagues may well not like it, but I would admire you for having made the lifestyle choice and be jealous (if I hadn't already made a similar choice) :)

Great if you can make it work.

My experience of working part time in a professional role in three organisations is you get shafted: less money, less credibility and end up working on day off at least occasionally.

WhisperingLoudly those things worry me very much and make me afraid to do it...

I know plenty of women who work professionally on part time basis. GPs, teachers, solicitors- all have young adult children but no direct caring responsibility. They've done with ambition and are looking at other ambitions.

Go for it, balls to what others think.

Absolutely not. Life is short and not all about work. There's a whole range of reasons part-time might be attractive to childless people - mental wellbeing, illness, caring responsibilities for parents and others - but even so people don't need a reason to make their life not all about work.

If a company has a job that they only need 3/4 days/week putting into, and someone's willing to do that, why question it?

If your team are going to be overstretched by you going part time, it is up to the management to sort it out. They may think you are less ambitious, as happens when women to part time after maternity leave, but so what? What's wrong with that? There is a terrible culture of 'presenteeism' n London accountancy and legal firms. Their only worth being measured by how late at night they can work. It's nonsense.

No, if you can afford it, do it. I wouldn't work at all if I could. As it is I'm hoping to retire very early and think carefully before spending 10p.

Also with a demanding career, I bet it's more enjoyable with fewer hours? I just do a regular job so I don't know, but I can imagine.

Plus life has many interesting things you can do too.

I've been doing condensed hours (4 day weeks) for a couple of years and only recently become a mother. I work two of those days from home. Not part time but basically means I get an extra day off just for getting up 1.5 hours earlier. It suits me better and means I have more time with my husband and a better work/life balance.

I work in a professional role and many people at my workplace do the same, male and female, parents or not. I've also been promoted since moving to this working pattern so it hasn't had a negative impact on my career. I would definitely recommend it OP. You'll never want to go back to 5 days!

All employees have a legal right to request flexible working arrangements and an employer can only turn down the request if it would be detrimental to the business. If you can put together a business case showing how you will ensure it won't have negative impacts on your workload and team it should be approved. Obviously not all roles are suitable for flexi arrangements but that's one reason I chose the type of work I do!

I think the more people that ask for these types of arrangements, the better. In a workplace like mine where many single people also work flexibly it removes any stigma or bias against parents and ensures there is no resentment from colleagues because it's open to everyone.

I'd say to make it worthwhile, do something with your day off, like a life drawing class r something. Otherwise you're taking a pay cut to wake up late and watch daytime TV or do housework!

No, I'd think they were setting a great example! More people should do this (for all sorts of reasons, not just kids).

I only think its wrong to work part time when you dont have children is if you are then claiming working tax credits to top up your earnings as you then dont earn enough.

I ve worked with many people who have adult children who refused to work full time when work was desperate for full timers because they wouldnt get working tax credits

No problem if you can afford to do it why not?

God no! Hoping to go to 4 days myself soon, more time to spend time doing things I actually want to do!

Oneiroi that sounds amazing... what is your line of work?! I doubt that sort of arrangement would wash where I work. It's a mega corporate and competitive environment...

River "Otherwise you're taking a pay cut to wake up late and watch daytime TV or do housework!"

Fine too if that's what anyone wants.

fear being hated and judged, worry me very much, make me afraid.

I think it sounds as if taking a step back or a step away would be very good for you. Reading your posts makes me wonder how you cope in a mega corporate and competitive environment tbh.

You really do sound very anxious OP.

You honestly care what others think of your career choices?

Why?

I'd think it was fantastic. I went part-time a few years ago so that i could study part-time and, as long as i can afford it, I never want to go back to being full time. Life's too short to work 5 days a week, although i know that I'm in an incredibly privileged position to be able to say that. However, I find that most of the people i work with don't understand my mentality and I keep being asked when I'm going to start working 'properly' again. Go for it.

Interesting perspectives, thanks. I thought everyone would feel like this and worry about what people would think

I do have a child but she's older so self sufficient. I only work 1 -2 days a week. I get ALOT of stick to be fair, work colleagues seem to not like that I work less hours and there is a few underhand digs, plus some acquaintances make comments about my "do-luncher" life. Of which it's not, I do more around the house, cook more etc and to be honest it gets to me at times. I started full time employment at 16 and have done that until the past few years working in hard roles. Now I'm fortunate that financially I don't have too as DH covers it nearly all and wanted me to have a break and do things for myself.
Sorry you've probably hit a nerve here with me, I get fed up of having to justify my/our decisions to family and friends all the time. It's tiresome at times and takes the shine off what I thought would be a nice few years!

goldfish that's true. It's what I do on my day off I would rather be doing something enjoyable though!

Op do you even like your mega competitive environment? Are there other less stressful solicitor/ accountancy jobs you could be doing? Are you thinking you want to go part time because you are unhappy in your environment? Maybe if that is the case, look into changing the environment.

I would be jealous but I'm jealous of everyone who can work part time. It's not an option where I work.