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?!

Definitely not.

I wouldn't think anything of it! 4 days per week is still significant to me but I only work 2 days per week. I plan to remain part time even when dcs are older and will only ever work full time if necessary
due to finances/circumstances. I value time over money. Do what's best for yourself and family, don't worry about what people think!

I retired at 50 and haven't worked a day since! Sometimes people look at me a bit when they ask me what I do (nothing) and they usually say "But don;t you get bored?" (Nope) but I don't give a monkeys if they are judging me

Go for it!

I've got no children and I work part time. I worked full time for 23 years with the same company, obviously with no maternity breaks, I felt when I was made redundant my next job would be part time. I've now paid off my mortgage and have a decent standard of living.

If it's law I think it will be judged negatively and you will still get as much work - just less pay!

I don't have kids and would go part time tomorrow if I could afford it. Three days a week would suit me just fine

Nobody cares why they do it really.

Unfortunately, a lot of people are judgemental twats and they do carehmm.
Who are all these people though? Is it industry related, are their opinions relevant?

In 35 years of working in several sectors at different levels I have never seen anyone held back, sneered at or judged for being a part time and some of gone on to management positions.

The most I've heard is people sigh in envynessat our part timers rota which is pretty impressive if you like time off!

I think everyone should work 4 days out of 7.

No. A previous colleague did it through compressing her week - not part -time though (local government) and my friend took the chance when her company were looking to cut jobs.
BUT. Having hone full to part time (following maternity leave). I found I was treated very much as an uncommited second class employee. Told to only attend one team meeting a month, not invited out to things etc.

Who are all these people though?

When some places accept a PT request they don't recruit for the "lost" hours and that affects everyone and makes everyone feel grumpy/defensive

If you can afford it you should work part time! Just make sure your boss doesn't expect you to do a full time job in part time hours for part time money.

Oh there is nothing more annoying to some than someone working part time when they (have to) work full time! And if you don't have kids they can't fathom for the life of them why you don't work full time.

Since I retired several years ago, shortly before I was 50, I have had judgy, rude, sarcastic comments from many people close to my age (45 to 55.) One woman (aged 54,) in my neighbourhood, is incensed that I don't work, and keeps asking why. What do I do all day? Don't I get bored? Surely I will work again ONE day?

FFS, I worked for almost 35 years, and paid my dues. I was a high earner for much of that time, (professional career,) and paid shit loads in taxes and national insurance. So when the chance to retire came up at 50, with a good pay-off and a good personal pension, I grabbed it with both hands.

I get people asking 'well are you and your husband ok with just one wage are you?' and 'are there medical reasons for not working?' and my personal favourite 'are you ok with being kept by your husband?' Errrrrrm I am NOT kept by him and have my own income thank you! All kinds of bollocks questions. So annoying.

I get envy, confusion, and pure, unadulterated bitterness and jealousy.

I worked part time before I had kids too (just for a year as the company was making cutbacks and asked for volunteers for people to go part time,) and again, I got so many nasty, sarcastic comments. I also went part time (24 hours a week,) after having kids but didn't get as much shit then.

At the end of the day, it's got fuck-all to do with ANYONE if you want to go part time, or even give up work altogether. It's their problem, not yours.

As for whether the company you work for would have an issue with it (not inviting you to stuff, telling you to not go to meetings etc,) that would depend on the company of course. Never happened to me though. My boss/the company were OK with me. Although a couple of colleagues were sniffy with me sometimes. I put it down to jealousy.

My best friend works PT (3.5 days a week) no kids, mid 30s. I don't judge her, I think it's fab! Spends the other time doing her artwork & selling it on Etsy.

However I have two other close friends who do judge her, but they are workaholics who seem to think that nobody works as hard as they do.

They don't judge me as I have kids (and work PT).
(And yes, j judge them for their attitude! )

Thanks for all your advice. I am finding the different perspectives really useful. Especially those who have had experience of actually doing it. I am surprised by all the benefits comments... I hadn't even considered claiming benefits! There's no chance I would be entitled to anything! That's certainly not why I would think of reducing my hours. Surely most people can earn more by working than claiming benefits?! Maybe I am just naive about that as it's not something I know a lot about.