To think I'm never going to find well paid work

[Halfsack]

That fits around school hours?

Ideally I'd want to work in an office; sales/admin/customer service etc.

AIBU to think that I'm never going to find something where I can be there to pick up and drop off my DD from school?

Try your local hospital. The nhs can be quite flexible with hours for admin staff. I work 8 til 2 in an office at my lical hospital, had on the job training band 5 hopefully soon to be band 6. Or you could try and sign up for admin bank work so you can tell them which hours you can do and if there is anything available you sign up to work it.

What recent experience do you have?

Sorry just seen evening job isn't possible.

You would get help with breakfast and after school club if on a low income or for a childminder. Tax credits childcare element will pay up to 70% if on a low income .

What are your qualifications? If you had something specific (accounting aat/sage/medical secretary/paralegal) maybe it would be more in demand, better paid and employers would be keener to look at shorter hours in order to retain and attract staff.

Is there an after school club so you could work a little longer and pick up at 5pm for example?

If it's not in a School (where Could works) then no, pretty unlikely. We have moved on loads in recent decades regarding women's working conditions, etc we haven't moved along so that the majority benefit from this. Some do, but we mustn't let ourselves be yet convinced it's the 'norm', nor be 'beaten by a stick' that says because some do we all can.

These things take time and need more men not only to accept, but want to accept, their equal role in child-rearing before it can it become reality.

We are moving in that direction, so not so helpful right now, but this generation's parents are doing more to equalize that than any so far.

Maybe you can get lucky and become one of the present some.

What is admin bank work? My previous experience is in sales/customer service. General administration duties etc.

I work core hours in a supermarket ( customer service)
Do you have a partner to help out with childcare ,if you did anti social hours?
I'm able to work evenings and weekends during school holidays and l pick up more day hours while my youngest is at school.
Without much overtime l bring home st least 750.
I do work Saturday afternoon / evening though. I'm aware lots of people don't want to.
I pick up my daughter each day and take her to school also. ;)

Most admin bank work in the hospital i work at was as a receptionist in outpatients. I imagine there's all sorts though, booking appiintments in the contact centre etc. I was made redundant from my last job and needed a part time job of any description so applied for a band 2 receptionist job at the hospital. Got that and then 18 months later applied for a 30 hour per week clinical coding job and got that. Which is good because it pays a lot more! In my experience once you are in one job with the nhs its fairly easy to find another which might have better pay or hours.

Interesting

I have a specific professional qualification plus additional ones but they are all healthcare based. Finding school friendly hours in that sector is extremely difficult.

Totally agree with HatelsNotGood's post.

Surely there is work that could be outsourced to mum's who'd like to work from home. I could send emails, input data, type up documents from dictaphones. Making calls or taking them. I just think it's sad that there is so little out there for mums that want to do more.

Totally agree. The number of mums I know who have stopped working or massively reduced their hours who would rather not have (SAHP of course absolutely valid choice - would love to be one myself) is scary.

Halfsack there is such a thing already - Google 'virtual PA' - it's not a new idea

I'd look at getting into accounting. My sales and purchase ledger clerk works 24 hours a week however she pleases (usually over 3 days) and earns over £1000 per month net.

I work similar hours but as the Finance Manager.

I'm found accounts extremely flexible over the years.

We work in a school and it works for us. Our secretaries are TT only but are needed for longer hours which makes it tricky.

Unfortunately I don't have the brains for accountancy. I'm good with a calculator and can balance books but rubbish with numbers really.

I have some very flimsy advice for you as didn't want to read and run. My current role is admin based and school hours, very well paid but I started on an average wage which increased with experience and time worked at the company.

The job itself was advertised as full time but flexible hours could be discussed if selected etc. At the interview I advised that I would like to work school hours as childcare costs were extortionate. They agreed to working 9:15 till 2:45 but extended my probation period to see if I could complete all my work at reduced hours. I could and they were more than happy for me to continue working part time.

If you come across a job that offers flexible working then be upfront and ask outright if school hours are an option. You can also always call the company and ask them before applying. Good luck and hang in there

You don't need to be an accountant to do Sales and Purchase Ledger.

It's basically admin - just paying what's due and collecting what's owed. Attention to detail and accuracy are most important.

As bbg says, that work is out there and how I have been earning some income for the past 5 years BUT it is not completely reliable and you have to get savvy quickly about the charlatans, scammers and piss-takers. I underpin this with other self-employment (since 1995) but I budget to my TCs (when possible) - frankly I amaze myself sometimes that yet another month is paid for and the next 2 (float money) is still there.

It ain't eazay....

@halfsack - why can't you work FT and organise wrap around care around school hours? Lots of people do it and you'll still earn more than you pay out.

Also, it's not just about the now. It's about in a year or two when you get a promotion, salary increments etc that working now and investing in childcare will really pay off. You'll be in a much better position financially if you take the risk, hours and stress now.

I'd agree with trying for NHS jobs. If you can work every day, short hours are often achievable because a reliable competent person for 25 hours a week is a better option than a full time flake who leaves after 3 months.

I've just looked into the VA thing and the agency says you can only apply to be one if you've worked from home before :/

I work great hours in an interesting job now but went into a larger company initially as a customer adviser on a full time basis, worked like hell to prove myself and then after about 6 months negotiated better hours and in time, a more senior role and salary.

Hardest road ever though, especially those first six months when I was a full time single parent and also studying at weekends.. on a pittance and permanently shattered. I celebrated with a fab holiday when my part time hours were agreed

Is that what you do Embarrassed? Just wondered how this terminology 'wraparound' childcare actually worked out in practice?

If you've done cust service/Sales have you had a look at call centre work? If you get in a good one with a good company it is not the horrendous job it can be made out to be. I work 8-2. My friend works in a different one 9-3 and has just had the summer hols off but is working back loads of Monday's to make the hours back. She does 3 days I think. There are commissioned sales roles which can be good earners. It's just getting in at the right company and preferably not agency staff.