How do you deal with "Part-timer" remarks

[SinisterBumFacedCat]

A colleague keeps making remarks about me working part time. It's very subtle criticism, like me not knowing certain things because I'm only in part time, or saying everyone else is in every day (I'm not the only part timer in the company) down to the "jokey" what do you do all day and suggestions that I'm lazy if I haven't managed to do something at home that week. It's been going on on ages now and I've started to realise that it's every day that I go in there's at least one comment or more.

Does anyone else working part time have colleagues who do this? How do you respond? I can't go to HR - she is HR! And also good friends with my line manager. DH says I should play on it and go on about all the reading, watching tv and generally laying about I do on my days at home, but I don't know if this will just aggravate things.

Tell her your part time because you couldn't deal with her shit full time.

Or just tell her to mind her own business. Whichever you prefer.

I am so jealous of the part time workers at my office so you could put it down to that maybe!! I'd never say anything like that to them tho. I'd never comment on it.

I'm PT and have never had any comments, love the "swap salaries" idea! I start full time in the new year and can't decide if I'm happy about it or not

Stupid fucking arseholes. I could understand if you got a fulltime wage!

Why not go part time then chesty?

I had a woman who was very much counting down to retirement and would always make an "im so envious of you." Or "what have you been up to this week." Followed by "alright for some" type remark. In the end as others have suggested I went in for the "I'll swap hours, if your prepared to swap salaries." In the end it became a joke with other staff in our department all joking with me infront of her about my footballers wife lifestyle and telling this woman "she doesn't have to be here, she does it to stay grounded." All rubbish but was funny seeing her face.

I used to get this even though I wasn't even part time!
I worked condensed hours over 4 long days and have a day off mid week.
The amount of times I used to get a sarcastic remark when the fact I wasn't in the next day was mentioned.

They would conveniently forget the fact that I had been in before them that morning and most likely still there when they're charging out the building in the evening!

'Aw fuck off/get tae fuck' usually works for me. But then it's a standing joke that I work longer than ft anyway.

I've found it's usually jealousy. I love working pt, it works so well for our family. I'm the only female in a ft male company, i love swanning out on Friday saying "see you on Weds". I cherish the pt comments with a comeback like "I know, it's fab isn't it" and "A four day weekend every weekend is just perfect".
I'm not easily offended and it's light hearted banter at my work.

Being charitable I can only assume some people don't actually know your salary is pro rata (not talking about you op, noticed this a lot even though I am ft). It is ridiculous

I get this too. Also, "What time are you running off to pick up DC from nursery today?" "5pm, same as always you utter cow." We are a team of two and it has so far escaped her notice that I complete more work in three days than she manages in five.

If she does make any part-time comments I do my best toddler impression, "Sorry, what? What do you mean? Sorry, I don't understand?" until she gives up, usually with a muttered and highly uncomfortable, "Oh, no, nothing, it doesn't matter."

Emily and Apples,I like your work.:)

If people said anything to me when I worked part time (three days) I used to say: "Yeah but I do five days worth of work as I'm so amazing."

I actually think the breezy "can't chat, see you when I'm next in" approach is the best idea. Don't let her see she's getting to you.

Of course it's jealousy. So many people apply for PT jobs, but can't get them, or try to have their hours reduced at work, but are refused. Not every FT worker is happy to work FT.

It's not that easy to get a PT job unfortunately.

I went part time without having any children, and many colleagues have made negative comments on it. I swear they all think my life is subsidised by DH (is not we go equal on everything). It seems that they are all able to see that I work less hours than them, but incapable of seeing that I have never owned a car newer than 10 years old compared to their constant stream of new cars and personalised number plates, and other life style choices that have made out possible for me to go part time.

On the flip side it has got other colleagues thinking/and taking about alternative working arrangements/ work life balance, so it's not all bad.

Cheeky Bing, what the hell does it have to do with her?

I get comments all the time, I usually just remind them that I don't get a full time salary either. I do 30 hours a week over 5 days, plus take calls and answer emails well in to the evening.

One bloke in particular likes to look at his watch every time I arrive and leave. It makes my blood boil but I try to rise above it.

I finished for Christmas today and two people said alright for some being part time? Erm nope it's because I saved my holidays .

I used to get 'enjoy your days off' I said ' its fabulous not being in work but I struggle on £400 a month less than you'

I agree with your DH. Irritating as it might be, just let it wash over you.

I used to get the same it. It's so draining.

Some people genuinely don't realise how it works. I had a colleague kick off at the fact I only had to use 3 days holiday when I wanted a week off rather than 5. It was like a revelation when it was pointed out th\t she didn't need to use holidays for the days she didn't get paid for (Sat and Sun) so therefore neither did I (Mon, Fri, Sat and Sun).

For every 'part-time hours' comment I got I'd just reply 'for part-time wages'.

I have been known to say 'At least I actually work in the hours I'm paid. I have many a full-time colleague who do less work than me.'

Which is true.

Or 'you do know I get paid part time too?'

"Well if you work as hard as I do , you too can have tomorrow off. I said that to one jobsworth in my previous job and I thought she was going to explode. She relished being the martyr ,being there well before shift and being the last to leave . I couldn't wait to leave that job

*should read cheeky bint - bloody auto correct!

This is an example of microbehaviours in the workplace. Little things that colleagues do or say that can make others feel undervalued, undermined, not appreciated etc. Google it. It’s been proven to seriously impact productivity in the workplace. There are loads of examples (e.g. not introducing people, looking at phone during meetings).

An idea: suggest to your manager team diversity and inclusivity training on microbehaviours. You could even get brownie points by offering to facilitate. Say you read an article about it or saw something on TV and thought it sounded interesting.

It’s a serious D&I issue. Nasty undermining comments like this are designed to chip away at your confidence. It’s an example of why many people do not feel culturally able to work part time even though they would like to. It is also an example of why many women do not feel able to return to work after maternity leave.

Don’t let her beat you OP.

I have come to the conclusion that some people honestly don't grasp that when you work part time you don't get to keep a full time salary.

My current job is great though, loads of people work part time, or compressed hours, or flexibly and no one ever comments. And I think it is even better because lots of the male staff do it too, so not being in the office five days a week doesn't mark you out as having a 'mum job'.