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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to work full time? Would you choose part time permanently?

145 replies

speakout · 02/03/2018 12:00

If you could would a 20 hour a week suit you?
Now that my youngest is about to go off to Uni I have no desire to increase to full time hours.
Wouldn't that be ideal for everyone- assuming money was not pressing.

OP posts:
PoorYorick · 02/03/2018 12:33

It doesn't matter what any of us would choose. If it works for you and your financial situation allows it, do it.

Groovee · 02/03/2018 12:33

I have a chronic health condition and know that I just can't manage to work full time as my job is physically and mentally demanding. I aim to have 2 days off a week and it works fine for me. Currently doing 3 mornings.

Merrz · 02/03/2018 12:35

If you can afford to definitely do it! I work a 45 hour week at the moment monday - friday and by the time you keep on top of house chores shopping/cooking/cleaning/washing etc outside that i feel like i have little time/energy for hobbies and socialising. I sometimes wonder what it's all about, life's too short

reluctantbrit · 02/03/2018 12:36

I have a couple of colleagues with no children who decided to cut their hours. It works very well, they are a lot more relaxed at work and feel more happy in general with their lives.

I think if the p/t partner is happy to take on work at home and therefore ease the f/t partner, all is well. I would still make sure though that my pension is safe and still all money is family money.

DH will always earn more than me, even f/t I would only earn 50% of his salary. It would be crazy to assume I have to pay 50% of the bills or similar, p/t or f/t. All money goes in one pot, children or not.

EveningShadows · 02/03/2018 12:39

I do feel sorry for the dhs who never get this option - I’m sure my dh would love to work p/t too Sad.

Steakandchips3 · 02/03/2018 12:41

Yanbu. I work 16 hours per week over 2 days. I have 3 young dcs but will stay at 16 hours per week permanently unless I have to up hours due to financial circumstances. I love having time with the dcs, friends and family and time to go for walks, lunch etc.
I am 38 have only worked full time for 3 years in total!

Ooogetyooo · 02/03/2018 12:45

I have a dh who probably has the option of reducing his hours or at least working from home more often instead of frazzling himself attending every meeting known to man and micro managing his team. His ego prevents him from stepping off the wheel slightly. We have no mortgage, we can cover bills and have enough left over for luxuries. Some people are just stuck on the treadmill of full time hours , say they have a great work ethic, blah blah but they're bloody exhausted when sometimes they don't have to be.

Rachyabbadabbadoo · 02/03/2018 12:46

I read a very interesting article the other day about the dangers of staying part time on a long term basis - purely based on the impact it has on your pension. I do work part time, and can't see that changing for a few years, but must admit it did make me think that I need to consider this.

Steakandchips3 · 02/03/2018 12:46

My dh doesn't want to work pt, he's happy working full time and happy for me to be part time.

wellhonestly · 02/03/2018 12:48

If you can afford it, go for it!

One reason I work full-time rather thank part-time is to bump my workplace pension up - I wouldn't get much of a pension from 20 hrs a week.

susurration · 02/03/2018 12:51

Yes, no problem as long as you've taken into account that it may affect your pension in the future due to lower NI and pension contributions.

Bluelady · 02/03/2018 12:53

Odd views here.

I no longer work at all. My husband works full time. If I'd ever had as easy a time as he has when I was working I'd have been delighted. A less frazzled person I've never seen.

It's not the hours you work but how you work them. A 20 hour high stress week is much more demanding than a 40 hour low stress one.

Some men like coming home to an immaculate house, a home cooked meal and a happy relaxed partner. It's not a popular MN view so shoot me.

Viviennemary · 02/03/2018 12:53

Even better is be a SAHM It's bliss once you've no DC's at home.

TheNavigator · 02/03/2018 12:58

My only concern with long term PT work is the hit to your pension.

Commuterface · 02/03/2018 12:58

I started working 3 days a week after mat leave with my eldest DD. Youngest DD will be starting school in September but there is no way I will be increasing my days. I pull in a good salary for 3 days a week and it works for our family. My biggest justification is that I’ll be working until I am almost 70 so I’d sooner enjoy time with my children and to pursue other things while I am still young enough.

SilverySurfer · 02/03/2018 13:00

I also agree with Yellow. When does your DH get the opportunity to exercise, potter and nurture himself?

phoenix1973 · 02/03/2018 13:03

Nothing wrong with working pt!
Since dd started primary, I've worked 30 hours 24 hours 9 hours 18 hours.
I'm starting a pt PERMANENT 😁job this month. 18.5 hours, best money I've been on since before DD.
She's starting high school this year i dont want to do ft but may have to. We'll see.
The main issue with pt is low pay, dull, dirty or dumbed down jobs.

ReanimatedSGB · 02/03/2018 13:03

It would be massively, massively better for everyone if a 20-hour working week was the norm. It could easily be managed, via either the introduction of UBI, or overall higher wages (or the two together), and this would be affordable if a) company tax and b) top rate income tax were slightly increased and the collection of them properly enforced.

But we are still being fed this bullshit that 'work' for the sake of it is essential, with a definition of 'work' as 'spending your time obeying commands and completing tasks to make someone else wealthier'. This is why there are so many jobs that are not only boring and/or a bit stressful to do but utterly pointless.

Taffeta · 02/03/2018 13:04

My DH exercises, potters and nurtures himself all weekend whilst I run around like a blue arsed fly cooking, washing, shopping, ferrying DC to activities, supervising homework etc etc

MrsJoshDun · 02/03/2018 13:05

Well my dh gets the option to potter, do sports , etc every evening and weekend. If I worked full time he’d be busy doing grocery shopping, hoovering, laundry.

Ooogetyooo · 02/03/2018 13:05

Silvery- as per my point above, some dh don't want to nurture themselves or potter about, they love the buzz of rushing about trying to fit as much work into the week as they can. Mine does. It drives me potty.

CobraKai · 02/03/2018 13:06

A SAHM isn't a SAHM with no DCs at home. That's just a SAH.

MrsJoshDun · 02/03/2018 13:08

And if he wanted to go part time he could as far as I’m concerned. We could afford it. Not sure whether his job would allow it or not.

Bluelady · 02/03/2018 13:09

Mine potters and relaxes at work, he's winding down to retirement very comfortably.

FancyABrewOrTwo · 02/03/2018 13:14

I could go part time but have choosen not to as I want to retire early which is achievable if I work less years full time rather than more years part time.

I also did the financial calculations and I am better off paying for help such as cleaners, gardeners etc than going part time and doing it myself. This means the weekends are all mine to do what I want with.

I also don't think it's fair to go part time unless my DH could also go part time.