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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 9-5 jobs are a thing of the past?

29 replies

AngeloMysterioso · 08/05/2018 18:10

Currently on a temp job and looking for a full time role in London, and the standard hours of almost every job I’ve seen are at least 9-5:30, most of them 9-6 or 8:30-5:30, one of them is 8-6!

So is 9-5 just not a thing any more, or is it just that prospective employers don’t think people need a work/life balance?

OP posts:
stressed3000 · 08/05/2018 18:15

try public sector?

DuchyDuke · 08/05/2018 18:20

9-5 temp jobs do exist - try banking and legal sectors. But be aware that in these industries everyone is expected to work far, far longer.

Horsedogbird · 08/05/2018 18:22

I know it's a piss take tbh

ConferenceBores · 08/05/2018 18:22

Much more common in Scotland ime than London. 20 years ago I never saw a 9-5 in London in the private sector.

Original poster
AngeloMysterioso · 08/05/2018 18:23

I don’t want a temp job, and I am looking in the financial sector. Initially I was telling consultants I need a 9-5 as I have other commitments outside of work (shock horror) and they basically told me there was no point looking for roles with those hours as they simply do not exist.

OP posts:
blackteasplease · 08/05/2018 18:25

I can work 9 -5 alot of the time. I often do 10-6 because that means i only need childcare in one block aftee school rather than trying to find someone to do a split shift.

Some people do 8-4.

There are days when i have to work longer hours or take my computer home and work but generally they are flexible.

It is public sector so comes with a wage hit.

RosyPrimroseface · 08/05/2018 18:27

genuinely thought 9-5 was a figure of speech tbh. Surely it's 9-5.30 at the least.

Graphista · 08/05/2018 18:28

Haven't for years ime. Few even only mon-fri except council type jobs and they go before they're barely advertised for that reason!

We work stupid hours in U.K. Yet have millions unemployed.

Personally I think having more people employed but working sensible hours would make more sense economically and for people's work/life balance and health.

Storm4star · 08/05/2018 18:30

I think it's more that employers don't care about work life balance. My job was 37.5 hours per week. I'm in a role where we have a few offices around London. Then our base was moved. It meant one poor woman had a three hour commute each way to get to the new place. She asked for a transfer which was refused. She cited "work life balance" they cited "business need".

CarysMa · 08/05/2018 18:31

I could work 9 to 5. But I choose 8 to 16.00 - roughly

ConferenceBores · 08/05/2018 18:31

Does depend a bit on local and company culture - officially I work 40 hours per week but I always finish at 5 for childcare - I didn’t walk into a job like this though I have been doing what I do for far too long and I’m also not in London.

Onlyjoinedforthisthread · 08/05/2018 18:32

I've never had a 9 to 5 job always started at 8 and finished at 5 at the earliest for the last 25 years

Pinkallium · 08/05/2018 18:32

Smaller companies are often still 9-5, the one I work for is and it’s a large part of the attraction of the job for me. Bigger companies tend to be 9-5.30 or longer. Sounds like not much of a difference, but it can make all the difference in work life balance terms for working parents.

Graphista · 08/05/2018 18:35

Storm - of course employers don't care! But that's what govt is for. There are lots of employees who are actually working for less than nmw because they're working ridiculous amounts of unpaid overtime but it's not enforced.

Easy to report benefit fraud, slightly harder to report tax fraud - bloody impossible to get working hours/nmw rules enforced.

BeeFarseer · 08/05/2018 18:35

I work a 37 hour week and have flexi, in the public sector. My average day is an 8:30 - 4:30, but sometimes I'll do a 9:15 - 15:00ish and then work a longer day.

I love the freedom it gives me, but the wages are terrible.

Merryoldgoat · 08/05/2018 18:35

Both DH and I have 9-5 jobs that pay reasonably well. We aren’t high flyers though and I expect high-paid high-stakes roles are not 9-5.

Gottagetmoving · 08/05/2018 18:37

It's becoming a thing of the past because people put up with being expected to do longer hours. I'm surprised how many people will work lots of extra hours for 'free' because 'its the way to get on' and it will 'impress the manager'
People are very easily manipulated today.

Doyoumind · 08/05/2018 18:38

I've worked in offices for 20 years and have never worked anywhere where the hours were 9-5. Normally it's been 9-5.30 or 6 but actual hours much longer.

Graphista · 08/05/2018 18:41

Gottaget I think it's more a case of fear of losing their jobs and then having no money coming in!

There's nowhere near enough support for employees now and it's getting worse.

Certain employers not recognising unions, legal aid is MUCH harder to get for employment disputes now, high unemployment means employees are easily replaced...

Polarbearflavour · 08/05/2018 18:46

I’ve worked in the public sector and private sector.

Worked in banking - 10-6 with an hour for lunch.
Another bank 9-5 ish with an hour for lunch but more flexible
Civil Service - flexi time with no core hours
Current job - core hours are between 10-4 and flexible

Gottagetmoving · 08/05/2018 18:46

Graphista
Not just employers not recognising unions. It's also people not really understanding what unions actually do or believing the crap that unions are 'bad'
Of course people worry about losing their jobs but with no union support, that's more likely than not....or just put up with whatever demands your employers make.

Graphista · 08/05/2018 18:48

I agree. People don't understand that unions are there FOR employees. They got employees many of the rights the currently have.

The perception seems to be they're just about striking. But that's right wing employer supporting rhetoric.

WonderTweek · 08/05/2018 18:51

I work 9-5 or 8-4 but I tend to have a working lunch every day as buses often screw me over and I end up getting in a bit later. My work are very relaxed about hours and no one is clock watching or taking the mick, and I appreciate the trust my managers give me. The wages aren’t great but we are a charity so no one in the organisation is truly raking it in.

My boss always tells me to take breaks and leave early but he comes in at 5am and often stays until 9pm, and hardly ever takes a day off. He really doesn’t have to but he just loves the place. Haha.

I’m in the South West if that makes a difference. I have had a lot of 9-5 jobs here but generally in the public sector.

stressedandskint · 08/05/2018 19:19

I need a 9 til 5 job as a single parent with no family support. Childcare closes at 6pm! It's definitely a struggle trying to find one.

Best of luck OP, hope you find something soon!

BakedBeans47 · 08/05/2018 19:22

Yeah I have noticed this too. It’s a bit shit if you have children in childcare and any kind of a commute, as IME childcare all closes at 6pm. Well round here it does anyway.