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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if you want to work pt you may as well burn your qualifications

178 replies

Metoodear · 19/08/2018 19:49

Having a chat with dh in the car that whatever field your in barr social work and nurseing as a women if you want to go full time

You may as well bun your qualifications because your pretty much going to be unable to find somthing with out taking a demontion or to get the summer off

I have friends who have degrees in mandarin,physiology I had a friend who worked as a high flyer Manger who had to resign as they wouldn’t allow PT work none of my friends work in their degree field because they can’t get the work pt

I myself have had to turn two jobs down one paying 25k and the other paying 28k because they wouldn’t allow PT work

I now earn 700 per month and work 3 days a week

OP posts:
Wigeon · 19/08/2018 20:00

Civil service is a very good enployer for PT and flexible working. Masses of examples of PT, jobshare, no standard hours apart from 10-12 and 2-4.

yunalis · 19/08/2018 20:01

What’s your degree in OP?

chickenowner · 19/08/2018 20:01

I work as a teacher 3 days a week.

No qualification burning going on here!

RabbitsAreTasty · 19/08/2018 20:02

I worked part time for ten years in a professional job. Didn't hamper me much at all. Well, if I'd been full time I probably would have gone further faster but then again I might not have actively managed my roles as much as I did as a part timer.

Consultancy / locum type work is often the easiest way to get part time work in my industry. Also as a PP said, go full time, get them to know and love you then ask to go part time.

yunalis · 19/08/2018 20:03

Wigeon a lot of departments don’t expect part time staff to work the core hours. They also have different core hours to those.

supadupapupascupa · 19/08/2018 20:03

Management Accountant jobs are impossible to find pt. bookkeeping fine. Financial accounting perhaps. The nature of the beast requires it really. We are however looking at finding a highly organised person for part time and we mentioned term time mums. Making homeworking a possibility during school holidays.

Chrisinthemorning · 19/08/2018 20:03

I work 2.5 days as a dentist. Very easy to be pt in my job. Wow I just found a positive!

SocksRock · 19/08/2018 20:03

Chartered engineer here, I've never had a problem getting part time work. One job I interviewed for while on maternity leave and they agreed to the exact hours I wanted.

Original poster
Metoodear · 19/08/2018 20:04

I have a HNC in childhood studies

I finding it impossible to get PT work in family work I already had to turn down two jobs as they won’t flex and they were at the council usually this type of work is good for PT because you manage your own case load

OP posts:
Stickerrocks · 19/08/2018 20:04

YABU. I'm a chartered accountant and worked on both flexible (x days per year) and more traditional part time contracts. I spent 3 years post grad getting my professional qualifications and employers are reluctant to let those skills go to waste. My DB is a lawyer and also works PT to get a better work/life balance.

Many employers would have an issue with staff wanting to take the summer off (I think that was what you were trying to say) because everyone wants time off in July & August and there is no reason why working mums should be given priority for the summer, Christmas etc. I only know one male colleague who wangled each August off to go on holiday for a month each year based on custom & habit and it caused a huge amount of resentment because the rest of us were sick of covering for him.

bridgetreilly · 19/08/2018 20:04

I work part-time. Started at half-time, then they offered full-time, I suggested 4 days a week (which is ideal for me), that's what I now do. Graduate job, uses my training and qualifications every day.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 19/08/2018 20:04

"We're desparate to recruit a coordinator on 20 hours, as that's all our charity can afford. It'd need to be someone qualified and experienced. It's taking forever to find someone."

Yes, the charity sector is a great choice if you want to work part time. Loads of interesting, well (ish) paid work going.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 19/08/2018 20:05

Work in financial services, not had problem with part time working. Plenty of staff in my Co work part time (including men!).

purplestrawberry2 · 19/08/2018 20:05

speakingwoman around 55% of GPs are female, though much higher proportion in younger GPs. Also a "part time" GP week is probably the same hours as most peoples full time week.

In my profession lots of part time work, doesnt seem to hinder people much.

Chrisinthemorning · 19/08/2018 20:05

DH says he works with loads of people who are FT but do a 9 day fortnight (banking)

Polarbearflavour · 19/08/2018 20:05

I know of many women who have tried to return to work part time after having children. Despite professional qualifications, they end up working retail or in admin jobs as they seem to have lots of part time roles going.

Peaspleaselouise · 19/08/2018 20:06

I work PT, equivalent of 3 days per week but over 4 days to suit school hours etc. My FTE salary is £48k (obviously then pro rate for number of hours I do).

I rarely work over these hours and my employer is pretty flexible too. I love it!

LunaLovegoodsRadishes · 19/08/2018 20:06

My job in public transport relies on it's part-timers. They are of both sexes, with a lot of education behind them. Some are working PT so they can continue their education.

Original poster
Metoodear · 19/08/2018 20:06

All 3 of my children have special needs and just wouldn’t tolerate me full time for 6 months or so while I got my feet under the table

I work PT now as a support worker but it’s a bit removed from my dream role really

OP posts:
Namechangeforthiscancershit · 19/08/2018 20:07

I’m a lawyer and work FT but have worked with people on every version of PT I can think of, and no one seems to wish they’d torn up their qualifications!

ProseccoPoppy · 19/08/2018 20:07

I didn’t/don’t want to go PT, but know plenty of people - male and female -who have. I think you seem to have met a disproportionate number of people this has been a problem for. By way of examples, from those I know: depending on the type of law lawyers can and do work part time (pensions and certain types of real estate law seem to work for example). Many teachers work part time (I know two who work 3 days a week). A doctor friend (obs/gyn specialism) was able to choose what % (25/50/75/FT) to go back on. I think you just have to pick your profession and be realistic about how pt you can be. E.g. Working 4 days a week and being a bit flexible about which day you take off - likely to work in a lot of careers. Working 2 specific days with no movement or flex - highly unlikely to work.

FruitCider · 19/08/2018 20:07

I'm a nurse and I'm desperate to drop to 10 long days in 4 weeks aka 30 hours a week. I've been interviewed for 3 jobs, I've ticked flexible on the application form and I've had to turn down 2 job offers as no-one wants a part time nurse...

idonthaveatattoo · 19/08/2018 20:08

True there are part time teaching jobs, but try getting a management position in teaching PT.

gamerwidow · 19/08/2018 20:08

I work 3 days a week and have been promoted twice in the last 2 years. I’m a data warehouse specialist in a difficult to recruit to area. At least half of our staff work part time.

speakingwoman · 19/08/2018 20:09

To be fair though OP, I recognise what you are saying and have many friends in the position you describe. I was in that position for a while too. You are definitely not making it up.