Aibu to throw away my career

[mumofthreehundred]

I currently am employed by a company that I have worked for for 15 years. Trouble is for the last 5 years I've really not enjoyed working there. In fact I dread each day and cry at my desk at least a few times a week. Great benefits and pay is good (in theory). They let me work 4 days a week and that's as part time as I'm allowed. I end up doing hours in evening and starting early each day.

I also have 3 children under four including a set of surprise twins. Although I do get help with childcare (from my mum in law one day a week) I still pay loads (left with 500 quid after childcare). When my son starts school, I'm going to need to add holiday cover and after school and breakfast club. I've worked out that our total outgoings vs income is around £150 left.

I've seen a job advertised that is in a school and term time only that is approx 1/6th of my current salary! It doesn't even hit national insurance thresholds. It's only 10 hours a week!

I did the maths again and because I'd need only a childminder one x1 morning and all of school holidays off. Doing the income verses outgoings, I'd have £110 left each month. I may even qualify for some tax credits to add to that.

Am I missing something here? Yes it's scary on just one salary? I am throwing away a career but it's something I have zero desire to stay in. I'd get to spend more time with kids. Do every school pick off and drop off. I'm starting a career in a sector I'm very interested in.

Cons are; I am missing national insurance payments. What if my husband has issues with his job? What if I got sick and couldn't work? What if I hate my new job?

We have finally come to terms with the fact short of a lottery win, we won't be moving house anytime soon. And I'd rather be happy in life than say "I've got a better garden" or "I've got a spare room".

Other potential issues are: will I find someone to mind children one session a week (term time only)? My notice period is 2 months and the job needs you to start ASAP.

This is just in theory as I've not even been shortlisted yet!

I would also think about what kind of work you would love to do and look for those sorts of jobs. I'm assuming it isn't a low level school admin job forever. Many sectors offer flexible working. If your dh has a job that will offer flexible working, then together it would be much easier to cover that time together rather than you taking a very part time low paid position. I have a career where I work 3 days a week and make more than 1400 a month (but I also have a lot of specialised qualifications and it's a very niche field - I don't intend to stay part time forever though, I've only just come back from mat leave). But if you can find a job you love (for the job, not the hours) and then negotiate flexible working once you've been made an offer, you'll be in a much stronger position long term.

I think I would be suited to school jobs though. I'm not only doing it for the hours like some!

I guess you cannot say that though! Nobody will believe you anyway it seems. How frustrating!

What else attracts people to school jobs? Other than the nice working environment, desire to make a difference and being more family friendly. What is wrong with wanting an interesting job that could open doors in larger schools etc?

You definitely feel the term-time role is a good fit and would suit you, I suppose the question that the head would ask is what you are offering THEM in terms of qualifications and experience over someone else?

Have you said what the role is? How does your skill set match the person spec? Do you have SIMS or a school business qualification etc?

I wouldn't worry too much about the loss of NI. You can always make additional contributions later when your circumstances change. You won't always have three pre-school children!

I work in a school and 10 hours on low pay will likely be a tough job. Probably very little training will be provided. You will be bottom of the pile. However, you could get lucky and it will be interesting. Have you got any experience working in schools or with children?

I have no experience of school job.

I have children myself and have started volunteering in a children's club (not school).

I meet the education requirements of the job and I have many many transferable skills that I have obtained in my previous roles.

It's an admin job in a school office.

If you need experience, how on earth do you start off in this sector?!

If it’s an admin job in a school, volunteering in a children’s club isn’t terribly relevant.

the nice working environment

• there's no guarantee you'll get one of these.

I strongly suspect they will think you are overqualified for the job, however unfair that may seem.

I also think that you would be bored out of your mind within 3 days. Boredom is a different kind of stress.

Start asking around family and friends, tell everyone you met you're looking for a career change, put some effort into the job search.

desire to make a difference
I'm not convinced school admin would necessarily fulfil this desire.

Oh actually a school admin job might be quite nice depending on the other staff and whether you would be parent facing (avoid).

Depending on hours, I'd imagine it would be very competitive. Why don't you go for it then have this conversation if offered the job.

As far as I know you will still be eligible for Nat Ins payments ,if you have children under 12 to care for .(These will go on your record) so will be as if you were still working).Have a look on govt sites or phone their helpline to check.Hope this is of help to you

If you claim child benefit at present

What do you currently do? Is there any scope to retrain or move within the company?

Have you looked at university admin jobs? Well paid, long holidays, a bit flexible (can often do things from home). You would have great experience for medical or science departments and you can take courses that interest you for free, as staff. Our admin team (some work 3 days) are invaluable and paid similarly to the post docs.

"I need to take home probably £1300 in order to make this work... that's for a 4x days a week job. I pay over 800 of that our in childcare (I've taken off the childcare vouchers I get, in reality the nursery bill is over a grand)"

You need to earn £1300 because you pay £800 in childcare. So you could actually earn only £500 If you had a job that did not require any childcare.

I used to earn £400 a month working 5 hours in the evening Fri, Sat, Sun in a local convenience store (it would be more now with minimum wage) no tax or childcare to pay (no tax due to low earning).

Are you available on your husbands childcare day, MILs day , evenings and weekends? If so I think retail, hospitality or care work (based around your availability) would be a good option.

I am in a similar situation. As have a 4 year old about to start school and feel like giving up work or finding a part time job. I work 4 days as well, I have a 4 year old and a 16 month old and my childcare costs will increase when she starts school using after school and holiday clubs. Won't make loads of difference but a bit and won't be coming out with a lot more way month working. And it will be a struggle sorting out drops off and picks ups. As will have to do nursery and school rather than just nursery for both. At the moment I am busy and don't have a lot of spare time to do housework etc.
I just can't decide if I would be better off leaving work or not. My childcare bill isn't as high as your as dont have twins so I do come out with a reasonable amount after childcare.
I also might have less help from grandparents shortly after my eldest starts school as they may be moving so that is something else I need to consider.
It's not easy but I think you.should go for it as 3 young children is hard I guess as I find 2.hard.

Tax credits don't exist anymore, it's Universal Credit.

Is the child benefit paid to you? If so, this covers NI contributions until your youngest is 12.

I think you should go for it as you are so unhappy in your current job. No job is worth crying and affecting your mental health over. Good luck!

You say you have scientific maths type job now. Do you enjoy science have you any lab baised experances?

I ask as as school science technicians are so hard to come by, even without current lab experience you may get a job with school hours term time. Look into it if it's something your interested in. Although the pay is basic the job is certainly interesting.

I would look for a new job but I wouldn't throw your current one away for a low paid 10 hours a week term time job. You need a professional role that suits you.

What does your dh say? How is his job? Is it secure? Is he happy with conditions? Are there changes he can make to become part time or more flexible, and make some childcare savings?

I would never suggest throwing away a job to rely so heavily on a spouses job. That is a crazy move to make.

Can you take some leave and then plan proactively to make a change.

Your kids won't be young forever. Don't give up your future financial security for temporary discomfort. Find another job if you want but look upwards... You need a pension in the future, you'll need a good job if something were to happen to your husband, you'll have more money when the kids are old enough not to need childcare anymore and by then you'll be very comfortable because you'll be on a good income with payrises etc.

You'll regret throwing away your future comfort and opportunities for something which in the long term, provides neither.

I see what people are saying and thanks for all the good advice.

Would working in school admin really not lead to a decent salary with pension etc? I had a relative become a business manager in a large secondary. Pretty sure she earned really good money.

My current job really isn't an option because it's not a career I want. I've made a mistake and gone down the wrong path. So I need to pick up a new career whatever it will be...

Is a career break really "career suicide" or can you get it back after a few years?

It depends on your role-being business manager and part of SLT for 30 years in a large secondary is going to pay pretty well but there aren’t too many of those around.

OP, I understand you very well. My childcare bill is around £2.5K / month , it is pretty much the cheapest around and I am a single parent. I am also in a STEM area, where the expectations of workplace presence / hours worked are set with a reference basis to 95% male workforce (almost exclusively with sahm partners). It just makes no financial sense to work.

The business manager I know moved across from senior teacher in another school.

It might lead to a good salary eventually. If you start off there it could lead to business management/pa school jobs. There are those kind of roles in private schools too. I started off doing playgroup cover. I have no desire to teach, but I am now an experienced ta who tutors in the evenings. I may return to my very niche professional career one day, as the skills I have from it do not date.
I would advise going for the job and also seeing if you can also make a little more money on the side somewhere.