To ask why young people without children work part time?

[RosesinGranGransgarden]

Going to get flamed for this but here goes!

In every single job I've been in I've worked with people younger than me who work part time hours. I can't quite get my head around it.
In my previous job I was a retail manager. Most of the staff were young, 20-30, none had kids apart from me and one other lady. We used to have a sheet of overtime shifts up and I used to have to beg staff to work it. These are young people, not studying, none with disabilities that they disclosed to me, most were renting/ house sharing. I never understood why they didn't want to work more hours, get more money for house deposits, travelling etc.
Another job I was an admin assistant and two or three of the other admin were young women, married with no children, who worked three or four days a week. Why?! Even if their husbands earned enough to support them, shouldn't they have worked to save for maternity leave, holidays, nice car etc.
I know money doesn't motivate a lot of people but as a young, childfree person, I would have never thought to apply for a part time job, unless I could be assured there was overtime. If not for financial reasons then just out of boredom, as all my friends would have been working full time.
Currently I work 32 hours due to no afterschool club, my colleague works the same hours. She said to me yesterday she wants to drop a day as she's exhausted. She's 28?! We work in an office together. She moans about not being a homeowner, why not work more hours?
Sorry rant over.

OnlyFoolsnMothers That’s good that downtime from full time roles has been enough for you and those you know. But your experience isn’t universal, and it what works for you won’t work for many others so I don’t think you can always translate your experiences to everyone else.

I work full time and I do alright generally with a 5 day week (even though my commute was something of a pain pre-covid) but I imagine having an additional day off would still do wonders for my wellbeing. I genuinely think if we all worked less hours (in an ideal world!) and had more time to pursue things we love or just relax, we’d be happier and more balanced people - even if it doesn’t feel like we are struggling currently.

not at all- clearly you struggle with such terms as “in my opinion”

What’s the relevance of ‘your opinion’ though, when it comes to other people’s lives and strategies that work for them?

You’re not them. It doesn’t affect you. Why would anyone give a flying fuck about your opinion on the perfectly valid choices they’ve made that make them happy?

They could equally say that in ‘their opinion’ you’ve prioritised money over the things that matter. I’m sure you would interpret this as not having a clue about your situation and what’s important to you.

Well not everyone is the same as you OP obvs 🤷‍♀️

[quote RosesinGranGransgarden]@OnlyFoolsnMothers I feel like you're the only voice of reason on this thread. It's not good for young people to just cruise through, I mean, a whole day off for reading or going to the gym? That's a massively luxury that most people in their fifties don't have.[/quote]
Come on, a lot of women dont go back to full time once their kids are in school.

It's not a luxury- it's a pay off. I'm in my early 30s, work 28 hours a week and won't go back to full time now. I took on some studying but have finished that and now just enjoy having more of a life.

For me, I earn the same as I did in my last job, but for fewer hours. It's a no brainer.

Come on, a lot of women dont go back to full time once their kids are in school agreed, the question was people in their 20s with no children being part tome

Lack of ambition
Someone supporting them
Hate job
Lazy
Lots of reasons. But I've never met anyone single who could have a good life working part time, they all struggled

What’s the relevance of ‘your opinion’ though, when it comes to other people’s lives and strategies that work for them? well it’s called a debate, an exchange of experiences and views- you do know this is mn right? People pose a question, statement or opinion and it’s discussed

Did you read the quote only?

That's a massively luxury that most people in their fifties don't have.

Plenty of women in their 50s have that luxury.

@shamalidacdak

Lack of ambition Someone supporting them Hate job Lazy Lots of reasons. But I've never met anyone single who could have a good life working part time, they all struggled

waves

I've got a great life thanks! Own my flat and everything- earn more now than when I bought it 🤷‍♀️

@shamalidacdak

Why do you make just rude assumptions?

I don't have anyone supporting me.
I have ambition.
I love love love my job.
I'm definitely not lazy.

And I have a wonderful life that suits me.

You on the other hand sound overworked and like you need some time off to reevaluate things and gainer a better perspective.

I don't get this luxury thing at all.
Not working all the hours God sends is not a luxury, nor are you privileged. Unless of course you are earning a huge salary and able to work a few hours, but I wouldn't call that a privilege as someone would have had to have worked hard to get to this position.
Luxuries seem to be important to those who work ft, maybe they like treats because they have to go to work to pay for the treats
Whereas someone else might not want lots of treats or luxuries and are happy working the minimum so they can enjoy their time with family/friends/hobbies/travelling etc.

No one supporting me, I've been promoted twice since I went part time and I'm a manager.

I'm not lazy, I've worked damn hard to get to the level I'm at. I am disabled and that influences why I'm PT but the judgement from people on this thread is incredible.

You do you.

@shamalidacdak

Lack of ambition Someone supporting them Hate job Lazy Lots of reasons. But I've never met anyone single who could have a good life working part time, they all struggled

So you've never heard of mental health issues or hidden disabilities then?

Because only feckless slackers work part-time, right?

well it’s called a debate, an exchange of experiences and views

Failing to acknowledge that others value different things to you ... is not the spirit of great debate, no.

If their DH earns enough to support them then they don’t need to work full time, if he’s happy to support them. They won’t need to work extra for holidays etc if he earns a lot. So it’s understandable if they’re married to someone on a good wage

They may like spending time making means from scratch/baking etc and it’s easier for them to work part time.

If they’re sharing with friends etc then but sure how they could manage that mind but again maybe money doesn’t motivate them.

[quote 2007Millie]@icansmellburningleaves

No, we are just more aware and smarter than people like you who believe that in order to live a successful and fulfilling life you must work every hour available. [/quote]
You’ve no idea what I believe is true in order to have a successful and fulfilling life. I’ve had a long and successful legal career, having worked since I was 16. Only now in my 50’s do I work full time. I have a strong work ethic, always have had. It’s just a shame that the snowflakes are too lazy and unmotivated to do the same.

@Devlesko

I don't get this luxury thing at all. Not working all the hours God sends is not a luxury, nor are you privileged. Unless of course you are earning a huge salary and able to work a few hours, but I wouldn't call that a privilege as someone would have had to have worked hard to get to this position. Luxuries seem to be important to those who work ft, maybe they like treats because they have to go to work to pay for the treats Whereas someone else might not want lots of treats or luxuries and are happy working the minimum so they can enjoy their time with family/friends/hobbies/travelling etc.

@devlesko

Some people have to work full time to afford to live.

But you'll never get that through your skull, will you?

@icansmellburningleaves

You're wrong.

We are not motivated to do the things you do, that does not make us lazy.

It simply means we wish to use our time differently.

And quite honestly, if following your life choices turns me into someone as judgemental and rude as you, then I'll choose the opposite.

I have a strong work ethic, always have had. It’s just a shame that the snowflakes are too lazy and unmotivated to do the same.

Sorry but I really hate the term ‘snowflakes’ it seems a catch all

As soon as you bust out the word ‘snowflake’ all respect for your view has gone.

Because they are more sensible about work life balance than when I was younger. Many live with parents still so have very few bills to pay.

paska

We all have choices, and we all can choose freely.
Most people work the hours they need to for their lifestyle choice.
When will you get that through to your skull

I dont understand how working part time when you dont have kids has turned into something controversial.

It's personal choice, often or circumstance. In my sector a lot of jobs are p/t anyway even at CEO level so it won't hold me back.

There's nothing lazy about choosing to work fewer hours - you get paid less for it!

I’ve had a long and successful legal career, having worked since I was 16. Only now in my 50’s do I work full time. I have a strong work ethic, always have had. It’s just a shame that the snowflakes are too lazy and unmotivated to do the same.

I can't think of anything worse than a busy career, be it part-time or full-time.

Funny how we're all different, isn't it?

"I have a strong work ethic, always have had. It’s just a shame that the snowflakes are too lazy and unmotivated to do the same."

But you must understand that 'a strong work ethic' in one job is just 'easily exploited' or 'no boundaries' in another. There are loads of jobs where there is no reward possible for working too much. If I work over hours in my job, I won't be paid overtime because I'm salaried, and I can't get promoted either. If I was willing to work too much anyway, I would only be a mug.