To not go full time?

[WhoWants2Know]

Work have offered me a chance to increase my working week from 4 to 5 days. 8 hour work days, with an hour commute each way. It would allow me to take on a bit more of a type of work I enjoy, but there doesn't seem to be much scope for advancement.

When I calculate the effect on my finances, it turns out that adding an extra day each week would only leave me £73 better off each month.

Unfortunately there's a policy that says people at my work base aren't allowed to work from home, so I can't reduce commuting costs. (It's a shame, as most people in my role across the country do work from home)

Overall I have mixed feelings about my job. I have great days and days where I come home tearful and frustrated. Some of my colleagues do drive me nuts and I don't know if being with them all the time would help or hinder things.

I keep going back and forth and don't know what to choose. Kids are in school and don't need me home as much, but it's nice to have a day to get on top of laundry, etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

No way would I do that! Keep your day off.

Don't do it. Not worth it whatsoever.

The extra money goes in higher tax, more fuel, higher car insurance.

No way. I work 4 days a week and it will be a cold day in hell when I give it up. I have a child at primary school and a toddler at private nursery who I obviously love spending my day off with but I am living for the day she goes to school and I have a whole lovely day to myself 😁 And being able to do the school runs one day a week too (I’m a teacher myself the other 4 days so can’t do any other school drop offs/pick ups!)

Don't do it, I just did, (although for a lot more than £73 more a month). I now work full time, struggle to get all the laundry done, clean on my days off, and, despite my demanding, end up making dinner (or having to help make dinner) every night. The money makes us more secure but I'm sick of it!

I can’t think of one reason to do it . Work life balance is everything
you can’t put a price on that

No, not by that much, and commuting costs are going to be (at most) the same per day. Something doesn’t add up.

Could you share your numbers? That doesn’t make much sense; if you are on the minimum wage tax can’t be so much, and if you are more the nett amount should be higher.

I also don't think the maths adds up.

Sure, work whatever hours you like. But make sure you've done your calculations right first.

I'm glad nobody is saying I'm crazy. I was initially so excited about the opportunity, but then I used a calculator to work out my take home pay...

I do sometimes get frustrated and tearful at work, and people have left because of the atmosphere. There are a couple of people who can be challenging. Any time you try to do anything new or have an idea, someone will be along to make sure it doesn't work.

Example: a colleague had a big birthday, and I got her a little crown with twinkle lights on it to wear for the day. Another colleague said she had better turn it off in case anyone had photosensitive epilepsy.

No way in hell would I be doing that!

Are you sure on the maths? Even paying for an extra nursery day and going up a pension contribution band to a higher % I’d get an extra £300 a month if I went back full time. I decided that wasn’t enough so I definitely wouldn’t do it for £70.

Example: a colleague had a big birthday, and I got her a little crown with twinkle lights on it to wear for the day. Another colleague said she had better turn it off in case anyone had photosensitive epilepsy.

Thats a lovely idea from you and a weird response from your colleague….guess they tend to suck the fun out a room?!

Don't do it OP! A day to yourself every week to get stuff done while the kids are at school is worth more than £70 IMO.

Nah I absolutely would not bother. If you really enjoyed your job and thought it would help your career then maybe, but seeing as your job leaves you in tears sometimes AND you’re not going to be making decent money out of increasing your hours, I wouldn’t.

God no! For £73 a month? Even for a job I adored, with huge scope for progression, I'd struggle to justify that.

If your calculations are correct, then no way would I be doing the extra day.

However, what i would do is look around for a better full time job with a shorter commute or more flexibility to wfh. Quite simply, I wanted a full time pension on my retirement.

I've seen too many things women - and it's always the women- who end up with part time rubbish pensions in their older age

I am sure on the maths. Before tax, adding an extra day each week would make me about £300 better off each month. But when you calculate the effect on tax, NI, and pension, that eats quite a lot. Then add the extra fuel and higher insurance premiums because the mileage is higher.

You’re on £8.70 per hour?

Sounds awful at your job and reminds me so much of my old job, nobody appreciated any ideas, fun and suggestions unlike this new job I have, the manager is down to earth and firm at the same time, they always have compliment boards up in the staffroom so that everyone has a turn being thanked and complimented on their hard work, the staffroom gets decorated with balloons etc whenever a staff has a birthday etc, boxes if chocolates and snacks are randomly put out on occasions with a lovely note from the manager thanking staff for all they do and how proud she is of them and we do likewise for her. I hope in the future if things get too bad you can find a better job where people appreciate you as you deserve. I'm glad I left my last dead end Jib, that place caused me many years, unannounced overtime and stress everyday, don't allow this to happen to you ❤️

Absolutely I would stay PT, wouldn’t give my day off/added stress up for £73 extra! No way!

I'm still 4 days per week OP and DS is 16 now .

It's a nice balance and as I do 30 hrs over 4 days I'm only losing 5 hrs salary- all of which would be taxed at higher rate as I live in Scotland where it kicks in at a lower amount.

Use your day off to update your CV and see what else there is around- it doesn't sound like a great work environment and it's meant to be an employees market at the minute.

My thoughts exactly it's not worth it x

I work 4 days a week and my boss is constantly trying to get me to go to 5 days. Not happening. My income would increase significantly but I value my day off too much. It’s work life balance for me and my kids are in secondary and university

No, I'm not on 8.70 per hour. I'm rounding a little bit instead of putting my exact salary on an Internet forum. That's why I wrote "about £300"