Thinking it's hard work for not much reward?

[boymama82]

I'm looking to go back to work. Our boys are 2 and a half and 18 months. My partner works 40 hours over 3 days and I'm looking to work on his days off. The only jobs that I can find seem to be care jobs, around £10-11ph.

We claim UC as my partners salary is £21k, we own our home outright. Am I right in thinking that UC take 55p of each £1 I earn? So if I do 12 hours at £10ph I'll get £54? It seems a lot of work for little reward! Especially working in challenging situations, I.e changing catheters and stoma's etc.

There would also be contributions to your pension, work experience, fewer employment gaps, and references. Not to mention a sense of achievement and time spent outside the home.
Personally, I would consider an extra £54 well worth it. And you can't depend on UC, it could be changed or withdrawn by a future government (or even this one).

so for 2 shifts you'll get £108.

That's an additional £468 a month income into the house - that's a weekend away for you all, the cost of the food shop plus extra. A years car insurance paid within a month.

So, he works 40 hours over 3 days, you could also work 40 hours over 3 days and get one day off together each week.

40 hours x £11ph is £440 per week, and 0.45 of that (after the deduction) puts you at £200p/w better off. I can’t be more accurate because I don’t know whether UC deductions are made pre/post-tax and whether you’d be making pension contributions or any commute costs etc but, to me, that definitely seems worth it (especially with no childcare costs at all). Especially when you factor in your financial independence, that you’d likely progress onto a higher pay grade and because salaries are likely to rise faster than UC will.

You own your own house ...

Definitely look at it as an increase in disposable income. If you're currently covering all your bills etc but only have £100 pm to spend/save as you wish, an extra £400 pm will mean that this is all extra money, so a significant increase in your disposable income.

Plus pension contributions, references, etc. It's not just for now but a potential stepping stone in the future.

You could do extra qualifications or go for a manager/supervisors role, or just not have a gap in your employment record.

Another advantage will be that, while you're at work, your DP will be in sole charge of DC, so he will be parenting equally, you're less likely to be the 'default parent' so when they're at school, he'll be doing some of the pick ups, drop offs, sick days etc when you're at work, instead of it always being your responsibility.

But you will be better off financially month to month, not to mention pension contributions etc, and a reduced reliance on the state.

Judging by the announcements in yesterdays budget the carrots are being dangled to get people back into work, the stick will soon follow.

It will be better to get ahead of the curve and get back into work now, rather than waiting till you are pushed and have to take anything you can get.

Would you have to pay tax on the 45% extra you would get?

Care work is rubbish money. How about factory/ warehouse work?
I work weekends in a warehouse and with the shift allowance the pay is over £14 per hour and not a bad job, boring but it's OK.

Surely it's worth it for your own sanity and prospects.

If your partner only works 3 days then I would definitely be looking at working if I were you. How brilliant that your boys can have one on one time with each of you separately as well as time together as a family of 4 - in families I know that have done this it's been really positive for both parents.

Op what experience and skills do you have and which area do you live In?
I'm wondering why there is only care work available - there's lots of remote/ online stuff these days, distribution jobs, hospitality and have you tried supermarkets?

You wouldn’t pay tax if your earnings stay below the personal allowance which is around £1k per month.

Honestly I work in insurance. Every firm I know is desperate for people just to answer the phones. Remote/flexible etc. Starting pay is £21k plus. I would think a bit wider and look at careers sections of some decent size companies to see what you can do from home.

@FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb that sounds amazing how do I apply??

You need to see what the work allowance is for your UC claim. So its your monthly take home minus your work allowance. What ever is left they take 0.55p from your UC payment.

Example
Earn £500
Uc £1000. Work allowance £450.

500-450=50. 50x0.55= 27.50
1000-27.50 = 927.50.

Uc 927.50 + earnings £500 = take home £1472.50.

£472.50 better off than the flat claim of uc. Obviously these are rounded numbers for uc payments and take home pay, but the way it works is the same.

You would have the £10 per hour and then the 55p would be reduced from your UC. You will also have your work allowance and then your partner’s wages.

you’re best off doing a benefits calculator with your hypothetical new wage added in. That will give you a better idea.
You will also be able to claim childcare costs providing you are both earning.

£21,000 per annum is between £10 and £11 pounds an hour. (www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk)

Op haven't you posted this before?!

I think its always sad if people dont bother helping themselves because its easier to claim. You should be working, not taking benefits.

Am I right in thinking that UC take 55p of each £1 I earn?

It sounds like it's the way you're looking at it that might be putting you off.

UC aren't taking your earnings from you - your benefit just reduces to reflect the fact you're able to earn more and therefore don't need quite so much in the way of benefits.

I get that it works out the same financially, but several years in work will increase your earning power in the future versus several more years on benefits.

It sounds like you don't really want to work in the care industry, so what I would be doing personally is looking for a career that actually does motivate you to the point where it's worth going through that annoying tapering period to get off benefits, knowing that you're retraining so that you can increase your salary far beyond what UC would pay in the future.

You earn about £300 a month before UC take any deductions. Then i believe its 63p in the £

If you're going to be better off in work than not then yes, do it, but, if you are going to do care work then an agency may be better as you pick and choose your shifts to suit you, most care homes or home care will want you available when they need you to fill the rota and you might find that you're scheduled to work when you can't, even if you've told them your availability.
But yes, care work is a lot of hard work for not a lot in return if I'm honest, but that is the case if you're on UC or not.