to feel stuck in a rut??

[llynnnn]

I guess I'm feeling a bit down at the mo and feel like life is just passing me by and i have no opportunities to change.
I work part time and have an 18mth dd. I really don't like my job anymore. I've been there for 7 years now and before i had dd and worked full time i felt like a well respected member of staff, now i only work part time I feel like they would rather me not work there anymore as they could probably pay someone the same as they do me to do my job full time. Also my dh works for the same company and has been having a few issues to do with his work and them trying to change his hours. They also seem to be taking this out on me too, making snide comments about whether we are happy now etc! as far as i see it, dh's issues at work are his business and nothing to do with me!

I would love a new job but cant find a part time one for the same money. We really cant affiord for me to take a pay cut as we are barely scrapping by at the mo! I cant talk to dh about this as I dont want him to think its his fault i feel down at work!

Do other part time workers feel they are treated differently than full timers? I work just as hard (if not harder than some) as I'm trying to fit all my work into 3 days!

Sorry for ranting!

Ooh you're taking a bit of a risk Lynn. Some one will be on here in a minute telling you to go full-time.

Sounds to me like you could do with a new job. Wouldn't do any harm to look for one and see what's out there, would it?

Alternatively you could get some more time out with another maternity leave! - Although having another baby isn't going to do your financial situation any favours.

Let's think about this:-

(a) Endure current job and try to make the best out of it by maybe talking to line manager and other team members, demonstrating commitment, part-time hours not part-time mentality yadda yadda yadda

(b) Get a new parttime job which sounds like it will involve a lot of looking around and you could be waiting years. There'll be knock on effects on your morale in your current job too.

(c) Give up work which sounds like it will involve downsizing

(d) Get a new full-time job which might fix the scraping by issue, but would involve more organisation

(e) Up your hours to full-time in your current firm, which might fix the perception issues and the scraping by issue, but would involve more organisation.

My vote would be for (e) but that's me, I think.

I think you are just down at the mo. I wouldn't for for option (e) because you will then feel guilty for leaving dd-you can't win can you.

I would take option (a) and see what their response is, if it's crappy then you know they wouldn't be worth option (e) IMO.

I wouldn't go for option E either, if you are miserable there on part-time hours, you'll only be doubly miserable on full-time ones.

I had something similar in my job. After i had DS1 I went back full-time but after DS2 I only wanted part time hours. I couldn't go back to my old job so they found me a new one in another department at two days a week. I stuck it for about a year. I felt like a second class citizen for being part time. I was bored and asked every single time I was in for more responsiblilty, training on new things but I didn't get anything even though they trained 5 new full time people in the time I was there (all of whom left) In the end I quit and stayed home full time. It meant a serious budget cut but I was so much happier.

Hope you find a solution.

A lot of women go in for complete career change after childbirth.

Yes they do - which is why it is very lonely here at my age - only lots of (mostly tubby and balding) men wittering on about their sports cars and their golf - yawn - come and join - s'fun really.

Very lonely where at your age, Quattro?

I have to admit to finally being ground down by my 3-day job and the feelings that I wasn't contributing/a valuable part of the firm (even though I had been there for 11 years). I resigned last month and have been home since and loving being out of such a negative, stressful situation.

I have to say that I found the exact same situation as you - no one else would hire me (even within the same organisation) let alone externally and I realised that I was trapped in the role that I was doing. I tried option A above for 8 months until I could stand it no longer and went for option C. The thought of going full time for a firm that I wasn't overly happy with was not an option for me.

Good luck with everything and I hope it works out. I am looking at finding another job that is more child/family friendly - even if it involves re-training.

erm, in private practice (prefer not to say where) at the ripe old age of 40

private law practice?
private medical practice?
private chiropractice?
private piano practice?

This could be me!

I have worked at the same company for nearly 10 years. Been part tme for 19 months and since then have felt very side lined. Meetings on days I am not there with no one telling me what was discussed, not given more responsibility when I ask, taking ages to get training completed almost as though they don't want me to finish it [hmmm], less challenging work. The list is endless. I am definately of the opinion that I am treated differently to full time workers.

I have no suggestions really. I dont know about you but I have the added difficulty that my work is so specialised that I can't get a job else where with any ease, let alone one with the same hours. I really struggle with the thought of walking away from my job and taking a less demanding and possibly more menial job and then in 10 years time when the children no longer need me in the same way looking around and wandering what could have been.

law

for my sins

thanks for all your replies. I still feel pants today and dd is playing up and tantruming left, right and centre which REALLY isn't helping!!
I just don't know what to do for the best. I've been looking for a new job but have been really struggling to find something that pays the same as my current crappy job!
The thought of working full-time and not seeing dd all week doesnt appeal at all (although if she doesnt cheer up today I might change my mind!!)

Sucks how we have the legal right to flexible/part-time work but the employers don't want to know regardless of our commitment/hard work!

Someone out there must work for a good company that appreciates ALL workers regardless of how many hours they work???

It will all work out, you'll see.