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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or over sensitive re comments about PT work?

138 replies

Bluerossettes · 14/05/2023 07:49

I work three days a week, Monday - Wednesday. And I’m getting so much grief about it at work it’s really putting me off mentioning anything about it at all and in fact I try not to but sometimes I do have to, if only to remind people I can’t do something as I won’t be here.

I get some quite nasty comments about ‘lucky me’ and some groans and eye rolls about huh yeah, see you next week then.

Generally it isn’t a happy place at the moment for all sorts of reasons but it’s getting a bit much now. I have tried pointing out (in a ‘nice’ way) that part time is an option to everybody and also that I’m spending my days off with preschool children - they really aren’t relaxing days off at all! - but to no avail.

Is it worth saying something? I don’t want to come across badly but I do think I’ve been targeted a bit.

OP posts:
Pushpull · 14/05/2023 08:52

Bluerossettes · 14/05/2023 08:47

I don’t find PT hard but I find being bullied about it pretty tough going, yes.

It feels like it's gone beyond annoying and into bullying then and I would def raise it with your manager because you must dread leaving as you know it'll come up

ohfook · 14/05/2023 08:53

I'm part time and I love it. I know what you mean about jibes though and I just totally just lean in to them - any bye part-timer comments and I just reply by telling them what I'm doing with my two days off or telling them to enjoy their last two days at work. If anyone's particularly arsey I just remind them that if they think it sounds so good, they're welcome to request part time hours too.

Weallgottachangesometime · 14/05/2023 08:54

Have you told them how frustrating it is. I wonder if a blunt reply of “every week we have this discussion. Despite being part time since September I still have weekly comments about it, as though you’re just learning for the first time, It’s getting very frustrating and irritating now. Can you stop?”

I would do that and then next step would be a formal complaint to whoever is senior for them to pick it up.

I work part time and I get comments from 1 person about it (though I suspect others feel some way about it). I’ve taken the rub it in route- “yep I‘m only paid until 12:30 so I’m off to relax in the sun, maybe have a G and T in the garden. See you tomorrow”. thing is I think things like this happen more in work places where there is shit staff well-being. I work for a different employer to all the other people in the place I work (contracted) so I am happy with flexible working, great employer etc where as they are unhappy with early start time, no flexibility, shit/non existent management. That’s not my problem though. It’s theirs.
people really need to sort out their own issues with their work without being unkind to others who have managed to get a good work/life balance for themselves.

Lifeinlists · 14/05/2023 08:57

If it's a departmental issue ie someone in your department is jealous / feels overworked and is 'having an unsubtle go', then speak to your HoD.
If it's wider or you're not confident in your HoD's support, then speak to your pastoral deputy head (or whoever looks after staff welfare) or the Head. They are responsible for the culture of the whole school, including the staff.

This really isn't OK. Don't justify anything as that just feeds the nasty remarks. The fact you work part time is none of their business. Having taught part time, I put in plenty more hours than my salary indicated!

ohfook · 14/05/2023 08:57

Endlesssummer2022 · 14/05/2023 08:40

I do find some PT workers are highly fixated on their contracted hours in ways FT aren’t. For example there are a couple of job sharers who are very ‘I only work Monday to 1pm Wednesday when I handover’. They won’t work an hour over. However, although it’s not ideal you’ll see the FT workers often going past 5/6pm or logging in again later after they’ve done school pick ups etc. Therefore the PT gets more pay per hour. But maybe it’s just a cultural thing in my organisation.

I often find pt workers have to protect their working hours in a way ft workers don't otherwise they're just given the same workload but with less pay and less time in which to complete it.

Original poster
Bluerossettes · 14/05/2023 09:00

@Weallgottachangesometime i may well try that.

OP posts:
GuestStars · 14/05/2023 09:07

I’m a bit jealous of my 2 friends who work 4 days a week and have school-aged DC and no other responsibility on the day off.

I like my job and wouldn’t want to go part time or drop my salary, but I do love the idea of doing absolutely nothing every Monday 😂

DontMakeMeShushYou · 14/05/2023 09:08

Endlesssummer2022 · 14/05/2023 08:40

I do find some PT workers are highly fixated on their contracted hours in ways FT aren’t. For example there are a couple of job sharers who are very ‘I only work Monday to 1pm Wednesday when I handover’. They won’t work an hour over. However, although it’s not ideal you’ll see the FT workers often going past 5/6pm or logging in again later after they’ve done school pick ups etc. Therefore the PT gets more pay per hour. But maybe it’s just a cultural thing in my organisation.

Well it isn't the part time workers' fault if the full-time workers are stupid enough to do unpaid overtime. The PT worker isn't getting more pay per hour. They are getting the correct pay per hour. The FT workers are willingly doing some work for free and management are only too happy to exploit that. No problem if you're happy with that, but it sounds as though you aren't in which case you need to work on your weak boundaries.

LincolnshireYellowBelly · 14/05/2023 09:10

Bluerossettes · 14/05/2023 08:13

The thing is, this has been going on for nearly a year now, and I’ve done the normal things of - yes but the pay is less, you can request part time too, it is really nice but my days ‘off’ are exhausting … it makes no difference.

If it’s going to stop I’d need to escalate it but I don’t know if it’s worth it.

I would absolutely love to be part time, but I can’t understand such mean and catty comments.
I really wouldn’t entertain the comments by replying back to them and justifying your part time hours. They are just jealous of you. X

starfishmummy · 14/05/2023 09:13

I think its fairly common for full time workers to make comments about part timers. I was a part time worker years ago and it was the same then. Like someone else has suggested I just used to say that my reduced hours came with a reduced salary.

Whatt · 14/05/2023 09:14

They are jealous. Simple as.
I get it aswell.

EsmeSusanOgg · 14/05/2023 09:20

ohfook · 14/05/2023 08:57

I often find pt workers have to protect their working hours in a way ft workers don't otherwise they're just given the same workload but with less pay and less time in which to complete it.

Show quote history

This 100%.

Greenfairydust · 14/05/2023 09:21

It sounds like these people are jealous of you. It is not OK to go on about your work pattern for a year and try to make you feel like you are doing something wrong.

The company hired you/agreed on a part-time contract so that is ultimately the company's decision.

Where is your manager in all this? they should be supporting you. They should have shut this down by now by reminding these people that this is your agreed work pattern and that any further negative comments on this will not be tolerated and will be seen as bullying if they continue and that the people making the comments being disciplined.

It is unlawful for organisations to treat part-time workers less favourably. So management should not just stand by while you are constantly being put down by your colleagues.

Raise this with your manager and copy HR.

As a manager myself I would like to know and I would immediately speak to the people who are doing this to remind them that their comments are not appropriate.

Lcb123 · 14/05/2023 09:21

I will admit to being jealous of those working part time, totally appreciate they earn less but in most cases there’s a partner making up the difference. But I’d never say anything to someone!

burnoutbabe · 14/05/2023 09:23

I am one day a week in a senior role. Anyone who says I am jammy when I say I am off the other days I just say your welcome to do the same, only Downside is 1/5 of the normal pay.

Or I say I am practicing for retirement.

I am just trying to be aware that I am lucky to afford it and not rub that in much.

Endlesssummer2022 · 14/05/2023 09:23

DontMakeMeShushYou · 14/05/2023 09:08

Well it isn't the part time workers' fault if the full-time workers are stupid enough to do unpaid overtime. The PT worker isn't getting more pay per hour. They are getting the correct pay per hour. The FT workers are willingly doing some work for free and management are only too happy to exploit that. No problem if you're happy with that, but it sounds as though you aren't in which case you need to work on your weak boundaries.

Show quote history

Was there a need to be so aggressive? I was just stating what I see at my workplace in relation to some PTs. I wasn’t attacking PT.

And neither do I have ‘weak boundaries’. I’m in the senior leadership team on 6 figures so to be honest eyebrows would be raised if I didn’t work long hours sometimes to ensure specific deadlines are met. Where I work although it’s not expected to always be working over hours, it’s expected that from time to time you work longer to get projects over the line.

MammaTo · 14/05/2023 09:26

I wouldn’t mention it to line manager I’d just say “yeah less time I have to spend with you” and leave it at that.

Spendonsend · 14/05/2023 09:30

Endlesssummer2022 · 14/05/2023 08:40

I do find some PT workers are highly fixated on their contracted hours in ways FT aren’t. For example there are a couple of job sharers who are very ‘I only work Monday to 1pm Wednesday when I handover’. They won’t work an hour over. However, although it’s not ideal you’ll see the FT workers often going past 5/6pm or logging in again later after they’ve done school pick ups etc. Therefore the PT gets more pay per hour. But maybe it’s just a cultural thing in my organisation.

The flip side of this is a lot of PT people are expected to be more efficient in their PT hours. I remember going down to 3 days a weeek in my part time job. It was project based and I didnt lose any projects or get longer timescales. I just had to work more intensively. I remember thinking 'gosh these full timers really do spend so much time in pointless meetings, chatting round the water cooler and messing things up when they are sleepy in the late afternoon' which included me just months beforehand!

TallerThanAverage · 14/05/2023 09:30

Bluerossettes · 14/05/2023 08:07

It really makes no difference. I have told them I earn less than I did at 25 than now (I’m nearly 43) and I still get the jibes.

Own it, reply with ‘yes it’s great’

Antisocialfluffmonster · 14/05/2023 09:31

I work with flexible hours. Some people in my company work condensed ours so only do 4 days. They are still doing the same amount of work though!

it’s different for folks like me when the work can be done at any time versus something like being a teacher where there are set times, but if you are paid a set amount to do a specific job and you do it, it’s no one else’s business.

there was a time when I would have loved part time, but it’s not an option with my career, so we all have individual agency to do what’s best for ourselves. You make your choice and live with it.

I would say though, how on earth can anyone whine about a part time teacher when you probably do full time hours with marking and prep work anyway, you just don’t get paid for it?

just ignore them, if they want to be like that they can be, if it goes to far start recoding incidents and report as bullying, but keep your head high and do what works for your family

declutteringmymind · 14/05/2023 09:34

So you need to write it all down just in case it escalates.

I work the same and as I leave on a Wednesday I get similar remarks.

Usually it's a pointed 'Have a nice weekend'

I reply 'will do, you too!'

Just own it and they'll get over it.

So when they say see you next week just say something like 'have a good week' or 'yes see you then' in a cheery way.

Or just slope off whic is what I do.

TallerThanAverage · 14/05/2023 09:36

Every Wednesday I would gleefully leave with have a nice weekend, see you Monday

Bluebells1970 · 14/05/2023 09:39

DH and I run our own business, and I'm in the office from 8.30am to around 3.30pm and get "part time" comments all the time from our staff. I just smile and say yes lucky me, even though I cram a 50 hour week into the time I'm there. One of these days I'm going to comment that it's not my fault that I'm productive with my time.

Bedtimemode · 14/05/2023 09:42

I used to get this all the time, there was also an assumption that I would work all the bank holidays as I was "off" the rest of the time anyway! I used to tell them I came to work for a rest. I also had one woman ask "If I get pregnant, does that mean I get a year off work too?" 🙃

I would do as people have suggested and lean into it with a few comments about day time TV and naps. They obviously have no idea and aren't listening to you anyway so rub it in 😉

Endlesssummer2022 · 14/05/2023 09:42

Spendonsend · 14/05/2023 09:30

The flip side of this is a lot of PT people are expected to be more efficient in their PT hours. I remember going down to 3 days a weeek in my part time job. It was project based and I didnt lose any projects or get longer timescales. I just had to work more intensively. I remember thinking 'gosh these full timers really do spend so much time in pointless meetings, chatting round the water cooler and messing things up when they are sleepy in the late afternoon' which included me just months beforehand!

Show quote history

Yes you are right about efficiency. Many years ago there was a guy who always seemed to be missing bedtime with kids because he was sooooo busy, however, he’d faff for much of the day and then only really start getting his head down later in the day. He could have finished earlier if he tried.