Or over sensitive re comments about PT work?

[Bluerossettes]

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.

What's lucky is having the choice. Being able to work full time and afford childcare isn't lucky if you want a part time job but can't get one. Being a SAHM isn't lucky if you've had to do it because your DC needs a full time carer. Being part time isn't lucky if you wanted a full time job but couldn't afford childcare.

I am lucky in all sorts of ways.

I am healthy. I have a healthy child.

I have the choice re part time work.

Many others I won’t list here. It doesn’t mean I or anyone should have to have snide comments relating to that luck.

I really don't think that I was aggressive in any way but hey ho.

I'm also in a senior leadership role in my organisation and I don't allow this to go on with my staff. No-one works over hours in my team and it isn't a 'culture' I would support in any way. I encourage my team to have strong boundaries between work and their actual life. If anyone on my team had to work longer hours to complete a project then that time would be given back to them in the form of flexi hours so they wouldn't lose out overall. If someone was choosing to work longer hours than they are contracted to do, I would be looking to see what support they require to prevent that.

Still can't see anything snide or shitty. Just tell us what they've said. Or is that it? Because you still just sound over sensitive to me.

Likewise!

I'd confront them: I don't know what your problem with pt is, and frankly I don't care. These comments have been made for x months and the next person who makes one will have an official complaint made against them.

You have to tackle it first.
Just tell them to stop with the comments.
If it continues then escalate.
Tbh I doubt your LM will be thrilled to get involved in petty stuff like this.
I found a big smile and "aaaaah the weekend starts now" shut them up!!

@electriclight because you don’t want to.

You want this thread to be me angrily reacting to a jokey comment, and you’re pretty fixed in that view.

@WhutWhutWhut i don’t think it is particularly petty to be honest. It’s really making me uncomfortable, and despite what some have decided I’m really not normally one to overreact to such things. I’ve shrugged it off for ages but nine months later it is really starting to shift from annoying to being quite targeted. I shouldn’t have to be watching every word I say to colleagues.

You need to change your mentality about your Thursday and Friday before you can change it of those around you...
You are not having a "day off" on Thursday and Friday any more than your colleagues have a "day off" on Saturday and Sunday.
They are not "days off" they are NON-WORKING DAYS.
(And also unpaid!)
I see you have already mentioned the pay... I got called out for being part time and I replied with "part time pay" which made them stop and think... [Although it is much more than 60% take home after tax etc... going from 0.5 to full time definitely did NOT double may take home pay!]
To be honest I found working part time was the worst of both worlds...

You can respond with a comment or you can ignore it. You should NOT let it get to you so much.

Well no, because I haven't claimed anything to be fact here. That was just you.

I’ve had people bully me in a workplace using nice words at the wrong time and in a not nice way.

oh is that you off home early then? This was back when I spent a week in a different office and a week at home, i arrived on time on Monday, worked late and early all week didn’t take endless lunches, didn’t indulge in workplace yoga which and left early afternoon on a Friday for the 6 hour drive home.

there was a concerted effort by the younger colleagues and the trendy boss to put me in my place for having the absolute audacity to take a senior job when I was disabled widow with two kids. It was relentless and the boss spurred them on. I ended up asking for a demotion and went back to my old job. It wasn’t just me they did it to, and what can you say, they were only saying nice things?

the words themselves don’t have to be abusive for the conversation. To be abusive

The poster is the one hearing these comments and the context and the way they are said and what body language accompanies it. So she is best placed to know if they are snide and meant as being snide. IMO.

It is sad to see that this sort of 'culture' is still around. When I started work (late seventies) 'part-timer' was a sort of tongue-in-the-cheek insult thrown at anyone who left work a little early, did not work the full five days a week (or whatever the general shift pattern was). It was as if anyone who worked part-time hours really did not need to go out to work, and the attitude was prevalent amongst women, towards women.

Working patterns have changed. For example, many people will have several part time jobs, and , according to Carers UK, about 60% of unpaid carers are women. Many part-time employees are working (paid or unpaid) many more hours than an individual with just one full time position It is such a shame that attitudes towards part time staff have not kept pace with the times.

Ignore these people. Their comments show their lack of awareness.

As an agency worker I get this a lot.
I know they feel bitter as they are doing 7.30AM-6PM most days but they are also getting paid more because of it. People have their own reasons for working part time. For me, it's just to fill a gap before a better role comes in and my health isn't the best to work crazy long hours in a nursery. Or for others it's caring commitments or kids. Don't know why people have to get so bitter.

I'd say things like " yep aren't I lucky!", "less time seeing your miserable face!", "you should try it, you'd be much less grumpy!" etc. But then I am a massive windup merchant

This ispetty and you need to be firmer and shut them down.Stern "Can you stop with the comments" or laugh and go " Yeah lucky me"
If either of those don't work go to your LM.
You can't control other people just to make yourself feel comfortable.
"I'm not available Friday"
If they groan, just repeat sternly.
Nothing sounds nasty at all just grumbling

No need to announce you are leaving or see you next week to people you don't like just go!

You are claiming just as much as I am! Your weaker than weak argument is becoming ridiculous.

I haven't made an argument, so you're going to have to do better than I'm rubber you're glue.

They’re jealous, let them get on with it and enjoy working the hours that suit you.

Blimey, I only paid you a compliment.

I agree! They're clearly petty & jealous & need to be told to shut the f@ck up!

I work PT 0.4 fte. If any of my colleagues express views about it, I just say it's great and I highly recommend it to anyone who can afford to do it. Never apologise for it.

OP, I don't know why you bothered asking AIBU. You've had lots of replies saying they're bullies and need to be put in their place - great, full validation, do that then. But don't ask for opinions and then get cross when some people interpret this as you being very sensitive to normal workplace chat. I don't know you and don't care what you do, just adding my thoughts - as requested - so you don't overreact to normal comments and look like a dick.

I'd take anyone ribbing me for working part time much as I'd take someone ribbing me for being too pretty, too clever or too rich. It's a good thing, an enviable thing, people think you are lucky, take with good grace. Nothing you have said sounds bullying or intentionally unkind imo.