Went for a job and got offered a cleaner job instead I feel miserable.

[Aw4foxsake]

I applied for a job working checkouts and everything went well they asked me if I would be interested in a cleaning job and that I could sort of have a dual role where I could clean and do the tills but the starting pay would be less but it would allow me to have extra hours when I'm free.

Went to the contract signing and it's just the cleaning job that has zero chance of extra hours and I will not be put on checkouts.

I have to take this job as my hours have been radically cut from my previous job so I'm left with no choice right now.

I feel like this is a step backwards as for the last 2 years I've been working tills. Which was a step backwards from my previous job as a graphic designer.

To make it worse I feel like I'm being discriminated against because I have a child since they said " we feel like this job would provide better flexibility with your commitments"

My availability is during school 9-3pm and 5-10pm and weekends are fine. I also share custody with my son's father who works 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off so I have him when he is away working and he has him when he is home. So I can work any hours when my son is away. I can't find a job that is willing to work with my availability which I think is pretty reasonable.

I've been trying all of the shops but no one is willing to hire me. All of the office jobs in my area start at 8am and finish 5/6pm but I would have to pay for a childcare space that would go unused 1/2 the time.

I'm miserable and I will have a really really low income with no opportunity to even make more.

Am I just overreacting I've been crying ever since I signed the contract. I wanted to learn how to drive I will not make enough money to even learn it will cover the cost of our food without much left over. I feel like once people see I've been cleaning on my CV they will not hire me for anything more.

What do you think ?

Have you thought about working in a school? You could look on local school websites for vacancies. They employ office staff as well as teachers & teaching assistants. The hours could suit you.

and a great CV.

THAT is how people work their way up to desirable skilled and well paid careers

Congrats to son (and his upbringing)

Yup, this is what I was trying to say.. Her ex is living childfree life and maintaining his career to the detriment of OP!

Meh, I had a job once and got demoted to cleaning after a couple of days.

Turns out despite being shite at housework, I do like cleaning and it's one of the best jobs I've had. If I needed money now, I'd get a cleaning round, loads better than working for someone else.

And I've had lots of jobs ranging from graduate level to random, ft, pt, there's always something going.

Won't you be eligible to get most o the childcare paid ?

I agree look for freelance graphic design work, contact local ad agencies to see if they need support, sign for up on Fiverr and UpWork and you maybe get some extra work that way as well and can work from home.

Also you could design downloadables and sell them on Etsy, eg. Design a range of kids birthday invites and people pay for them to be personalised and then they can download the design and print it out themselves.

I hope you aren't a mother.

Again, women expected to sacrifice whereas men have it easy.

You obviously are ignorant of how expensive childcare is.

Why is childcare expense on OP? She should pay 50%, her ex should pay 50%.

In a professional job, she can pay her 50% and progress. At the same time have a career.

How will she get back into corporate world after working in a supermarket and cleaner.

People make choices to work for a loss to maintain career, work flexibly and/or do freelance contracts.

And why have a child if can't afford childcare costs. Everyone knows how expensive it is, not a hidden secret....

You make it sound so easy....

Her wonderful ex might refuse like many others to pay money for his children. Then what? Conjure the money out of thing air?

Could you get back into graphic design? You could probably wangle working from home with a job like that.

Then, she should go through the CM route.

So, will be a cleaner/working on tills make her enough money to pay childcare fees?

As a guide from Prospects:

• "SalaryStarting salaries for junior graphic designers are in the region of £18,000 to £23,000. Once you've gained some experience, salaries can rise to £27,000.
• At a middle level, you can expect to earn £25,000 to £38,000.
• Salaries for senior graphic designers or creative leads range from £35,000 to £55,000. A creative director can make £60,000+.
• As a freelancer, you can earn between £200 and £400 a day with experience. You'll be able to charge more once you have an impressive track record and recommendations.

Salaries vary depending on the sector of employment, location and your experience and reputation. The best paid jobs are usually in London and other large cities. In-house design teams tend to offer higher salaries than design agencies. Income figures are intended as a guide only."

So, you tell me what salary is better - tills/cleaner or graphic design?

Can you wfh when working on tills or cleaner?
Can you flex your hours to do let's say 8-4/9-5? (Some people do 9-3 or a shocker part time!)
Can you still maintain career progression and build a salary, get promotions?
Can you still have a social life with colleagues etc and an outlet?

"My availability is during school 9-3pm and 5-10pm", surely these hours are worse than 9-5 or 8-4 or whatever? Isn't it better to work an office job, log off at 5 and spend evenings with your child.. That's what I thought?

Childcare costs are dire in this country, this is why people think very carefully before having a child and plan it strategically so they can pay the cost or work at a loss. They also make use of flexible working/hybrid/remote.

OP's child might not have been planned. We also don't know if she can get back into her previous career.

Anyway I will leave you to it and your carefully planned life.

I would stop limiting yourself to school time employment. Even if you have it pay for childcare you don’t need or use, you will probably be better off financially.

See, there's the difference. I have hope and optimism, where there's a will there's a way. She won't know until she tries!

And read the comments, other posters are saying the same exact thing I am - she should go back to graphic design.

@supersnook “i’ve never known any breakfast or after school clubs where you need to lock in full time dates. They are usually very flexible with kids being booked on that very day.”

Completely the opposite of my experience, where you join a waiting list and then pay all the time for days you don’t need because you can’t risk letting them go.

Honestly I'd use the childcare. You are going to heavily limit yourself if you stick only to school hours. You'll be better off overall earning more, with much better long term prospects including pensions.

@Testina completely depends on school: my kids school always has short notice availability. I rarely book breakfast club but when I need it I can book it the day before.

It does sound like a bait and switch with the cleaning job.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect employers to accommodate your availability with the 3 on/ 3 off. Maybe agency work of some kind would work better?

Maybe agency work of some kind would work better?
I think this is a very very sensible option to consider at least for the near future. Something to keep you afloat while you continue to continue to look for a more permanent position as a graphic designer.

She has the child fifty fifty with the father. Generally in that situation no cm is due, in addition the rule is usually the parent who uses the childcare in their time pays.

It’s v. disappointing, OP, but I’d give it a try and see whether you can be trained in other areas such as checkout, stocking, etc., as a PP’s son was. Your employer will soon realize that you have a good work ethic and you can ask for opportunities. Best of luck. 🤞

Re. Freelance or agency graphic design work. My neighbor is a graphic designer (used to be corporate, then set up a company with a colleague and they wfh). I imagine the OP’s issue is the set-up costs and the unreliable income.

The design software isn’t cheap, she’ll need a good computer, plus getting work can be a huge effort. My neighbor has a business manger who deals with that side of things.

It might be a long-term possibility if the OO can raise the capital to get set up to wfh. I agree with a PP who suggested developing your skills in web development though. The more skills you can offer, the better.

I was using this: "I also share custody with my son's father who works 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off so I have him when he is away working and he has him when he is home." unless I misunderstood and she has him for 3 weeks but he doesn't.. How's that 50/50%? I agree, it would be 50% if he took him for 3 weeks to reciprocate.