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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you work an extra three hours a week…

79 replies

Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:06

… for £260 extra?

I currently work 26 hours - I reduced from 29 for childcare reasons but could go back up and my boss would really like me to (but no pressure).

Some things have changed so I’m now having to pay for childcare which will cost about £100 a week.

We can cover this with current salary but obviously it would be nice to have a bit more.

However both DS (10 & 5) have ASD and EHCPs and I feel like the paperwork, meetings etc are never ending plus the general stress.

I currently have a full day off a week which is useful for the various bits and bobs. Working additional hours would mean that day off goes.

I can’t decide.

Any pitfalls I’ve not considered?

YABU - keep your day off
YANBU - work more

OP posts:
MrsMarzetti · 23/08/2023 17:58

Keep the day off.

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/08/2023 18:00

So averagely 12hrs a month for £260 so £21ph nett

So an extra £60 a week or so for losing 3hrs.

Can you choose the hours /time

Ans add them over to other 4 days somehow

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:02

PleaseGiveMeBackMySummer · 23/08/2023 17:39

Stealth brag, telling everyone you get paid nearly £21 an hour. 🥱

🙄

How? Big surprise some people earn more than others.

I’m very clearly not crying poverty.

And it’s £26.62 an hour.

OP posts:
NalafromtheLionKing · 23/08/2023 18:05

Surely your childcare cost would go up too. If it eats into your extra day, I wouldn’t but perhaps would add 45 mins onto your existing working days for it.

PleaseGiveMeBackMySummer · 23/08/2023 18:05

Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:02

How? Big surprise some people earn more than others.

I’m very clearly not crying poverty.

And it’s £26.62 an hour.

Show quote history

That would be more than £260 if you do earn what you're claiming here. 🙄

More like £315 a month. Try again. Wink

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:06

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/08/2023 18:00

So averagely 12hrs a month for £260 so £21ph nett

So an extra £60 a week or so for losing 3hrs.

Can you choose the hours /time

Ans add them over to other 4 days somehow

Unfortunately I can’t add the hours to the other days so there’s no option to do that.

Thank you everyone - I think I’ll do a trial and dress it as ‘getting ahead’ so my boss doesn’t get excited about me being back more and reassess after a few weeks.

I can see how I feel and get an idea of what’s the impact will feel like.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:10

PleaseGiveMeBackMySummer · 23/08/2023 18:05

That would be more than £260 if you do earn what you're claiming here. 🙄

More like £315 a month. Try again. Wink

Show quote history

Sure. Whatevs 👍🏽

OP posts:
PleaseGiveMeBackMySummer · 23/08/2023 18:13

I do sometimes wonder about whether I should work an extra 15 hours a month, for an extra £2,250 a month, but I don't really need the money.

Up to you what you do @Merryoldgoat Wink

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:16

With your maths I can believe you think that’s real @PleaseGiveMeBackMySummer

OP posts:
MinnieMountain · 23/08/2023 18:20

Don’t worry about your boss liking you to.
I’d keep the time. It sounds like you have lots to do at home and need the headspace.

BungleandGeorge · 23/08/2023 18:26

Are you going to end up paying for more childcare during school holidays?
is your employer ok granting parental leave because you’d be entitled to take single days if you need them

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:31

BungleandGeorge · 23/08/2023 18:26

Are you going to end up paying for more childcare during school holidays?
is your employer ok granting parental leave because you’d be entitled to take single days if you need them

DH and I usually manage it between us as he gets 6 weeks holiday but there will be higher costs, yes.

OP posts:
Redwinestillfine · 23/08/2023 18:32

If you're happy working the hours for the pay after tax etc, then 3 hours is easy enough to fit in. I recently upped by hours by that amount.

Clefable · 23/08/2023 18:36

What is with this place lately with people asking reasonable financial questions and attracting sad, bitter replies from people? Are we only allowed to post on here if we earn minimum wage? Even in the Money forum, people asking about finances when they aren't on the breadline attract snide remarks and are told they are boasting.

It's okay to talk about money even if you aren't in poverty.

miniegg3 · 23/08/2023 18:38

Not if it was on a day off, especially an only day off... added on to another shift I would x

Star0Fire · 23/08/2023 18:42

Funnily enough I've done this same thing. +3 hours a week, I'm going from 2x longer shifts to 3x shorter ones.

Luckily it won't cost me anything extra in child care as my new extra shift is on a weekend.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:42

Redwinestillfine · 23/08/2023 18:32

If you're happy working the hours for the pay after tax etc, then 3 hours is easy enough to fit in. I recently upped by hours by that amount.

It is and isn’t.

it sounds easy to fit in but my working hours are quite tight as my younger boy can’t participate in any wraparound care and his school hours are shorter than normal as he’s in a specialist provision.

So my hours on the 4 days have zero give so the additional 3 hours can only be on my day off.

DH does as much as he can too - he covers most holiday and sickness (of which there is a LOT).

OP posts:
PlipPlopChoo · 23/08/2023 18:43

Before tax and contributions or after?

UsingChangeofName · 23/08/2023 18:44

I read it first as an extra £260 a week, which made me think differently from when you clarified in your 2nd post.

No, I don't think I would, in your circumstances.
I'll be honest, having a day at home when dc are in school is wonderful for any parent. When you add in all the different stresses, and the meetings and appointments you have due to your dcs' SEN, then I definitely would hold on to the time, over the money.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:45

Clefable · 23/08/2023 18:36

What is with this place lately with people asking reasonable financial questions and attracting sad, bitter replies from people? Are we only allowed to post on here if we earn minimum wage? Even in the Money forum, people asking about finances when they aren't on the breadline attract snide remarks and are told they are boasting.

It's okay to talk about money even if you aren't in poverty.

Thank you - I appreciate that.

I just wanted to thrash it out with people who don’t have an interest - DH just wants me to
do what I want to and sees both sides.

OP posts:
pamplemoussemousse · 23/08/2023 18:46

In your situation I don't think an extra £65 a week is worth losing a full day off. Work/life balance is important too.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 18:46

@UsingChangeofName

if it was that for three hours a week I’d be running to work! 🤣🤣

@PlipPlopChoo

Net and monthly so after all deductions.

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 23/08/2023 18:54

if it was that for three hours a week I’d be running to work! 🤣🤣

Yup - me too Grin

I suspect a lot of people wouldn't have registered your clarification though.

Boomboom22 · 23/08/2023 18:58

Sorry I don't get it. If the childcare is 100 a week plus hassle with appointments, travel etc that's 400+ so how does 260 give you extra?

Wexone · 23/08/2023 18:58

I wouldn't actually ( and clarification I earn more an hour than that ) to me that extra time off would be more valuable than the pay. unless it will benefit immensely long term that extra time would be so beneficial to me to do normal life work with your extra work on top