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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be more confident about my job roll

17 replies

Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 18:38

I took a job when my daughter started school at 4. I am AAT qualified and started on £10 an hour because I was desperate for the flexibility as I am a single mum.
I have put my heart into the job and over the last 6 years have implemented all the current procedures we use. I worked all the way through covid while the lady I job share with was furloughed.

My daughter is now 10 and is starting senior school in September - I now need to make a decent salary rather than being grateful for the flexibility…AIBU to push this with my boss and let him know what I want or should I just look for another job that fits with what I want (and I know I can do)

I’m not very confident at expressing my needs so I think I will fluff the conversation I need to have (even though I am having it daily in my head)

sorry - I hope this makes sense

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 18:41

Surely you talk about your development during appraisals. Explore getting a higher qualification and taking on more responsibility and if there is scope to move upwards. If not look elsewhere, keep in mind you currently have the protection of having been at the current workplace for two years and you lose that when you move.

Also I found my daughter required me to be more flexible on starting Secondary than the end of Primary although for different reasons.

Deliadidit · 15/11/2023 18:41

You do both! Start looking but let your boss know that you’re looking for a salary increase. I would point out all that you’ve put in your post; what you’ve achieved and your loyalty to the company these last 6 years.

You have nothing to lose!

ISeeARedDoorAndIWantToBreakIn · 15/11/2023 18:41

I’m not sure I understand your question? Are you asking if you should ask for more hours (I’m assuming you’re currently PT) and/or for a pay rise and/or for a promotion?

Luxell934 · 15/11/2023 18:43

Depends if there is room for progression in your job/company or if you’d be better off finding a different job.

Original poster
Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 18:44

ISeeARedDoorAndIWantToBreakIn · 15/11/2023 18:41

I’m not sure I understand your question? Are you asking if you should ask for more hours (I’m assuming you’re currently PT) and/or for a pay rise and/or for a promotion?

More for payrise and promotion as I have been to scared to push for this before as I’ve needed to stay flexible which they have always given me so it’s been a win win for us both (me on low salary for what I do but also been able to be there for my daughter/school things etc)

OP posts:
Original poster
Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 18:45

Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 18:41

Surely you talk about your development during appraisals. Explore getting a higher qualification and taking on more responsibility and if there is scope to move upwards. If not look elsewhere, keep in mind you currently have the protection of having been at the current workplace for two years and you lose that when you move.

Also I found my daughter required me to be more flexible on starting Secondary than the end of Primary although for different reasons.

Edited

Yes we do, but again I’ve always been on the backfoot trying to not rock the boat by making it about money incase they wanted me to commit more which I haven’t been able to do

OP posts:
Original poster
Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 18:46

Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 18:41

Surely you talk about your development during appraisals. Explore getting a higher qualification and taking on more responsibility and if there is scope to move upwards. If not look elsewhere, keep in mind you currently have the protection of having been at the current workplace for two years and you lose that when you move.

Also I found my daughter required me to be more flexible on starting Secondary than the end of Primary although for different reasons.

Edited

Thank you. That is also a worry that I’m jumping to soon just for ‘money’

OP posts:
ISeeARedDoorAndIWantToBreakIn · 15/11/2023 19:11

Have you looked at adverts for jobs that are similar to what you are currently doing, to see if your current salary is comparable? Then look at adverts for jobs that you could do with your skills, and see what the difference in salary is.

you can use this information in bargaining with your current employer.

Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 19:20

In your position with an employer I was happy with I would look at upskilling, I don't know lots about AAT but have you completed all the levels and got MAAT? If not I'd ask them to put me through the course, and once they've invested in me ask to up my hours but with some WFH time which is really useful as although teenagers don't need you and are fairly self sufficient they still like you around.

You're playing the long game, you need to be self sufficient and able to move off UC (assuming you claim it but as a p/t worker single mum I assume you do) within the next 6 years, so get your ducks in a row. Get in a stable position, work on your confidence, self esteem and qualifications and know your worth when you move on.

Original poster
Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 19:52

ISeeARedDoorAndIWantToBreakIn · 15/11/2023 19:11

Have you looked at adverts for jobs that are similar to what you are currently doing, to see if your current salary is comparable? Then look at adverts for jobs that you could do with your skills, and see what the difference in salary is.

you can use this information in bargaining with your current employer.

Yes I have…that’s what making me wonder if I should bargain my spot or just suck up the last 6 years and move to a different company

OP posts:
Original poster
Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 19:59

Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 19:20

In your position with an employer I was happy with I would look at upskilling, I don't know lots about AAT but have you completed all the levels and got MAAT? If not I'd ask them to put me through the course, and once they've invested in me ask to up my hours but with some WFH time which is really useful as although teenagers don't need you and are fairly self sufficient they still like you around.

You're playing the long game, you need to be self sufficient and able to move off UC (assuming you claim it but as a p/t worker single mum I assume you do) within the next 6 years, so get your ducks in a row. Get in a stable position, work on your confidence, self esteem and qualifications and know your worth when you move on.

Apologies - I am MAAT (level 4) I am currently upskilling in my CIMA (level 7) but I am seriously struggling with the studying so I don’t think I am going to carry on with it

that’s exactly my situation…I would like to come off UC but it needs to be a significant pay rise to cover my loss even with me going from 25 hours to 37.5. However, full time hasn’t been discussed yet either

it’s just this limbo of being there for my daughter and preparation for her starting senior school as well as earning a salary on my own without UC that covers everything.
And the limbo of discussing a payrise and full time with my current employer or applying for a new job that is full time at £40k+ with the job descriptions I do now (if anything a bit less than what my responsibilities currently are)

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 20:12

Is there an in-between qualification you can do? Will not completing the qualification harm your future career progression? If so I'd stick it out and finish it, if that was a career I wanted to stay in. I had a career change when DD started year 8 too as her needs were different and I didn't need the school holidays off anymore.

Look at Government bodies, I only knew what MAAT was from googling it today talking to a colleague getting some financial advice on a business case I'm working on. lots of government departments and their arms length bodies offer great working conditions and are very family friendly and there are lots of roles for accountancy so worth keeping an eye on the jobs board

Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 20:15

Salary wise I wouldn't qualify for UC at all (if I hadn't been on tax credits) and I earn £30k full time and have one DD, I think I'm just above the cut off.

Original poster
Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 20:20

Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 20:12

Is there an in-between qualification you can do? Will not completing the qualification harm your future career progression? If so I'd stick it out and finish it, if that was a career I wanted to stay in. I had a career change when DD started year 8 too as her needs were different and I didn't need the school holidays off anymore.

Look at Government bodies, I only knew what MAAT was from googling it today talking to a colleague getting some financial advice on a business case I'm working on. lots of government departments and their arms length bodies offer great working conditions and are very family friendly and there are lots of roles for accountancy so worth keeping an eye on the jobs board

There’s no inbetween but annoyingly I pushed for them to fund my CIMA as my boss was asking much more of me than what I knew or am paid for but it’s SOOOOO hard and I don’t know if I can do it. I feel physically sick when I study. I have 3 exams to do (and pass by February) i am currently doing an apprenticeship so the funding is £1200 for the first year so I would be ok to pay that back…

OP posts:
Original poster
Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 20:22

Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 20:15

Salary wise I wouldn't qualify for UC at all (if I hadn't been on tax credits) and I earn £30k full time and have one DD, I think I'm just above the cut off.

I would double check that as they don’t work off earnings as such. They do have a 55p taper per £ over a certain amount

I currently earn £16k part time so this is what I mean by I would need a significant increase to cover my mortgage, bills, cost of living etc

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 20:40

I did an OU degree and by the end of the last year I was so sick of studying I nearly threw the towel in, I'm glad I didn't although do feel I studied alot of my Dd's childhood.

Do you want to stay in accountancy?
If you do I'd stick it out, if you can get £40k with a level 4 I assume that increases massively with a level 7.
How many years of the course do you have left?
Level 7 is Masters level it's not going to be easy and you should be proud of yourself. Can you get help with your studies from other people that work there? Do you have a mentor?

it sounds like your current place really value you and have been willing to invest in you. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to find out you are ready to take on more hours

Original poster
Jtdoyoveme · 15/11/2023 20:44

Singleandproud · 15/11/2023 20:40

I did an OU degree and by the end of the last year I was so sick of studying I nearly threw the towel in, I'm glad I didn't although do feel I studied alot of my Dd's childhood.

Do you want to stay in accountancy?
If you do I'd stick it out, if you can get £40k with a level 4 I assume that increases massively with a level 7.
How many years of the course do you have left?
Level 7 is Masters level it's not going to be easy and you should be proud of yourself. Can you get help with your studies from other people that work there? Do you have a mentor?

it sounds like your current place really value you and have been willing to invest in you. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to find out you are ready to take on more hours

I do want to stay in accountancy and at level 7 I can walk in at £55k but that’s in 4 years when I qualify. I could walk into £40k now and work my way up to that in 4 years so it’s really tough as like you say, the time and balance is tough!

I am the highest of the 3 in our accounts department so it’s all on me and no one to ask who understands that it’s tough 😬

that’s what I’m hoping…I just need find the confidence to ask the question

OP posts:
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