To accept civil service job

[LanaL]

I am a teacher . I hate it. I work supply at the moment. This can be a take home of £500 per week , if I work every day . I don’t get paid during the holidays , bank holidays , teacher training days , or if I’m sick. I’m currently in a long term role so at present every day is guaranteed but this won’t be the case in September .

I have been offered a role in the CS as a customer service rep for HMRC on the telephone. The take home is £1650 a month ( ish ) and it has a great pension .

I could earn £1850 a month in a full permanent role as a teacher . I don’t know what the effect on my mental health would be though as I left my last as I couldn’t handle it and I’m on a long term now and I feel like I’m just desperately trying to reach the holidays all the time . I’m exhausted ,

I don’t know what to do .

As it stands I have to work 2 days per week in the holidays to make the extra . But I still have 3 days per week with my children. I won’t have that with the CS but I will have annual leave and I can work from home 2 days per week .

This is a guaranteed income every month . But my whole years take home would be more in supply - but , this doesn’t account for days off sick , bank holidays etc . The job I have in the holidays is not WFH and long days , it’s also not available in the Christmas holidays .

I don’t know what to do .

Lots! I’m always so stressed and I spend a lot on my children just to try and make up for not being present too .

I doubt teaching will get easier... though I know it's a hard decision. I'm thinking about something similar!

Sorry, I was't replying to you in particular. A lot of people think that the cs is is so lax regarding things like that.

The flexibility is great though. It is wjy so many women with families stay.

I think you should take the CS job.

Re. WFH. My DH works in a different sector and now WFH three days a week. He’s able to work just as productively as in his office and has far more free time due to no commute. We have a young adult child and an older teenager so no childcare needed. It’s been a great fit for him, he’s noticeably less stressed and happier.

Less stress and more personal time are valuable, OP, you only get one life. 💐

I’m a CS and I wish I’d joined 20 years ago. Best thing I have ever done work wise.

God just do it

It sounds great

Not one person has said to stay in your current role.

Not one person has said to stay in your current role.

I agree take the CS job. Could you also do supply teaching on some of your days off if you wanted to make extra money?

Also, most CS departments have flexi time. Yesterday I stayed an hour later so that will go on my flexi sheet. I’m taking this Friday off as a flexi day and next Friday as I have gradually accrued flexi over the past couple of month. This helps me when I have meetings at DC school and take an occasion ‘me’ day.

OP cant just do extra work without first notifying and getting agreement from HMRC that OP would be allowed to do so.

Same applies in other CS depts.

If you want a second job - approval is required and depending on circs, is not always given.

Is it HMRC? If so once you’re in try to move from the phones to Compliance and have a mind to progression