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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you work an extra 3 hours a week for £132 a month increase?

75 replies

DogHasAStick · 22/03/2025 19:45

I really hope this doesn't sound goady, not my intention at all. Just interested in other people's opinions.

For context...I have a Masters degree in my career subject, which I have worked in for 5 years. I have been offered further development experience in another team, which I really do need to secure a senior post. I WFH 3 days and have flexibility at work, i have been offered more hours. We also want to move, so would like to sell my house this year.

On the flip side, I am a single mother to two boys, youngest has AuADHD. Youngest had an absolutely awful time for years, but is currently doing the best he's ever been. I don't have time to look after myself and have let myself go somewhat, but a lot of this is because I am throwing my resources at work and my sons. I get no practical support, have a 30-40 minutes round trip school run twice a day, boys have clubs five times a week.

Because I get a universal credit top up, and a student loan, I would earn approximately £132 extra a month, for an extra 3 hours work a week. Would look better for mortgage and would allow me to spend more time at work of course, but unsure if it's worth the additional strain on my time?

OP posts:
Cunningfungus · 22/03/2025 19:46

Yes, I would if I didn’t hate the work.

Fidgety31 · 22/03/2025 19:47

Yes I woukd and have worked more for no or little financial gain . Also single mum so understand losing the top ups .
But I did it to aid career progression. I wouldn’t do it for no reason

Frowningprovidence · 22/03/2025 19:48

Is that after tax/pension deductions too?

SpringIsSpringing25 · 22/03/2025 19:49

Would this be further development in the other team?

Experience that you need?

If I read that right then yes, I would, but just three more hours of doing what you normally do then no I wouldn't

Ineffable23 · 22/03/2025 19:50

Would it make a material difference to your standard of living and/or be a material detriment to your studies?

If it wouldn't I would understand why you wouldn't, but it sounds like it shouldn't materially impact your studies and would give a fair amount more flexibility - e.g. if you don't need the cash it would probably be £180 or more into a pension which is worth doing, especially if you don't have a substantial workplace pension.

It also sounds like you need it for the future and if you say no to development opportunities, they don't tend to reappear.

Teaformenow · 22/03/2025 19:50

About £11 an hour. Is that pre or post tax etc?

RobinHeartella · 22/03/2025 19:51

That's only about £10 per hour for the extra hours, unless my maths is way off.

So no, I wouldn't do it.

You'd have to pay me way more than that for me to give up my family time.

Don't sell yourself short with your qualifications, you can command more than that imo

notimeforregrets · 22/03/2025 19:52

How long would you need to do that in order to secure the senior post? I wouldn't do it for the job I'm in now but I would do it for a year in order to get a £500 payrise later.

arcticpandas · 22/03/2025 19:52

If I liked the job and /or really needed the money and my kids wouldn't be negatively affected. So lots of parameters.

YourLuckyPearlGoose · 22/03/2025 19:54

Yes - because it’s not about the £132. It’s an investment in your career progression and the financial rewards will come with the next promotion, and the one after that and the extra in your pension pot etc.

Original poster
DogHasAStick · 22/03/2025 19:54

Thank you for replying.

I will get temporarily drafted into another team for my development, which is great, however i do provide some advisory level support to this team already, but i will be able to actually do their type of work. I will keep my current line manager and will also continue to do work in my current team. The hours Increase will continue when I am drafted back into my team.

The £132 is the estimated after tax/NI/student loan/loss of UC.

OP posts:
Frowningprovidence · 22/03/2025 19:54

I have a little extra job that's 3.5 hours for £162 (after deductions. It does make a difference to me.

sometimesmovingforwards · 22/03/2025 19:55

In my current situation, no, that’s a pitiful £/hr trade off.
If I was broke and needed money, well of course I would.

faerietales · 22/03/2025 19:56

Yes.

whycantibeselfishforonce · 22/03/2025 19:59

If I needed the money and it would make a positive difference then it would be worth the extra hours.

RobinHeartella · 22/03/2025 20:01

Exploitative employers encourage naive employees to taken on extra unpaid work with the hope that it leads to "progression" (in this case, not quite unpaid but nearly).

It's future faking. Like feckless boyfriends who hint about proposing.

Don't fall for it. They secretly look down on people who do, and hire an external for the promotion anyway.

JocelynLimo · 22/03/2025 20:04

Do you have the mental and physical capacity to take on the extra hours, with everything else you have to do?

If you do, I would do it for the career development.
If you are already running on empty, it would just have to wait a few years

AnSolas · 22/03/2025 20:07

£1584 pa take home or 10.15ph is not a lot if you are already in a time crunch with the children.
The house move will easier as it extra cash so extra flexability for a rate increese.

But the value is not in the takehome its in the possible career progression.
So go for it and use it to get the next job.

Chicheguevara · 22/03/2025 20:08

Possibly if it’s after Tax and NI. If not, it’s less than minimum wage and the company can poke right off.
3x52 then divided by 12 gives 13. 132/12 is £10.15.

Original poster
DogHasAStick · 22/03/2025 20:13

I am late thirties, so I am tired, overweight and a bit stiff! I used to be very active cycling and going to the gym, but that's all stopped. I have a slight curve in my lower back, physio has told me I need to go to the gym. Essentially the extra hours would hurt somewhat, and it would be tough fitting it around school and the boys clubs, but it is doable!

It would allow more meeting time, more presence.

OP posts:
Dox9 · 22/03/2025 20:14

What is your normal hourly rate? I would not work extra unless it was at minimum at my current hourly rate.
Unless I really needed the money of course.

Longsummerdays25 · 22/03/2025 20:38

DogHasAStick · 22/03/2025 20:13

I am late thirties, so I am tired, overweight and a bit stiff! I used to be very active cycling and going to the gym, but that's all stopped. I have a slight curve in my lower back, physio has told me I need to go to the gym. Essentially the extra hours would hurt somewhat, and it would be tough fitting it around school and the boys clubs, but it is doable!

It would allow more meeting time, more presence.

No, in this case I would spend the extra hours sorting out your health and exercise, which will be far more valuable in the years to come. You sound over stretched already.

MuggleMe · 22/03/2025 22:19

It's a stepping stone to promotion, and presumably work are asking for your help so it keeps them sweet?

Only you know how finely balanced your working hours are and what will have to shift for you to do an extra 3 hours a week but I'd be inclined to do it for the experience as much as anything.

HoskinsChoice · 22/03/2025 23:22

If it means you are moving away from being reliant on the state then absolutely, yes I would do it. If you're able to earn more and therefore take less UC then the money saved from the public purse can go to someone or something that needs it. It's win/win.

CheesePlantBoxes · 22/03/2025 23:34

DogHasAStick · 22/03/2025 19:54

Thank you for replying.

I will get temporarily drafted into another team for my development, which is great, however i do provide some advisory level support to this team already, but i will be able to actually do their type of work. I will keep my current line manager and will also continue to do work in my current team. The hours Increase will continue when I am drafted back into my team.

The £132 is the estimated after tax/NI/student loan/loss of UC.

I think you need to calculate the money before those things.

Your post implies you'd be working each hour for minimum wage or less, which isn't the case at all. As well as paying down a debt, you'll presumably be increasing your pension, and employer contribution, to your pension. You need to look at the bigger picture.

It's not £132 a month, it's whether youll be in a better position to achieve your goals in 12 months, 3 years etc.

Tbh, I think promotion is a red herring - unless you are actively pursuing it, as in you have a plan, you've identified skills gaps and have plans to close them, as well as a clear view on if you'll need to work more hours at a senior job and whether that is compatible with your family life, I wouldn't factor that in. Has everyone worked that job or are there other career paths?

If you've "let yourself go", will more hours contribute to that in 12 months time or help resolve it? What is uour priority?

These Qs aren't digs, they are just things to consider if you feel a bit lost.

Don't feel you need to say yes just because they've asked you amd you're being flattered into it. It's OK to decide its not the right path or time for you.