to think I can get by without childcare in August because work is quiet?

[isitPeri1]

Every August, work slows down massively. It has always been this way. There is barely anything coming in, hardly any meetings or deadlines, and most of my team is off. My manager and her manager are both away for the whole of August, so it is very unlikely anything urgent will come up.

I have primary school-aged kids and I am thinking I might skip childcare this year. I usually only have about one to two hours of work a day in August, and some days there is literally nothing to do at all. Anything that does come up, I can usually fit around the kids early in the morning or after they have gone to bed. I have proper annual leave booked for September when they are back at school, so I will get a proper break then.

Has anyone else done this? Just managed without childcare when work was super quiet?

You just aren't understanding seasonal work.

I've been in a job that's flat out for 10 months of the year and super quiet for 2. There's only so much work you can invent in the quiet periods. Inventing too much quickly becomes counter - productive.

Cutting staff because they aren't busy in the quiet period is terrible management. You need them when thecwork ramps up a few weeks later!

That also includes having some time just for me too, I'm off all week but I've booked the kids into holiday club for 2 days so I can have some time to myself.

That sounds like a great idea. People on this thread have said why have children if you book time off for yourself?

Exactly, thank you.

Some people just don’t get that not all jobs are flat-out all year round. Loads of roles have natural quiet periods and there’s only so much useful work you can make up during that time. Trying to stay “busy” just for the sake of it ends up being pointless or even counterproductive.

Cutting staff because things are quiet for a few weeks is just bad management. You need those people when everything kicks off again. That’s how it works in my industry.

I'm having trouble imagining a job where there is no work to do!!! What are these jobs? I WFH but I could literally fill every minute with work and work through lunch and still wouldn't get all the work done...and even if I got the work done there's always training and development to do etc

Me too - but is my role there is lots of continuous development required.

clearly this role and industry is different.

I do not have a job where there is nothing to do. It is quiet in January and August and very busy the rest of the time.

So OP it’s very busy in Sept when you are planning to take your ‘real’ annual leave. How nice for everyone who will have to cover for you.

Words just fail me regarding your sense of entitlement.

Why is it entitled if my manager allows it? I asked and it was approved.

I'd give up if I were you @isitPeri1 - some posters on here will never be happy until you flagellate yourself to death

So true. Some of the replies on here say way more about how unhappy people are in their own lives than anything I’ve posted.

You asked:

Am I being unreasonable to think I can get by without childcare in August because work is quiet?

And didn't like the answers or the doubts that you've been entirely truthful in your responses. It's not about how happy others are in their own lives but a reflection of different perspectives on honesty, decency and fairness in the workplace, along with appropriate parenting.

It's absolutely fine you know what your doing your getting the work done thers no issue you've explained there's very minimal work so make the most of it! Take your kids out locally toys doesn't happen much so you'll kick yourself. If both managers are off for the whole month then already speaks volumes of the work load and protocols so calm down to those who are kicking up a fuss. I think they're just envy of you trust be told. Go and take the kids out for abit of a walk in your local park or a day trip....what I didn't like is your annual leave is without the kids (when they're back at school) but I don't know your home life circumstances so reserving judgment

She's not doing so little work though is she she said she's getting it all done, so what more can she do if there is no work I don't think you'd just sit infront of your laptop twiddling thumbs for hours on end, if both her managers are off at the same time for the whole of August that says alot doesn't it!? It's not your usual workload/structure. Don't forget she said this only happens in August and Jan. Must supply stationary to schools or something anyway cut her some slack, she's not cheating her company if she's getting her work done first thing in the morning. If there isn't enough work that's on the company not her for not making their staff take annual leave then, some companies do close certain times of the year for up to a week or two.

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