To leave good job because I want the summer off

[SunnySuze]

Have been employed now for 18 months, on a fixed term. Employer has offered me a new contract for two years but I really want the summer off to have freedom and to not do much frankly. I’ve saved a bit of my salary £5000, and all bills would be covered fine but it does mean we’d loose the extra nice bits like impromptu takeaways and whatnots.
I’ve dreams of getting the kids after school and heading to the park rather than the usual after school club pick ups, rush tea, then bed.
Am I mad? DH is supportive of whatever I choose.

Honestly sure why not, it's your life, and we're a long time dead!

If you end up regretting it a little bit financially, so what? You can always make more money - the only thing you can't make more of is time.

I don’t think you’re mad. I’d be finding it quite difficult to feel motivated if I’d done an 18 month stint with an employer but they only want to offer another 2 year fixed term contract. For the record I did multiple fixed term jobs between the ages of 21-34. I was strung along by 1 or 2 employers, so am jaded when I hear about situations like that. I think you should try and use the fact they’re only offering a fixed term extension to negotiate. If they want you to commit to the full duration, you want time off over the summer hols.

P.S. @BezMills was spot on. You can’t make more time.

Negotiate a chunk of unpaid parent leave

Unpaid parental leave: Entitlement - GOV.UK https://share.google/wpNBRptSIO6VmoDfn

Parental leave is unpaid. You’re entitled to 18 weeks’ leave for each child and adopted child, up to their 18th birthday.
The limit on how much parental leave each parent can take in a year is 4 weeks for each child (unless the employer agrees otherwise).
You must take parental leave as whole weeks (for example 1 week or 2 weeks) rather than individual days, unless your employer agrees otherwise or if your child is disabled. You do not have to take all the leave at once.

Like you I am just coming to the end of a fixed term contract which was meant to finish at the end of march but has been extended for a further month. I am so looking forward to having the summer off after 40 years of working solidly. My kids are all grown up ! I have been musing over what i would say to my manager if they suddenly said there was a job for me or said I could stay on. I honestly think I would have to turn it down or tell them I couldn't start until September !

But there are not the jobs currently! I recently advertised a post and had 300 applicants most of who were over qualified! They applied as there are so few jobs currently!

You say, "Summer", but how long, when would start, June?

If that's what you want and you can afford it, go for it. You'll be spending less if not at work anyway, people always do.

Make sure you are in a good position to pick up another job in September.

Unless you’re in a country that has good weather, I personally wouldn’t do it. You’ll have time off, but by your own admission your quality of life decreases and treats go out of the window. True you can’t put a price on quality time and a slower paced life, but I don’t think you have enough financial security to take the risk. Instead I’d seek to compromise with your employer. You could ask for part time. If you have any accrued annual leave, perhaps take Mondays & Fridays off so you have long weekends etc, or a couple of half days so you can do the school pick.

Totally mad, jobs market is shocking, 5k is nothing - unless you have other savings?

Could you ask for a 3 month sabbatical from your employer?

You'll never get the time back, so instinctively I'd say yes, BUT really think-how likely are you to get another job in this market-a lot depends on your specific role/your area etc. So research and think hard, still, plenty of parents don't work at all, and you know how they say on your deathbed, you'll regret spending time at the office instead of with the kids. Cats in the cradle (though there was less unemployment then!).

No, I definitely wouldn't do this, in the current job market. You might not find it as easy to find another one.

Yep, this - otherwise jettisoning employment because you fancy the summer off is foolish

I would suggest a compromise

Tell your current employer that you would love to extend your contract but that you have a 3 week holiday booked already in July (or August).

Your employer would likely be happy for you to take that chunk of time off and still stay in the job.

Could you suggest a sabbatical for the summer, or delay the start date?

if you’re going to leave anyway, surely a chat about options wouldn’t hurt.

Employees in the UK with at least one year's service can take up to 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave per child (until the child turns 18). Do this rather than give up your job in a poor market.

Just ask if you could delay the start of the new contract. Even a month or so off would be nice, surely?

You're doing it anyway, regardless of what anyone on here says, aren't you? You just want to let everyone know you're doing it.

The grass isn't always greener, maybe after a month off during the summer holidays the kids might be winding you right up!
Could you ask for a month or two month sabbatical between contracts?
As others have said it might be difficult to find another role after

Absolutely do it! You sound in a good financial position. I'd ask if you can delay the new contract start date but if you can't I'd leave. Who care if it rains all summer, you sound like you need a break and can afford the break so I'd do it now.

Do you know what the OP does or is looking for?! I’m sure she knows the market for her particular role

OP has stated where she works, admin in benefits.

What's your employer like? And when is your new fixed-term contract due to start? Could you negotiate a slightly later start to give you some time off over the summer months?

This is what parental leave is for! You are entitled to a certain number of weeks until your dc is 18. They don’t have to agree to the weeks you specify but they legally do have to agree to it over the course of a year and very often the summer is the quiet period (depends obv on your job!). I did it every year for many many years. It’s unpaid but you are legally entitled to it. Worth investigating rather than leaving your job entirely?

I agree with this… it’s you and your husbands choice but having seen 2 extremely capable friends massively struggle to find jobs ( one senior admin and one IT director level) and each one taking 4 months approx I think you need to give your heads a wobble….could you negotiate a 3 or 4 week break before your new contract starts…..? If you’re happy then stay put my lovely x