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.

Could you take un paid leave instead?

I think go for it as long as you’re comfortable with the risk of being out of work for a long time - you sound like you actually want to give up work altogether, or at least you aren’t that bothered about finding another job. Is that right? Because that’s a different proposition. Most people who are answering here are thinking about your prospects of re-employment. This is the worst job market within my memory so I personally wouldn’t bank on finding another job. But if you aren’t too bothered about re-employment and your DH can (and is happy to) support you all indefinitely, then it doesn’t matter - go for it.

If your DH is supportive of it then I'd say do it.

5 grand will cover you for the summer. Have fun.

But what will happen if it takes you until mid October to get a new job, you will then be working a month in hand before you get paid, so mid November. Then a month later Christmas looms its head!

To be honest with you, saving £5k in 18 months isn’t much, it’s only putting away £278 a month after all. You say your household expenses are otherwise covered but then, where did the rest of your income to date go? Takeaways etc don’t cost that much.

Don’t get me wrong - £5k is a nice amount of money to save but it doesn’t really justify leaving a “good” job. Your next job might not be as good. But it’s your life/your choice. I’d rather just reduce my hours or take AL.

Bad idea if you like the job as the job market is so tough right now.

You still have 22 years of working life. Your next employer is not going to understand taking time off to enjoy the summer (sounds lazy, shirking and atrocious). What about your pension?

What will you do if your husband leaves you for an 18 year old and takes his money with him? Do you really want to be in an Alice Evans type situation?

The job market is really bad at the moment and there is talk that the war might push us into a recession. Having a job is really vital and a life line at the moment, especially when the next wave of price increases come.

Just do it, we get one chance at this life and you want to do it, can afford to do it so sod it I say bloody do it. I’d speak to your employer and tell them you had planned some time off after this contract and would they be willing to take you on again in X amount of weeks/months they can only say no

Gah, do it! Life is short, kids aren't kids for long. If you and your husband are on the same page, then do it! Live life!

My husband always takes the summer off.... In the past he's just pretended to be sick, he's taken it's as unpaid parental leave or timed a career break... Now he works through agencies so just tells them he's not available....difference is that in his job there is plenty of work and he is always turning jobs down..... However the jobs market for most jobs is dire so I would say only do this if you are prepared that the summer turns into a much longer period of time.

Also... £5000 savings will not last long!

Ask your employer about taking unpaid dependants leave. I think you can’t take 4 weeks per year per child. Maybe couple this with a few week's annual leave and you can get the break you want with the stability of the job to go back to?

If your employer values you I’m sure you will be able to negotiate something to suit all?

I think you’d be foolish in the current job market tbh, sorry.

Negotiate a delayed start, or a part time contract.

I'd try going for reduced hours as opposed to packing in the job entirely. That way you still get to spend time with the kids but also, you have a little bit of security with a small wage coming in.

Yeah you’d be absolutely insane.

I can appreciate wanting off the hamster wheel but you’re never going to keenly want to get back on, and you might not get the chance. The job market has been struggling for a while. Try and buy more holiday days, and do four day weeks over the summer?

You know the job market is terrible at the moment, right? I guess for me the answer would be do it if you don't mind not being able to get another decent job after. I personally wouldn't enjoy my summer worrying about having to get back into the job market.

A friend did this last year. she is still unemployed

Why would you make yourself unemployed in this jobmarket?

total madness

I did that a couple of times when the kids were at school. It was great, I got to do the school run and be home with them in the holidays.
However it worked out for me that both times I was on gardening leave and had a new job to start at the end of the summer. I am not sure I would have been able to do it if I had not got new jobs to start.
Can you negotiate the summer off and start the new contract in September?

@SunnySuze take the summer off!

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread. But yes if you think you can make ends meet, I think you should go for it . You can't get this time back. They're all grown up before you know it . Best wishes :)

So talk to them and ask.if you can start new contract on September

Do it - you will never get that time back with your kids. Make memories and enjoy the freedom. As a compromise, you could ask your employer for p/t for a few months.

Just do it. You're a long time dead.

I took a summer off work once and LOVED it. Still look back on that time with my kids with fond memories.

I would explain you want 3 months (or whatever) off work for other commitments but would be happy to return after that. The worst thing that could happen is they say no, and then you’d be looking for a new job in September anyway.

Just quit my job for the same reason. Burnt out, fed up. Want to spend the summer holidays with the kids. So much to do at home that I never have time to do.
I leave my job in May but have the ability to do bank/locum type work so will be self employed rather than unemployed