AIBU to stay in a flexible but extremely low-paid job that suits family life?

[reallyneedsomeadvice]

I'm having to try not to make this too outing but really need some advice. I've been with the same company for 10 years, my boss is absolutely lovely, I'm a project manager in a very niche industry that generally pays loads less than other project management work. After covid we've had a really tough time and my boss had to take a loan out against the company. We're now doing much better but still not making big bucks, if that makes sense.

I work fully remotely from home, Mon-Friday, school hours as we got a little kid, (9am-3pm), additionally to my normal holiday get two extra weeks in August, never have any stress, and so much time during the day that I can do all housework.

However, I earn a pittance ( just under £25k a year ). My husband earns well and we are fairly frugal anyways so it's okay, but I am well aware that this kind of salary is a joke.

Should I;

AIBU) start a riot and demand more pay
YANBU) keep my extremely cushy job and just live on less money

I am well aware that I'll never find a job like this again which fits so nicely with family life! But the pay is crap

Working from home for 6 hours a day is a pretty good deal. It depends what you prioritise more - money or family life and flexibility?

I’d love a job like that if I could afford it but I can’t. If you don’t need the money carry on for the time being and change jobs when your children are old enough to get to and from school themselves.

Sorry, what do you mean?

25k for 9-3 and additional paid holidays isn’t a pittance. So long as you’re paying into a pension then I’d stay.

It’s not SO bad pro rata as you’re basically working under a 4 day week. I’d hang on until DC is older as time and flexibility are priceless.

How old is your DC?

I'd stay in it for now- advantages are the flexibility and you love it (I've never loved a job so am quite envious!).

When your DCs are older and less reliant on you for after school care etc you could progress then.

It's not quite that much as it's a bit performance based as well depending what kind of projects we get. But the thing is, I enjoy the work and it's really quite easy, and not demanding at all. And I just love to pick my son up from school and spend time together. Yes, I do pay into a pension

Thank you so much. I'm a bit afraid that it will be seen as a negative that I've stayed so long in one job!

He's 6!

Where do you live, as that wouldn’t be considered a pittance where I live in the Midlands.
Part time work that fits in around school hours is like gold dust, but the downside is it’s poorly paid. I would stick at it for a few years until your children are secondary age and then look for something.

Thank you so much. I think I needed to hear this today. Making the mistake of comparing myself to other people who earn loads more. Never a good thing!

Also, I'm in NW

It doesn’t sound like a pittance at all!

If you pro rate it to the actual hours worked - bearing in mind it’s probably a bit less than 9-3 with getting to and from school, you can fit in other tasks during the day, you get extra holiday.

Probably worth a lot more if you pro rate it

Well that is true actually- counting the time I do the washing etc it's probably not too bad!

Not really as you can be up front that you were working around your child.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t apply for anything else in the near future if you feel ready for it, as obviously your child is getting older (as they all do!)

But in terms of “what is this salary worth” it would be much more if pro rated.

That is not a pittance particularly.
By rights, a minimum wage job of only six hours a day and two weeks extra holiday would only just be over 19K. So you’re on a lot more than that.

I understand that. I earn an absolute pittance compared to one of my friends and i sometimes catch myself feeling envious of her. But then I remember that she is always stressed, always running to catch up and she works all the hours she possibly can, and barely takes her allocated annual leave either. Compared to that I am SO lucky.

So £16 g

you do 30 hours a week so yes if you increased your hours, you would get more money. I don’t think you are a bad wage for what you do.

Oh yes absolutely! I have a very high-flying friend, she's extremely bright and has an amazing job, but boy, her mental health is constantly suffering, the children overwhelm her and she is on and off antidepressants with the stress. A peaceful home life is really worth gold.

I would look at the overall picture OP.

What does your hourly rate come to?

How many days of A/L do you get and how does that compare to other companies? E.g. if you moved companies and got paid more but lost those extra two weeks, how would that affect you?

What about pension provision? Sickness benefits etc.?

If you can afford it I think the pay off of less stress is worth it temporarily.

You say a young child, are we talking nursery or primary age? I found the hardest age for working was mid to late primary when they all of a sudden seem to attend 50 different evening activities that all seem to start at 6!

I have other reasons both personal and for my children that mean part time work suits me better but it’s so individual. If you could get a job tomorrow that would bring you home an extra £1000 per month it’s a different question to if you would only be making an extra £300/400.

My children are older now so I will soon be looking to increase hours and responsibilities to mean an increase in income.

I’m in a similar position and the salary feels low but if I were in a better paid job, I’d be paying to commute, accounting for time on the road, paying for after-school care and not able to take 5 minutes out to do the laundry. I probably wouldn’t be any better off, or not enough to balance out the added stress.

I’m in a similar ish position. I’m paid OK, but under what other people in similar roles elsewhere would be paid.

but there is no management in my office, I can come and go as I need (within reason) & there’s no drama if I need to be off with the children when they’re poorly etc. can also take my dog to work with me so the benefits for me outweigh the underpayment.

for me the extra pay would only go towards the cost of a dog walker/daycare, wraparound childcare etc. you’ll need to decide if the non financial benefits are worth more to you than the extra pay.

If your worry is being seen to have stagnated, are there any other things you can do alongside the job to freshen up your CV a bit? Extra qualifications, volunteer committee role, that sort of stuff.

Exactly this! I can attend every assembly, go for a short walk when the weather is nice, etc. Also if I had to be in an office I'd have to get a car and that would be expensive as well.