Argh, just found 3 jobs I could apply for but all of them are less than 16 hours BUGGER

[NuttyMuffins]

It's so frustrating.

The first one is in a library but is only 15 hours. The second is a playgroup assistant but is only 10 hours and then the third is in a card shop but is only 12 hours.

I don't mind that it is so few hours but I would need childcare and obviously would get no help with the cost of that if I am working less than 16 hours.

Nutty, you know that your 16 hours for tax credit and childcare purposes don't all have to be in one job? I work 15 hours over 2 days as a nursing sister, but do an extra couple of hours a week delivering the local paper. Its minimum wage, but worth it to me as it puts me into the 16-30 hrs a week bracket and means we get much more benefits. Its worth thinking about.

Could you go for the 15 hour one anyway and then ask if somehow you culd get an extra hour in?
They may say 15 hours as it maybe easier for them to recruit someone for less?

Hadn't thought of doing the 2 jobs, will bear that in mind.

I am going to try and contact the library one and see if they could make it up to 16 hours.

Somebody once told me you could do Kleeneze or Avon stuff or something, to make up the extra 2 hours.

But I would check that out with the Revenue first.

(I'd also write a letter to the Head of Council Leisure Services, asking why so many part time jobs are set just under the threshold where it would be possible for lone parents to do them and how this fits in with the government's joined up thinking agenda. CC it to Gordon Brown!)

Good point Caligula, my mum said exactly that, why make it 15 hours when it means most people can't apply.

I honestly have sometimes wondered whether it's a deliberate policy. Nearly all the council part time jobs are 14 or 15 hours. They of all people must know what that means for lone parents. I did mean to ring one parent families about it and ask them what they thought, but couldn't be arsed in the end.

Check out the Avon option. You'd then be in total charge of when and whether you did that extra hour!

Good point about the avon had never thought of doing anything like that.

When i ring about the library job, I will point out that the fact that it is 15 hours will count alot of people out straight away and see what they say.

I used to 'work' a couple of hours caring for my Nanna, gave my Mam the day off and it gave me the extra hours.

Though then I had to do a tax form for it.

Before I registered as a c/m I had a part time nanny job 15 hrs and got help with childcare. However, my jobcentre seem to do things completly differently to any other jobcentre.

hi nutty, would you be better of going for the nursery one if its school term time as you wouldnt have to worry about all the school holidays, i know its less hours but once your in a job its easier to up your hours

Only problem ith that brandy is that it's every morning and so all 3 kids would need to go to before school club as I'd need to be there for 8:30 and unless i got another job and qualified for childcare help, there is no way I can afford 3 lots of before school club fees aswell as 3 extra nursery days for ds.

part time jobs often fall as 15 hrs because 9-5 with half hour unpaid lunch over 2 days is 15 hours. i had this problem so they agreed that i could do 9-5.30 to make it 16 hours.

nightmare for you! i thanks my lucky stars that my mother doesnt work and loves having my son for the 2mornings i work.

spose theres no chance your "lovely" ex woudl help out with the mornings! of course im joking

ROFL brandy yeah as much chance as me winning the lotto every week for a year.

He's got to look for his own job now anyway because they have stopped his incapacity

pmsl at them stopping his benefit. he he he he he!!

Yep great isn't it, about time too.

See if he actually applies for stuff now instead of just writing the ad down.

I know somebody who irons for a friend fortwo hours to make up her hours - don't know if it's legal but if she's paid for itdon't see why not

I haven't read the whole thread and it may have already been suggested. But, if the library aren't willing to pay you for an extra hour could you maybe ask to work 16 and still get the same money? I know someone else on here did that but I can't remember who. hth and good luck

Actually ZK, that's a point, yes it is legal, perfectly.

Don't know about the tax/ NI insurance implication for the friend-employer though (if any). And I guess it's got to be at least minimum wage.

That sounds a really good idea from Delgirl, it would also make you look really good in the interview from a keeness/hardworking/resourcefull and practical point of view! Also agree once you're in a job it's loads easier to up your hours, and the library may well have options for further training - ECDL, NVQs etc.

Actually I remember I did that - my job was 14 hours a week, and I asked for 16, at the same wage. Explained that it was purely for the tax credits, and I was willing to do the extra 2 hours for free, but my employers were very nice and gave me the extra money pro-rata anyway.

Would be worth a try and save you faffing with the avon books!

Hello again

I rang the library today but they said that I need to ring the council to ask them. Tbh the woman was a bit snotty and rude but nevermind.

Who do I ring at the council though ?? On the job advert there is an address for the council but no number or name.

ask for the libraries dept i guess?

Libraries are usually run by the leisure services dept. Head of leisure services?