would you return to my job? please help must decide...

[missytequila]

my maternity leave is coming to an end and I don't know what to do...

the position is only part time and I don't particularly like it, its just not challenging or interesting, nor is it really furthering my career..and I would barely make any profit when I pay for childcare...

so my husband says forget it, he would rather pay me than a childminder

but i am hesitating. I am worried about taking time off all together and how that affects me going back into the workforce after a few years off... i feel like its better to stay working even if its part time... is that correct? I could look for another job but its so tough out there... so part of me says a crap job is better than nothing at all..

but the other half says why work and make no money?..
what would you do?

If you want to work, look for a job that you like.

If you are not under any financial pressure to work it doesn't matter if it takes a while.

I gave up work 10 years ago, I had a well paid job I loved but couldn't tear myself away from DS, I am now finding it very hard to get back into work.

I took 18 months off and only went back into work this August as I was a forces wife..DS was 4!

A huge gap is hard but don't give up a year or so of this time and opportunity if you can manage - either retrain or study part time, then you can put on your CV that you were keeping abreast of developments and opportunities.

I interview and employ staff and it doesn't put me off as long as you use your time constructively and are confident in interview that you can get back on the wagon so to speak!

Good luck with your decision...

To be completely, completely honest - a gap of a few years on your CV for ANY reason doesn't look brilliant.

I work in recruitment and have seen how a significant percentage of employers react to gaps. It isn't prejudice, it's simply the, "This person hasn't done this job, or worked in a commercial setting, for 4 years ... hmmm"

BUT if your current job isn't great, then maternity leave is a brilliant time to rethink the career path and maybe go in a new direction.

If you want to take a significant amount of time off, as Binfull said, use it to retrain or to study or something, so that the CV still looks full.

I think I would keep my hand in the employment market. If you don't like your current job you can always look for a new one, but by returning after your maternity leave you will be showing that you are serious about work and uphold your end of the bargain, after all it's called maternity leave & the undertsanding is that you return to work at the end. On a practical point if you don't return you may need to repay some of the money you've received.

Personally I would be concerned about a partner that said, 'why work and make no money' as he's wrong. You will be working and earning money. Then out of your joint earnings you will pay for the childcare you both need to work (or do the children magically look after themselves for him?)

Earning your own money also gives you some independence. You only have to consider the statistics for the number of marriages that break down to see how important that is.

"Earning your own money also gives you some independence. You only have to consider the statistics for the number of marriages that break down to see how important that is."

Or look at how a bad stroke of luck can put paid to the best laid plans - e.g. my own mum, housewife of 20 years, dad took ill in early 50s, despite having an ok job when she gave up work to look after me and my brothers, she's basically in a minimum wage job (because she's competing with all the computer-trained younger folk now) and barely able to meet the morgage. No national insurance contributions to speak of, no earning power, no pension in her name, NOTHING. And what caused this? Not divorce, not self inflicted trauma like gambling or affairs - simply a genetic illness that has meant my father is unable to work now. So don't just look at marriage breakdown, there are plenty of things in this world that, unfortunately, can disrupt the single-earner-single-carer setup that seems so logical when kids are young.

Agree with the others. Its worth keeping your hand in with work. And if you don't enjoy your job, look on that as an opportunity to look for something you do enjoy, rather than as an excuse to just give up.

I too think it is worth keeping your hand in work. I would suggest going back and see how you feel. If nothing has changed in your job speak to your manager and tell him/ her your concerns about your job, that not stimulating, rewarding, progressing career and ask if there is any better positions or any increased responsibilities you can take on to try and progress.

In the meantime look for another job so that if you dont get anywhere in your current job a better opportunity might come up.

If you really are finding that after a few months you feel that working is not the right choice for you or your family then you can always leave. At least you know you will have tried working and will feel better about making the decision to stay at home.

You won't find it so easy to get another pt job in this market. You might have to go ft and then try to work your way back down to pt.

Without relevant current experience, you will also find it difficult to get a job in this market. So beware of taking an indefinite break.

Go back after maternity leave, and look for another job whilst still in a job. It could take longer than you think. In the meantime, there will be no gaps in your CV.

I have been in your shoes!- I went back to a part time job I didn't really enjoy when I left it. By the time I had paid for nursery fees I was no better off.
But it was the best thing I ever did. Once LO was in school (no more nursery fees!) the money made a huge difference to our lives and I actually had a new lease of life.
Ended up being promoted to another part-time role which I love! This would never have happened if I had given up work earlier. I know it's hard right now but look at the longer term picture. Keep your skills up and always keep your independence.
I love DH to bits and trust him to always look after us all financially but I am confident if anything went wrong I can support DS & I on my own.

Also, the worst time to make a decision about your career is at the end of maternity leave. You are still in a baby fug.

I fought tooth and nail with my employer at the end of my first maternity leave (flexible working). It was after I went back that I realised how much I missed work and being myself again and getting a little bit of my life back. Even the commute was heavenly. It still is ...