WWYD? Returning to work

[cowboylover]

I was working full time before I went on maternity leave and have decided to return after 11 months off.

Financially I don't need to go back but would like to and my company has offered me 3 days a week in my old role which is great because I get to have more time at home than work but......

Today I was called if I would like to interview for a promotion role but it do decide to interview it means working 4 days a week but in a job I would really like to do?

I know I have to make my own mind up but has anyone been in this situation and what did you do?

The things I'm concerned about are;
If I do it; Spending to much time at work, Missing out on being with DD and taking too much on as we are also buying a renovation house.
If I don't do it; Regreting it as it might not come available again for a long time and resenting the more basic role?

Argh that was longer than I thought it was going to be!!

I went to a 4-day week after DC1 and have just gone down to a 3-day week after DC2.

When I was a 4-day weeker, I was in line for the next promotion. That's all gone to pot now that I'm on 3 days a week - I no longer manage people, have taken a step backwards in terms of my career and will not be considered for promotion unless I up my days.

I was initially a bit sad that I will be treading water at work and not progressing. But I also think that I'm keeping my hand in and there'll be time for me to work on my career when DC are older and more self-sufficient.

I'm enjoying working 3 days more than I did the 4 days. With 4 days, you tend to get the same workload as before and you put pressure on yourself to prove that you can manage the workload. With 3 days, it's clear I can't be expected to manage a full-time workload and it's been easier to combine work and home life.

The downside with 3 days is that I'm not as 'present' in the working week. I'm thinking of switching to 4 shorter days so I can do school pick-up and spend more tme each day with my pre-schooler - but I wouldn't have considered this if I didn't have a school age child.

Thanks for taking the time for such a detailed reply as it has really helped me think and such a great point that im sure it's going to be a full time job squeezed in to 4 days.

I would echo the point re full days as it's 'practically' full time, so unless they actively make the job part time, you're likely to have a full time workload (depending on type of job obviously!). I did 4 days for a few months after returning after dc2, but went up to full time and that was so much easier re managing workload and being less stressed. I do love my job though & am v happy working full time as have good support at home & with childcare arrangements which makes the work life balance easier. Good luck - it really is such a personal decision that only you know what's best for you and your family.

Meant four days rather than full days in first sentence!

I guess it depends on how important your job/ career is to you? I've been back at work 9 months now and am contracted to do 3 days a week but did 4 days a week for a month over the summer, and do so occasionally if other people in the team are away or there is a big project on.

4 days a week is practically full-time but from a work point of view is more fulfilling I think. I have been promoted since I've been back - but my boss said he'd put me up (I had to go for interview)no matter how many days I was doing. Always nice to hear!

echoing Tooblunt - if you have good support at home that helps, if you don't it may be too much. I am lucky to have my mum round the corner to help with nursery drop-offs and pick-ups when work is manic - and has DD one day a week anyway. DH is also relatively understanding when he's not sitting on tractors for 24 hours (he's a farmer)

I guess you also need to think about financial considerations - for me it would be worthwhile financially to do 4 days, but I think the work-life balance for me is better on 3 days with the ability to 4 to add some more money in there occasionally! I'm also 4 months pg with no. 2 so I think 4 days a week would be too much on top of looking after a crazy toddler for other part of the week and trying to keep a semblance of a life.

good luck with the decision!

My experience echoes everyone else's and I would say that 3 days a week with a baby/young toddler is better than 4 for the following reasons:

• you get a truer part time job rather than a full time job
• less pressure
• more flexibility when they are ill (ie less days to worry about!)
• more time to do stuff at home

I would say that once they are at school or even preschool 5 shorter days works better and that's what I would be planning to do longer term! Difficult to pass up a promotion but you do have to think it's only short term! It also depends what promotion it is and how much more money they offer you - it's easy to make jobs look glamorous but when it comes down to it you need to feel that the money in your pocket is worthwhile!

For example I was in a similar position to you, going for a director role instead of a managerial one. It sounded extremely glamorous but then I calculated that it only meant a payrise of about 200 pounds a month, which considering the hugely increased levels of stress and demands wasn't really worth it at the time tbh.

Good luck with whatever you decide!