Hi there...
I currently work as a lawyer....I worked in the city for some years and then moved out to the suburbs and have a seemingly good (p/t) job locally....I am over 10 years qualified.
At work I am in a small team....it has reduced in numbers over the years. I am feeling more and more under pressure to do vastly more than my part time role (there is someone who picks up the work on my days "off") but even then I feel "on call" constantly (transactions still go on when you're not in the office) and then am expected to do "extra" things - marketing events and seminars and writing articles....and constantly reminded of this by a boss who is a micro manager.
I suspect if (a) I didn't have children and had no time issues with pick up and drop offs at nursery/childminder (b) I had more "free" time when I'm not at work (c) hadn't had my pay cut due to economy and told that would be reflected in having my hours reduced although this really isn't true in practice (d) didn't have a husband in a pretty pressured job himself (he's the one up the ladder) (e) I often feel complete irritation with the pettiness of the higher powers at work (!) ..... I might feel slightly better about it all.
The kids are pre school and primary ages...homewise, DH has a very demanding job which has him working early, late and often evenings after he's come home. He does what he can , but we did agree that it would be me who would take the more "back seat" position with regard to moving up the career ladder which then means that on the days when I am at home, I pick up the domestic slack and deal with everything probably bar putting the bins out !...
Personally, I like going to work but as jobs in my particular area are few and far between I think my employer thinks she has me over a barrel and that we should somehow be grateful to have a part time role....I am often reminded how such a part time role is not "brilliant " ie inconvenient....(female, certain age, no kids). Financially, it is nice to have the money coming in but if I was perfectly honest, I am lucky that we are not dependent on it and as a result I suppose it is not the money that motivates me but having something outside of the home does and getting some sort of (cliche I know) work life balance. As you can see that work /life balance isn't quite happening.
I suspect I am not alone in this and am going through a "is the grass greener on another side" moment. I also wonder whether I am scared of giving up but actually could be happier.....
However, as you can see it has got me wondering what to do....whether I stick it out until either I work it out or am perhaps even made redundant or whether I think about other things I could do.....retrain...
I would love to hear your thoughts/stories....