academic staff- over here, please! Really need advice on going part-time

[sappak]

The long and short of it-- I'm due to return from mat leave (2nd baby) this Nov, really don't want to go back full-time, and am wondering if there is any way to work out a part-time arrangement. I'm not from the UK, and unfortunately I don't know the system particularly well. But I've never heard of anyone in my faculty on a part-time contract. Is it possible?

Just to flesh out the details, as I'm not sure what might be relevant: I'm a lecturer in the social sciences in a London, Russell Group uni. My first book came out last year (in between DD1 and DD2:), has been very well reviewed, and is up for a major prize in my field. But I haven't done any new research or writing since DD1 was born, and I don't see myself managing to do very much in the short-term: research in my area involves intensive field work in a difficult part of the world, and I am, admittedly, a painfully slow writer. Longer-term, in a few year's time, I do genuinely look forward to going back to a serious research program. But I just don't see doing it with the baby and a toddler - or rather, I just don't want to do it. When I went back after DD1, I was working 60 hours/week - typically, I know.

There are no other junior women with children in my immediate cohort- a few older colleagues with older kids who managed it all... I don't think they'd be esp sympathetic if I approached them for advice. Not being from the UK - and having been pregnant/on mat leave/dealing with young children for most of my time here -- I haven't made many contacts or friends. And so I'm hoping for some MN wisdom! Thanks, sappak (namechanged for this)

I work in science faculty of a RG university. P/T is relatively commonplace. Big question at the moment would be how you look in relation to REF return? The idea of not following a research programme would lead to a discussion about teaching only contracts here, unless your area means you have a filing cabinet of stuff you can use to produce things?

I'm all right for REF 2014 (have been approved for a 2 item submission, which I have, because of the two mat leaves), but I'm not sure what would happen for the next one if I went part-time. My thought was that if my workload were reduced by 50%, my REF requirement would be as well? The research in my field is individual, just me and my stuff-- very unlike the hard sciences. So my dropping off the intensity of my research program wouldn't have any direct implications for my colleagues, iyswim.

I'm a senior researcher in a RG university. The current REF allows you to drop one submission for each period of maternity leave (as you know) and also pro-rata for part time working ... so part-time working is acknowledged and appropriate allowance made. It is very common to work PT especially for the first few years after having children - going back FT is probably more unusual! However, the rules on both maternity leave and PT working this keep changing for each REF and its unclear what would happen in the future (or even if there will be another REF). I wouldn't worry about this though - just do what you want to do, as you will have time for research in the future.

I'm sorry to hear the older women with kids would not give any sympathetic advice where you are (I would try to!) They may not feel like they are really "managing it all" either!

It's interesting that you both say PT is common, marialuisa and Jules125. I wonder why no one in my faculty seems to have it- perhaps an institutional thing (variation of university-wide attitudes or policies). My understanding of the law is that I have a right to ask for PT, they have a right to accept or refuse, and that the fact of asking shouldn't prejudice them against me. Does that sound right?

Also, I'm eligible for a one-term release from teaching after maternity leave to help re-start my research program. At the moment, I'm slated to take this winter term (2013), but I'm not sure how to handle this if I'm attempting to get a PT arrangement. I suppose I should talk to them about the PT request now, and if they accept, then I won't get the sabbatical? My one close colleague here (in my field, but at another university) suggested that I take the sabbatical first (working as I wish--and I would like to work, just not 60- hour weeks!) and then request PT, as both as within my rights. But this approach strikes me as one likely to generate ill will and, to be honest, I already feel a bit uncomfortable with my position here: basically, I got pregnant within months of being hired and have been on mat leave for much of my 5 years here. (And being a foreigner is also a factor, though it's hard to say precisely how. Perhaps because I was brought in at some expense and with some hassle from abroad.)

Would appreciate any further advice!

I think your understanding is correct. You could also ask for a time-limited contract variation (i.e. a reduction to PT for 1, 2 years or whatever). The reason for this is the cuts to university funding could make it more difficult for women who go part-time to ever get back to full time (should they ever want this) in the future. One woman in my research centre has this arrangement. I don't know much about sabbaticals (don't have that option any more) but I think your colleague's advice is probably sensible. PT working is common where I am (even some of the dad's have worked PT for a while when kids were young!) but this culture does vary between faculties and institutions.

PS I was pregnant when I took up my senior post, took 13 month off and will be taking another (though much shorter period of maternity leave - as I'm transferring half my time to my husband) from November less than a year after returning. I understand your anxiety but you and your colleagues need to take a long term view (I'm assuming your post is at least potentially a long-term / permanent one). I did manage to do a bit of work (a few papers and grant applications and a bit of teaching to help out) during my year's maternity leave. This was hard sometimes but does help to re-iterate your commitment, if you can manage it.

I am also too old to wait to have kids!

good luck

Thanks for your help. My post is a permanent one, at least by design that is, I'm off probation, am about to get indefinite leave to remain in the UK and will be applying for citizenship, and have no intentions of leaving. My own perspective is definitely long-term: I really do want to get back to a robust work life in the future; I'm actually looking forward to it! I just don't want to do it in the very short-term. I suppose the question is how I can make this case to the people in charge. I appreciate your advice about asking for a time-limited arrangementthat makes a lot of sense.