Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

Original poster

I don't think it's worth it!!

20 replies

papalazaru · 08/03/2015 08:42

I have been a SAHM for the past 13 years most of which has been on expat postings. I'm now thinking of returning to work part time as my kids are older. I've got an interview for a job related to the field in which I used to work. So I started looking at the numbers and by the time I have covered all factors like travel and childcare I would be making only £50 for a full 10 hour day including travel. It can't be worth it - can it???? Surely I'd be better off waiting for something local to come up? I don't really know what I'm asking - I'm just really disappointed. I should have chosen a better paying area of work all those years ago.....

OP posts:

Phoenixfrights · 08/03/2015 08:44

Well, it rather depends on your family circs. How old are the kids and what is the current family income/ expenditure?

What are the prospects for promotion?

Stealthpolarbear · 08/03/2015 08:45

hy do you want/need to work?
how old are your dc?
£50 per day is not that bad imo!

EdithWeston · 08/03/2015 08:46

It can be worth it, because you are getting back on the ladder you want to be on. Finding the re-entry job can be the hardest bit. Once you've got back into the workplace it will be easier to move to the (hopefully higher paid or at least more convenient) posts that would suit you better.

And don't look at the childcare costs as just "yours". It's a family expense.

Phoenixfrights · 08/03/2015 08:47

Also do you mean £50 per day after childcare, travel and tax? TBH that isn't so bad considering you have been out of the workforce for 13 yrs ...

crispycookie · 08/03/2015 08:55

You need to look at the longer term... When I went back to work (took redundancy), I took a PT flexible undemanding role that would fit round the children (they still went into child care once or twice a week). My exH left and I had to go FT, by then, I had proven myself to my boss and could still work flexibly and got a promotion on top. I'm leaving my job and I've been offered another fairly high level flexible role in another company... If I have been out of a job all this time (five years), I doubt I could have walked into the type of job that offers the flexibility that I have now. Again, I think £50 post all expenses isn't bad!

Undecidedhousemove · 08/03/2015 09:38

Up to you but could be good start. Ive had some time out too and started new role a month ago, if i take all the burden of childcare, i net quite a lot less than you! This os for a theoretically reasonably paying job - but expensive childcare (nanny) and commuting costs equate to what £12k of my net salary?! BUT i want/need to stand on my own two feet, accrue pension again, have work status, be valued for what j do, have a break from domestic drudgery and restart my career. Am on £10k less than s decade ago in a local job but i think for my first role i dont have the liberty of choice. Feel lucky to have the offer of an interesting, meaningful role.

LadyBlaBlah · 08/03/2015 09:39

Yes its worth it

It's not just about the money

And as pp said, why do you consider the childcare to be YOUR cost?

lavendersun · 08/03/2015 09:44

I think that OP is considering the cost of childcare because it is an additional cost that she doesn't currently have so any monetary benefit of going back to work will be net of that particular cost.

Undecidedhousemove · 08/03/2015 10:16

I do both costings. Plus in view of opportunity cost of continuing NOT to work - loss of pension, independence and future earning potential, it's a no-brainer for me.

pantpickerupper · 08/03/2015 11:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pantpickerupper · 08/03/2015 11:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TrojanWhore · 08/03/2015 11:38

"I think that OP is considering the cost of childcare because it is an additional cost that they don't currently have so any monetary benefit of going back to work will be net of that particular cost."

Fixed that for you. It's a family cost, not her cost.

And of course the benefits of working are not just the amount of cash in the first few months of rejoining the workforce.

She might have been the one who made the childcare arrangements so far, perhaps because she was the one who had more time available so to do. But it's a joint responsibility even when tasks are discussed and allocated to one partner or the other. And of course, arrangements need regular review, especially when a huge change (all DC finishing primary) is in the offing.

Momagain1 · 08/03/2015 11:45

Sounds like a good start if your goal is to return to your career, child care costs will gradually drop as any promotions come along, in 2-4 years your net could be twice that or more.

But it sounds like a bunch of extra effort if your goal is to earn just some cash to add to the short term spending account , in other words, pocket money.

And if your goal is to just have something that isnt mum and housewife, then volunteer anywhere but the school.

Lemondrizzletwunt · 08/03/2015 11:51

Maybe I'm missing something, but £50 per day for three days, for example is £600 per month...I couldn't afford to turn that kind of money down.

Original poster

papalazaru · 08/03/2015 12:18

It's actually only 2 days and I get that it would be difficult to turn that down but it isn't really about the money for me. It's about the long term benefit of getting back to work and whether effectively working for very little is worth the upheaval it will cause. We don't have any nearby family to rely on when kids are ill or if trains are delayed etc. The commute would be over an hour each way. After school care would be at school with a prompt finish at 6 and no flexibility.

OP posts:

Stealthpolarbear · 08/03/2015 12:43

s £50 per day after tax and childcare that little

lavendersun · 08/03/2015 13:14

"I think that OP is considering the cost of childcare because it is an additional cost that they don't currently have so any monetary benefit of going back to work will be net of that particular cost."

As the OP had talked about herself I presumed it was her decision, based on her own sums, do carry on.

Original poster

papalazaru · 15/03/2015 08:02

Just thought I'd update - all your comments were very helpful to put my decision in context so thank you. I am going to take the job. It is not about the money it's about me. Waiting for the interview I had a really good feeling about it all and realised it was what I wanted and I'd make it work in order to have something that is mine, away from the house and kids and school and dog and husband etc.

OP posts:

Laineya52 · 15/03/2015 19:00

I know what you mean about the cost of childcare vs going back yo work but for me being at work is a big part of feeling good about myself!

Have you thought about options for working from home? I'm very lucky to have a job I can do part time (approx 15 hours per week) from home which I absolutely love!!!

Was quite daunting at first because it was all completely new to me but they gave me fab training and I'm finding lots of my colleagues are in a similar situation so I'm building a network of friends as well! ??

Might be worth seeing if something like that might be an option for you?

Good luck with whatever you decide x

MoonHare · 15/03/2015 19:04

Interesting to see your thread - I started a similar one in 'chat' earlier today. I have the same dilemma only my take home would be £40 per week. If it was £50 per day I think I would certainly take it and be feeling loaded!! I think you're doing the right thing especially as your children are older. For me, I'm still pondering where the line is between not enough/enough of a financial reward to make it worthwhile.

Flip