Thinking of going part time - can someone talk to me please?

[makemineabacardi]

To set a bit of background - just became a single parent (ex will be having DC every other weekend) and DC starts primary school in September. The school has both breakfast and after school clubs. I've always worked full time, every after coming back from mat leave.

I've had a rough few months with a new boss who appears to have time-travelled from the 50's. My previous boss was fab and I loved my job but now I'm struggling. I dread going into the office every day now but the job itself I still enjoy, the pay is ok and convenient as nursery/school are nearby. Logistically it makes sense to stay there.

I'm finding that my priorities have suddenly shifted and I really want to spend more time with DC (probably a side-effect of the divorce). I'm conscious that its been a really tough time for us and I think DC needs mor of my attention.

So I'm wondering if I could afford to go part-time 9-3 to fit around school hours. I don't get tax credits now although I might do if I go part-time. There is no spousal maintenance so I wouldn't get anything from my ex (nor would I ask as I want to be independent from him as much as possible). How do you work out if its affordable?

Then there's the work element - I think it's unlikely that I'll be granted part-time work, I'm part of a tiny team (just me and the boss) and there isn't anyone able to cover my job. The boss also has some very old-fashioned views about work so I can't see a business reason for them granting it despite my long years of service and being an efficient and hard-working employee (I'm public sector). How could I make it look attractive to them too?

Lots of questions and I'm just mulling things over. Any advice for me please?

If you are public sector dont you have a right to request flexible working around caring responsibilities? And your employer has to have a good reason to say no.

Yes we do have that right but in reality its down to the discretion of the manager (my old boss would have agreed without a second thought, my new boss thinks you're shirking if you work a 9-5). Flexible working is getting refused more and more at my employer.

From their perspective, I can see they'd be able to use the 'it would affect business' argument to refuse it, which I guess is true as there's no cover for me. Dropping down by 2 hours or so a do would affect the work.

Legally they can't use a flexible working request against you. You have yo consider what will happen in practice sadly. Especially if you think you will be turned down.

Time for a new job?

I'd really rather not have to go get a new job - so much change in my personal life in recent months as it is, plus like I say the job is local, convenient, pays ok and I enjoy it. I won't get that replicated somewhere else and part-time jobs in my field are rare as hen's teeth.

I get your point though. I am keeping an eye on the job market.

Sorry I seem to keep posting under my other name. Silly me

OP, bit of a name change issue in your postings?

In terms of affordability, there are salary calculators online you can use to show how your income would be affected. You can then use those figures to complete a tax credits calculator (if you look at websites like entitledto and turn2us, they have a lot of useful info). It won't give you exact figures, but it'll be a start

Thanks avocado - I've had a look but the one I used confused me. Any recommendations for a salary calculator?

I've used these before: m.thesalarycalculator.co.uk

There are a few different ones on there; you can add in figures for deductions, pensions etc.

One of them is quite useful as it does a kind of reverse calculation where it tells you how much of a gross income you'd need to bring home a specific net amount.

Thanks avocado.