What value do you place on working part time?

[Jellybean81]

I've just had a year of mat leave with my pfb. Due to redundancy risk I put feelers out there and I've just received a job offer for a 3day a week role. It's doing what I'm specialist in, with a great company but the pay is about 33% less than equivalent full time role. I'm in the running for a few higher paid full time roles but haven't had interviews confirmed yet.

It would be a squeeze to get by on the reduced salary but we'd manage if we cut back.

I guess my question is what value would you place on those extra 2 days with dc? Or do I turn it down and keep looking?

If you can afford it, do it. Once your child goes to school you'll need to pay alot for breakfast/ after school/ holiday clubs anyway so your days off will sve you in the long run.
I'm a part time secondary teacher and have two children in nursery. I don't bring much home after fees but we need that money and have tighened our belts to avoid debt.
Looking at the big picture I enjoy my reduced role at school and am no longer fed up teaching, enjoy the time with the children and have quality family time at weekends.

I work 3 days, I miss my boys so much when I'm at work, they are m coming 1 and 2. I do Monday Wednesday and Thursday. Really feel I wouldn't see hem if I didn't have the other days off. We aren't exactly on the breadline but I can find it tight each month as we like our luxuries, I'd want to spend as much time with my kids as possible when they are young. Maybe when they start school a full time roll would be better

Sorry if I haven't been clear. I'll be the only one doing what I do - think head of quality or health and safety type role- so no risk of comparison with peers. The FTE salary is 33% less than the equivalent in another organisation and this carries through to the pro rated offer I've received for 3 days a week. They're not breaking any laws but I think they have underestimated the market or more likely priced in the rarity of this type of part time role.

I'm struggling with this as previously I was the main breadwinner but took a big pay cut to move to a less stressful sector to get pregnant as I had a few baby losses in my high paid stressful job. The fte is a bit more than the role that I'm being made redundant from but nowhere back up to where I was or where equivalent roles are. My DP isn't much help with this, when I tried to discuss this morning he said 'well if you take it you're going to have to massively adjust your lifestyle' we haven't pooled our finances just splitting the bills, I buy most of the things for the baby. If I take this job he becomes the main earner so this would have to change.

Hopefully this makes a bit more sense!

If you aren't married, don't share finances, and he expects you to take all the financial hit from this, then please, please don't.

Why aren't you already pooling resources when you have already taken a salary cut and a full year of mat leave?

If you are listening to what he's telling you, he is being very helpful.

You're on your own.

Make your choices accordingly.

Agree with Doinit on this. You have a child together, is he up for sharing all the responsibility (financial and practical) or not? If not then IMO you need to stay full-time as he may not hang around.

Why is he saying you not we?

I'll be discussing that comment with him tonight! I didn't insist on pooling resources as until recently I was in a strong financial position and frankly it wasn't an issue. I've used up most of my savings to have the full year off so yes I do feel a bit less secure so comments like that are a red flag. We're OK at the moment but My main worry is being able to cover the mortgage should the relationship end. The job I've been offered won't do this.

The company have said they can't move on the money on offer but they will review after my probation period, although they won't commit to any increase in writing.

I've been weighing up the pros and cons.
Pros

• For me the biggest pro is time with my little one, I don't feel ready to go back to work at all let alone full time. I know not everyone feels this way but after the slog of the new baby months I'm really having fun.

• Only working 3 days a week will help me relax a bit on childcare. My mum is adamant she can manage full time but I don't think this is realistic long term.

• could be a positive career move as delivering the strategy would boost my reputation and I would be back out of the public sector

Cons

• money would be tight and I'd be more vulnerable financially than I'd be comfortable with

• next mat pay would be calculated on the low pro rata amount

I'd def go part time if you can afford it etc.

I was 3 days post maternity at a major blue chip. Big advantages of a big firm with good sick pay, bonus, carers leave and other "package" benefits . Now up to 0.75 fte. If you like the role, this might be a good foot in the door do an awesome job and then negotiate hard in 6 months or at probation point

I went back to work 3 days a week when dd was 14 months old. I really think it's the best of both worlds. You get to keep an hand in the professional world and spend time with your DC. It's even better now DD is at school as it means I get 2 days of downtime plus I get to meet her teacher and the other school mums at pick up so I can have a better overview of what's happening at school. I think it's hard when you work full time and you never get to meet the teacher and your dc misses out on play dates etc.

How did he contribute financially to you looking after your child full time for the past year?

I think it is a massive red flag when a woman has to use her savings to fund her maternity leave.

You are too vulnerable financially to work for so little.

The considerable sacrifice in earning power you have already made is all yours. He has had every benefit, no drawback.

Why doesn't he go part time for a while and you top your savings bsck up while he spends his own?

Hi,

I have just returned to work FT after spending the last 11 years working part time (3 days). I am mum to two children (boy 12, girl 8). You do get the best of both worlds. Working FT with a young family is tough and, if you can afford it, take the part time role. You won't pay as much tax and you may not lose as much money as you think, plus you will save on childcare bills.

I wouldn't have changed a thing and I am glad I worked part time for so long.
You do feel 2nd class compared to full timers (and that is hard) but you have to see past that.

I felt invisible in a PT role. On the other hand I hated never being available for DCs' assemblies etc when FT. FT is better for your career though.

I missed your latest post. If you're not sure about the strength of your relationship, FT and financial security every time.

Thanks for all your comments, pt does sound great. I'm wary about being dependent on someone else financially having grown up in a very chaotic household. But any shortfall would be temporary - I know what my rate should be and would move if the review doesn't meet my expectations. My redundancy has been confirmed so that answers the question as I definitely can't afford to be sahm. I will keep looking - have any of you ever said yes to a job then turned it down for another offer?

My eldest is 14 and unless I had no choice at all I would never work full time again. I currently work about 3.5 days a week with 1.5 days from home in a senior director level role. There's no way my family could function properly or I could give my kids what they need if I worked FT