Currently on maternity leave and due to go back in January. We're having a restructure at work and the hours I currently work may not be available when I go back or, at least, there may be a reduction in hours which would significantly reduce my wage.
At the moment I work four evenings a week, 5 hours shifts starting at 6pm. I have two children (4 and 6 months) and my DH works in an area where his days off aren't fixed every week and he works most weekends.
I have the opportunity to work 3 night shifts in a row then have 7 days off. The shifts would be 9 hour shifts with start times varying from 5pm to 10pm (this changes each set and I would know my shifts a year in advance).
If I were to do this I would lose approx £100 a month but would be under the tax threshold so DH could make use of some of my allowance I believe?
I have childcare available so sleep when on nights is not an issue. I've also been a shift worker for 19 years so I know I can handle shifts, that's not a problem. My role is a 24/7 one so if my working day falls on Christmas, New Year, bank holiday etc I have to work regardless of my shift pattern.
What would you all do? Four evenings a week every week so only able to put the kids to bed three nights a week and would only see my eldest for an hour after school on these days? Or 3 on, 7 off but working nights? I need to make a decision by the end of this month. We're swaying towards me doing the 3 on, 7 off at the minute because the prospect of a week off out of 10 days is very appealing but not sure if we're being blinded by that.
Thanks in advance.