Part time to full time

[readyfreddie]

I currently work 30 hours over 3 days. My days are long but each working week I get 2 whole days to myself while dcs at school. I do love this time and get to enjoy 2 days with them every school holiday. (one's 12 and one's 14). Problem is I am very unhappy in my current department and desperately looking for a new job within the same Trust (NHS). All suitable vacancies are mostly full time. I have just applied for a full-time post 37.5 hours over 5 days. It is a band higher than what I'm on (could really do with the money) but it's 5 days!! I know I'll miss my 3 day week but would appreciate the shorter days. Will I regret it if I'm offered it and take it? I am very indecisive

I don't know but in exactly the same boat. I've made peace with the decision that full time is looming if I want to do something that I find fulfilling or interesting

Is there any scope to do it in 4 days? Might be a compromise.

Can you buy extra holiday for the school hols.

Thanks for the replies. It does say to work over 5 days in the job description and I think there will be plenty of applicants who want this. Maybe I could request further down the line if successful but no guarantees. You can buy extra annual leave as long as no back fill is required for your post but this post would require it so prob wouldn't be an option.

Hmm i dont think i would tbh. Youve got so luttle time left eith your children before theyre adults, i think id be making the absolute most of those two days in the holidays. Could you look at other ways to make a days pay while theyre at school?

It's more a case of desperately wanting to change jobs because I'm so unhappy in my current one (although we could really use the extra money) . I've been looking for ages and any suitable ones all seem to be full time. Seems they don't favour part time workers any more. You are right about missing them in the school hols. They still like spending time with me even though they are older and we do have fun.

Can you try to negotiate different hours at offer stage?

I could try if I get that far. Not sure what would be a reasonable request?

Go for the job if successful then you can ask...

Just A thought OP but my contract is full time term time with three days a week school holidays. Mine is a teenager and there’s so many theme parks we haven’t done yet

And my job is quieter in school hols but may not be the case for you

Or feet under the door then request shorter hours once you’re through probation

Most managerial job in the NHS will be advertised FT but you can sometimes negotiate, it all depends on the workload and role and whether the job could be carried out in 4 days.

You can ask at interview making it clear that you will still be very interested to work FT. Despite this though they could question your full commitment and go against you if another candidate is also very good and has responded they are already working FT and happy to continue.

You can wait until you're offered the job and negotiate then but you risk your boss to be a bit annoyed. Still it most likely be a straight yes it no. Of you can wait for some time, assess if it is likely to be well received or not before asking and also see if maybe you are OK with FT after all if happy with the job.

I too want to go on 4 days but am waiting a year to bring it up, firstly to prove I'm indispensable so they rather have me on 4 days than not at all, but also to put some money aside to have a buffer.