Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

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

Original poster

Why is is so hard to find a job that fits around kids

44 replies

rochee1 · 20/03/2019 21:20

Hi all, Just wanted to know why it's so hard to find part-time work that fits around kids school hours. I am very open to any kind of work just need it to be 9-2pm but have been struggling for years to find the perfect hours. I do work part-time but its only 6 hours a week which does not help at all when you're trying to survive in this day and age. My partner works full time and I want to do my bit. I do a couple of things online like sell on eBay etc to make a few extra pounds but it's not always guaranteed like a proper salary. Has anyone else found this hard especially when you really want to work and nothing is suitable? Why can't employers be more willing to offer more flexible hours for parents, especially mums?

OP posts:
Sonicknuckles · 20/03/2019 21:24

I guess it's just not in their interests is it but yeah it's shit.

BigFatGiant · 20/03/2019 21:26

its Supply and demand. There is a constant over supply of unskilledwork. So employers can set their terms and often it’s easier for them to have shifts/contracts the include time outside of schools hpitscrother because they need more workers st that time (retail/cafes etc) or because they can avoid unnecessary shift changes (e.g. secretary etc). If you want to work those kinds of hours you either have to create your own employment, be able to offer something more valuable to employers or, hope to get lucky,

maxinespalour · 20/03/2019 21:30

Does your dcs school offer wrap around care or are there any local childminders? That's how most parents get by at my school!

whitehalleve · 20/03/2019 21:33

Civil service is amazing for flexible working.

I work in central govt and it really couldn't be any more flexible. I really recommend it.

seething1234 · 20/03/2019 21:36

I worked 3 evening shifts in a local shop and Sundays. So min wage but not paying any childcare. I'm back full time and thinking of school secretary. Would that be something?

Sinuhe · 20/03/2019 21:39

Bad advice, but why not chance it? You can apply for FT Jobs and when it comes to discussion of hours in the interview ask for 25 hours. They may say no ... but it worked for me once - I ended up with 28 hours.
You can also keep in mind that you need to be with a company for 6 months, after that you can apply for reducing your hours or flexible working. Again, this world be down to luck, but sometimes it is the only way! I have done this for my current job, only I am not able to apply for it work. Been promoted twice in 8 months and the current position is ft only, with enough pay to make up for it!)

Original poster
rochee1 · 20/03/2019 21:52

Thanks for all your comments, I am a fully qualified beautician but lack experience since having qualified 9 years ago, but due to bringing up my kids I have sort of had to give it up as moved from london to a small town where theirs nothing much here and as I dont drive travelling too far is an issue. Every job I've applied for in that field have wanted me to have more experience which is frustrating as I cant gain experience if not given a chance, most of my jobs have been in retail and customer service as ive lost my confidence in beauty. I will keep looking and hopefully, something does come up. :)

OP posts:
BrusselPout · 20/03/2019 22:24

Unfortunately most businesses operate longer hours and need all of those hours covered. If they need cover until 6pm each day, 9-2 is too many hours for a job share (trying to find someone to cover 2-6 is difficult) so they either need a 9-12/12-6 job share or 9-6 full timer

The problem is most part timers want the school hours (or to have the Mondays/Fridays off if full days but less of them) which makes it really difficult to cover the full time position, so many companies just default to full time when they are recruiting as it is less hassle (and the reality is that they can get people to do it)

I'm not saying that is right, but it is (one of) the reasons that it is difficult to find school hours roles, and those that come up have LOADS of applicants

BrusselPout · 20/03/2019 22:26

The maths was a bit off there, but it illustrates what I'm saying!!

Sonicknuckles · 21/03/2019 07:25

Have you thought about working for yourself at offering treatments at home?

Boom76 · 21/03/2019 07:29

There’s always weekend and evening work. That’s what I had to do

BikeRunSki · 21/03/2019 07:36

Could you set up as a mobile beautician?

Hollowvictory · 21/03/2019 07:38

Beautician is an easy one to get part time work it's the fact you don't have exp which is the issue. Cou you do some work experience or some free treatments to get ex?

Loopytiles · 21/03/2019 07:39

You say partner not husband: are you married? If not, unless you personally have plenty of money, suggest seeking FT work and childcare, and to share the parenting. Otherwise you willhave high financial risk, short and long term.

pootyisabadcat · 21/03/2019 07:44

What Loopy said. So many people sleepwalk into this and then the 'partner' splits with them and they're screwed. And now it's all UC, they're extra screwed.

It's not hard to find work that 'fits round kids'. Not at all. There's evening and weekend work, childcare options as yours are in school or nursery for 5 hours a day.

You have a partner, so you two work round each other and organise childcare accordingly. He's a parent and equally responsible for childcare as you are.

ScreamingValenta · 21/03/2019 07:45

I think the issue is that lots of people want those hours and, if available, they tend to be snapped up by existing employees who've put in a flexible working request so there is no need to recruit externally to fill them.

pootyisabadcat · 21/03/2019 07:46

Retail and customer service are not 9-2 M-F jobs. You're going to have to think outside the box here.

anniehm · 21/03/2019 07:48

Keep looking I've had three school hour jobs, I currently work 20 hours flexible, but prior I worked 9.30-2.30 mon -Thursday and mum worked 9-3 3 days a week.

anniehm · 21/03/2019 07:51

But why don't you go self employed in your area - sahm, older people etc, go to their homes and use the money to invest in driving lessons. When I lived in a village their was the mum who did spray tans, the mum who did nails, the one who sold Anne summers, Avon etc ..,

jaynelovesagathachristie · 21/03/2019 07:51

Teach English online. Do a tefl online and start applying.

Loopytiles · 21/03/2019 07:53

Or work traditional hours, share the parenting and use paid childcare. Being financially dependent on a man isn’t good if you’re not married.

Theducksarenotmyfriends · 21/03/2019 07:54

If there's nothing much going on in your small town you could be self employed offering beauty treatments? Bet the women there would love it if there's not much going on there anyway!

SushiGo · 21/03/2019 07:56

Why aren't you using breakfast/afterschool childcare of some kind? That's what most parents working more than a few hours do?

I do know people who worked 9-2 but they were all in the role for a while or particularly qualified so could negotiate that.

We use after school care and my DH (works full time) collects the dc half the week from there.

Effic · 21/03/2019 07:56

We advertised 3 x school hour jobs (& no work in the school holidays). Over £13.50 per hour and local govt pension but couldn’t fill them as it’s apparently not enough hours. So we’ve had to rethink and go for 2 x “full time” hours instead.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 21/03/2019 08:02

When I used to recruit, nine times out of ten, we needed the end of the day covering. We might have been able to accommodate part time but would have needed, say, 12-5 instead of 9-2. Existing staff wanted to shorten their working day/change their hours and they took priority.

The best way is to get your foot in the door, work the hours they need and then look for flexibility. I've been lucky, I started doing 9-5 3 days a week and 12-8 the other 2. Then I swapped to 8-4. Now I work full time with very flexible hours (generally 8-4 but can work from home when I want, take some time during the day and catch up elsewhere).

Also, it's not only parents that want flexible hours so there are an awful lot of people competing for the same thing.