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Original poster

Now what do we do?

15 replies

LowFat · 15/10/2007 13:55

Dh is a postie - once the backlog from the recent strikes is cleared his hours will be changed from 5am -1pm to 6.15am - 2.15pm
I work 5 hours and my employer is quite flexible.

I dont drive and rely on him to take me to and from work as well as looking after our children in the afternoons

To try and accomodate his new hours into our routines he has been working his 40 minute break and on his rota (1 in 6 weeks) week off, I now build up enough lieu to only work 4.30 hours a day work so he can pick me up at 6.30 as opposed to 7 or later if he did'nt work his break.

This week RM now announce that the 40 minute breaks are to be split and 20 minutes taken in the morning and 20 minutes at the end of the shift if wished.

MY emplyer has been brill up to now, but is now saying that to work past 6.30 is not 'desirable' as it is outside of core hours - understandable. And that a further reduction in my hours either by building more lieu or actually cutting hours and taking a paycut is not worth thier while as I cannot serve the business.

I am at my wits end - what else can we do?

OP posts:
donnie · 15/10/2007 13:58

why don't you learn to drive?

Original poster
LowFat · 15/10/2007 14:04

Cost....and I took my test once and failed - I am nervous about driving and know I would not make a good driver - trust me the roads are a far safer place with me in the passenger seat!

I would get public transport home but the serive is basically non-existent passed 5.30pm.

Also that doesnt help me with what I do with the children? DH and I share care.

OP posts:
lalaa · 15/10/2007 14:14

sounds like a logistics nightmare. i think you need to start from scratch and consider all your options - him new job, you new job, finding childcare, etc, etc, etc

donnie · 15/10/2007 14:25

yes I agree. Personally I think the postal service is not going to be a reliable employer from now on so maybe he should start looking.

rebelmum1 · 15/10/2007 15:11

Oh dear it looks like you'll have to
a) Learn to drive and possibly get a childminder for the afternoons
b) Leave your job
or c) become a childminder then you can care for your kids and still have an income without needing to drive

rebelmum1 · 15/10/2007 15:13

don't give up on learning to drive though it's incredibly liberating and the nervous bit doesn't last long once you get into the swing of things. I was a late starter and took a weeks course, I passed my test on the 3rd time. But that week taught me to drive - it was then just a question of polishing my skills.

dramaqueen · 15/10/2007 15:16

SO you could get the bus there and your dh pick you up when you finish at 6.30? Can't see what the problem is

Original poster
LowFat · 15/10/2007 15:46

DQ it's a 45 minute bus journey to work as oppsed to a 10 minute drive as the bus goes all round the sodding houses!
Once again extending my day whicb my boss now refuses and causing DH to bring DC's out whe they should be getting ready for bed!

OP posts:
dooley1 · 15/10/2007 15:52

what is your job?
what will you do when the children are at school?
It isn't really realistic to rely on so many variables tbh

rebelmum1 · 15/10/2007 16:31

Yes your completely be-holden to it. You need to have more control over it. What if your hubby was ill now, how would you get to work?

Original poster
LowFat · 15/10/2007 17:05

I work 5 hours a day flexible working - but only to a point. If DH was sick he wouod still be looking after DC's - just like I would be . But he would be home with them so Icould leave in time to get the bus and it's 45 minute journey.

DD doesnt start school till next September and DS is only 10months. If they were at school there would be zero problems.

However. by thier changes Royal Mail have actually made DH the primary carer, by which term he actually has more chance of them being flexible.

OP posts:
dooley1 · 15/10/2007 17:13

it sounds like you're in a no win situation
could you employ a childminder/

Original poster
LowFat · 15/10/2007 17:43

To be honest if we went downn that route I might as well quite work as the finances dont bakance.

Also when we did look into childcare in our area there was very little response from carers who could meet our requirements in terms of the hours. We only wanted it for such a small period that having our DD (DS was just a thought at the time ) meant it prevented them from having another child for longer - i.e. more profitable to them.

If we can just cobble our situation to work for a few more years we'll be laughing. But everyone always says the early years are the hardest. I just wish Royal Mail could be the least bit understanding!

OP posts:
southeastastra · 15/10/2007 17:57

it's mad. i had to work every afternoon when dp was on deliveries. i don't know what they are trying to achieve mucking about with start times. there must be thousands affected.

inthegutter · 16/10/2007 12:45

Sounds like the time has come to sort out some childcare to take the pressure off you and dh having to juggle everything between you. I know the upside of juggling is you don't have to pay for child care, but it's meant you're both totally restricted - your schedule has been inflexible and now you're running into problems. Some paid childcare will free you both up and take the pressure off you, and provide some outside stimulation for the kids too - everyone's a winner! I'd really recommend learning to drive too. I know it's expensive - but worth getting the test out of the way tbh.

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