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Original poster

Would you take on a long commute for part time hours?

46 replies

FastingFaster · 11/03/2023 08:08

It's all a bit hypothetical because I haven't applied for the job yet, but I've seen the perfect role for me. I tick every box on the person spec and it's also quite a step up. The FTE is significantly more than my current role, but it's PT, 60%. I'd be doing 3 days PW and there'd be very little difference in my take home pay, although I'd be worse off because of the cost of the commute.

It's not a pleasant commute. About an hour on a good day, but involves 3 trains, so plenty of potential for delays etc. In fact I used to do the exact same commute pre DC and was glad to see the back of it. No way I could have done it with young DC.

DC are now adult so I don't have the same ties and work is less about money and more about fulfilment/work life balance for me these days. I'll still be very comfortable financially despite the reduced income and the reduced hours are very appealing, plus the job sounds interesting.

So whilst there's no way I'd consider this commute full time, I'm wondering if it might be OK to do 3 days pw as a pay off for PT hours. There's also a possibility that wfh might be on offer, but I doubt more than one of the three days. I wouldn't want to wfh all the time anyway.

WWYD?

OP posts:
MagpiePi · 11/03/2023 08:22

I can see how it is very attractive if the job is one that seems to have been made for you personally, but, I would be very reluctant to do an hour minimum commute that involves 3 trains and, essentially, a pay cut.
I think for me it would be that the 2 hours commute plus the stress of wondering if I’d actually get there or home on an unreliable train service would just knacker me out and I’d be wiped out for the non- working days.
So, on balance it would be a ‘no’ for me.

smellyflowers · 11/03/2023 08:23

The commute would be the limiting factor for me here.

smellyflowers · 11/03/2023 08:24

If one of those trains is a short trip I'd do it but not if it was 3 medium length ones where I wouldn't be able to relax as I'd be getting off soon

User1396390 · 11/03/2023 08:25

I wouldn't, the extra hours are just more stress to add to the working day and are not paid

Original poster
FastingFaster · 11/03/2023 08:26

MagpiePi · 11/03/2023 08:22

I can see how it is very attractive if the job is one that seems to have been made for you personally, but, I would be very reluctant to do an hour minimum commute that involves 3 trains and, essentially, a pay cut.
I think for me it would be that the 2 hours commute plus the stress of wondering if I’d actually get there or home on an unreliable train service would just knacker me out and I’d be wiped out for the non- working days.
So, on balance it would be a ‘no’ for me.

It's a massive payrise on FTE. It's only a small actual paycut because I'd be going from 5 day pw to 3 pm days pw.

OP posts:
missbunnyrabbit · 11/03/2023 08:26

That would be a definite no from me. Way too much stres to rely on trains.

nodogz · 11/03/2023 08:27

If it was a long but easy commute I'd say consider (as an example I commuted to London regularity but the 6.30am train left from my village and the 7.10pm dropped me off in my village and it was a 5 min bus journey to the office do fine two days a week)

But three changes sound too stressful. I don't think the transport sector can support such a commute right now.

Original poster
FastingFaster · 11/03/2023 08:29

Two trains are very short tube journeys, so I may have made it sound worse than it is. I think for commutes in London hopping on and off trains is quite normal?

OP posts:
Tinkeytonkoldfruit · 11/03/2023 08:29

Weighing in with counter position, I don't think a 1 hour commute is that much at all, pretty standard in my parts. By the sounds of it you're only doing that potentially 2 days a week if you WFH on one and then you get two days off a week and a more interesting role - I think it's a no brainer and would jump at it!

chocolatepenny89 · 11/03/2023 08:30

It would be a no brainer for me. I’d definitely take it if the job is the right fit and you’d only be taking a small pay cut to work three days instead of five.

The commute really doesn’t sound THAT bad and I’d be amazed if they don’t support WFH every now and again, most employers do now unless it’s logistically impossible.

category12 · 11/03/2023 08:31

You sound like you want to do it.

If it's a step up, maybe plan to do it for a year or two for the experience and then look to find something of a similar level closer to home.

Sounds a lot of faff to get there, but if it's a good stepping stone for you, might be worth it.

Nix32 · 11/03/2023 08:32

So you'd be going from full time to 3 days for only a small pay cut? Go for it!

pippinsleftleg · 11/03/2023 08:32

A one hour commute is perfectly normal if going into London. I’d do that for part time work especially as you’ll be on the same wage as your current full time hours.

2023istheyearigetmyacttogether · 11/03/2023 08:32

A definite yes from me! It sounds as though your three days might be a bit longer but just think of all of the fantastic things you could do with two extra days a week whether that's lounging around at home, exercising, seeing friends or volunteering. Amazing!
You've done the commute before and whilst you said you were happy to see the back of it, was that 5 days a week. 3 is different - plus the gains mentioned above.
Also, do all 3 days have to be in the office or is there a hybrid option? Do you get a choice about the three days? Will they be consecutive or spaced out? If consecutive, if your kids are older, how much is a premier inn or something where you'd be working? Could you do that on occasion?
My preferred working pattern when doing three days is Mon & Thurs off. That way, you can have a long weekend, really hit the ground running on a Tues when everyone else has got over the Monday blues, have a consecutive day in the office for those times (at least in my role) where things often continue onto a second day, have a mid-week break on a Thurs and then back for Friday when everyone is a bit more chilled as it's the weekend.

nodogz · 11/03/2023 08:32

Oh just seen It's an hour but three trains. Is there anyway to simplify this? Drive somewhere else then one train in?

It's the amount of changes that Will be horrible. I'd really look at the cancellations dnd delays in the route. Lots of train services are really messed up and unusable

mynameiscalypso · 11/03/2023 08:34

I don't really think two tubes are the same as two trains - they're much more frequent and reliable than a lot of the train services and there are usually alternative routes. I think train + two tubes isn't an unusual commute in London.

ScandiNoirNuit · 11/03/2023 08:34

chocolatepenny89 · 11/03/2023 08:30

It would be a no brainer for me. I’d definitely take it if the job is the right fit and you’d only be taking a small pay cut to work three days instead of five.

The commute really doesn’t sound THAT bad and I’d be amazed if they don’t support WFH every now and again, most employers do now unless it’s logistically impossible.

Agree with this! Plus 2 days off vs current!

2023istheyearigetmyacttogether · 11/03/2023 08:35

I did wonder if there were tubes involved to have three train journeys in an hour. That's completely standard for most people working in London. If you've got no time pressures for your return journey home l, you could probably cut one of the tubes out and walk. You might find it doesn't take much longer. I had a massive revelation 20 years ago that it only took me 7 mins longer to walk from Waterloo to the City than it did to queue for the W&C line. It transformed my commute and was definitely worth getting out of bed a few minutes earlier.

Annabananna1 · 11/03/2023 08:40

A train and a couple of tubes seems fine to me ... and very normal if you're working in London. If it's an hour journey that's pretty good really. I'd happily take it.

NewFL · 11/03/2023 08:42

I'd go for it and try to negotiate 1 day WFH.
You can put up with anything if it's only for 2 days a week if the job is a perfect fit otherwise

Riverlee · 11/03/2023 08:43

Is the hour door to door, or just the trains? Personally, I think that’s too many changes, if you have to factor in driving to the station and parking as well.

Original poster
FastingFaster · 11/03/2023 08:43

I'm thinking it's not that different to compressed hours and to do my 37 over 3 days I'd have to do more than 12 hour days, so there's a fair bit of leeway.

But I'm also wondering if it might wear thin quickly.

OP posts:
Riverlee · 11/03/2023 08:44

Sorry, just read two are tube journeys. That’s not so bad then.

Original poster
FastingFaster · 11/03/2023 08:44

Riverlee · 11/03/2023 08:43

Is the hour door to door, or just the trains? Personally, I think that’s too many changes, if you have to factor in driving to the station and parking as well.

Yes, hour is door to door. I currently have a 20 minute drive.

These sort of salaries don't come up locally. London jobs pay more for a reason.

OP posts:
Original poster
FastingFaster · 11/03/2023 08:46

I'd walk to the station (12 minutes) and I'm, possibly naively, thinking that 30 mins twice a day, a couple of times a week, sitting on a train with a book sounds quite appealing.

OP posts:
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