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Original poster

Giving up part time wfh to switch to term time only?

13 replies

Hamnan84 · 18/02/2024 16:17

Hey! I'm really after some advice please ?! I just want to sound off and get some opinions really. I currently wfh part time (9-2pm) mon-fri, which is fine but I HATE the job, its sales based and I have anxiety issues so the pressure feels alot at times. However, I have an interview Wednesday for a college receptionist job term time only 22.5hrs (so less than my current job) its also less pay(£2 an hour less). Obviously it comes with the benefit of being off every 6 weeks and all summer and the hours suit me and I will be back in the workplace instead of at home (and it's not sales!) But my kids are older now (almost 18, 16 this year and the other one starts seniors September) so I don't have child care issues and I'm a bit worried about being tied to holidays being only in school holidays? My current job has a lot of flexibility and if kids need dentist etc they just let me take them with no financial penalty, I can book holidays whenever I want (usually going 2 days before half term begins or something, saves us a lot of money). Do I give up my flexible home based job which I don't enjoy for a job I may like better but that has alot more restrictions? (Also the college job may require me to drive an hour away to work to provide cover at an ad hoc basis) is term time only really that great ?!

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 18/02/2024 16:20

Wanting to leave your current job is totally understandable if you don’t enjoy it, but this lower paid, less hour, longer commute term time only job sounds like a rubbish option to be honest. I’d keep looking

Leafpicker2000 · 18/02/2024 16:21

Term time is great if you can afford it.
I started on a similar contract in a school but have had the opportunity to increase hours since I've been there so might that be a possibility?

isitme111 · 18/02/2024 17:06

You say the new job is 22.5 per week - is it short days ? If so, that would give you flexibility for appts etc...during term time? School holiday holidays are expensive there's no way around that one.

Original poster
Hamnan84 · 18/02/2024 17:13

Leafpicker2000 · 18/02/2024 16:21

Term time is great if you can afford it.
I started on a similar contract in a school but have had the opportunity to increase hours since I've been there so might that be a possibility?

Unfortunately there's not an option to increase hours as there's a lady doing 8-2 and I would be doing 1-7pm so I don't think there will ever be the option as the full time hours are literally 8am-7pm?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Hamnan84 · 18/02/2024 17:17

isitme111 · 18/02/2024 17:06

You say the new job is 22.5 per week - is it short days ? If so, that would give you flexibility for appts etc...during term time? School holiday holidays are expensive there's no way around that one.

Yep it's 1-7pm twice a week then 1-5 twice a week and finish 4:30 on a Friday. So I could do those apps before school but my son is at orthodontist for braces at the minute going there every 6 wks and the appointments they give are literally handed to you and if you can't make it there's an issue (it's a nightmare tbh and my current job is very flexible with this). The holiday are a big deal as it means we would literally just not be able to afford holidays anymore. Also for example my son plays football and he has a match far away next Friday so I have the day off so we can take him and I guess with the new job that wouldn't be an option ever to have random days off which feels really restrictive?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hamnan84 · 18/02/2024 17:20

TeaKitten · 18/02/2024 16:20

Wanting to leave your current job is totally understandable if you don’t enjoy it, but this lower paid, less hour, longer commute term time only job sounds like a rubbish option to be honest. I’d keep looking

When you put it like that! 🤣 yes it's less money, the travel is ad hoc but literally can be requested of me at anytime and at short notice (sickness cover etc). I think I'm swaying towards just looking elsewhere now 👍

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 18/02/2024 17:22

Term time when you're not tied to holidays in school holidays any more is a bind. I'd keep looking.

puddingthehump · 18/02/2024 17:25

Have you got 3 children? The youngest starting secondary in September? If yes then grab the term time only job as you will be tied to school holidays for the next 7 years assuming they go onto sixth form.

You can reassess in 5 or 7 years time.

Ormally · 18/02/2024 17:32

Term time only can save a lot of money on childcare options if you would otherwise be in a position to find cover for all holidays except for when you are all away. This sounds more like you need the flexibility of days and hours that are outside the standard holiday periods, which could also save money at times.

1-7 with about an hour's commute either end on some days, when required to staff the other location, as well - is that something that can work?

Original poster
Hamnan84 · 18/02/2024 17:37

SwedishEdith · 18/02/2024 17:22

Term time when you're not tied to holidays in school holidays any more is a bind. I'd keep looking.

This is what my husband is saying also. He said we are just getting to a point the older two teens may not be bothered about coming with us on holidays and if I take this job we will be tied to expensive busy holidays even when we potentially in future, don't have the kids with us!

OP posts:
KathieFerrars · 18/02/2024 17:41

I am tied to school hols (teacher). Tis a total bind now we don't have school age children. I would look elsewhere. Also, education is notoriously poor for giving time off for things like med apts, funerals, etc.

Original poster
Hamnan84 · 18/02/2024 18:28

Ormally · 18/02/2024 17:32

Term time only can save a lot of money on childcare options if you would otherwise be in a position to find cover for all holidays except for when you are all away. This sounds more like you need the flexibility of days and hours that are outside the standard holiday periods, which could also save money at times.

1-7 with about an hour's commute either end on some days, when required to staff the other location, as well - is that something that can work?

Yep that's the issue, I don't have childcare issues anymore as the kids are older. I hadn't thought of the extra hours drive each way actually , not sure why lol! But yes that's not good and I can't see that working for our family life

OP posts:
Original poster
Hamnan84 · 18/02/2024 18:30

puddingthehump · 18/02/2024 17:25

Have you got 3 children? The youngest starting secondary in September? If yes then grab the term time only job as you will be tied to school holidays for the next 7 years assuming they go onto sixth form.

You can reassess in 5 or 7 years time.

We always take the kids out of school for a day or two before half term/summer to take advantage of the cheaper prices so we wouldn't be able to do that going forward which in turn makes holidays unaffordable for us and that will just not work. We don't do much throughout the year so our holiday is precious

OP posts:
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