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Original poster

Why do you go to work?

57 replies

KatyMac · 22/04/2008 11:32

Money is normally the answer

But if you don't make any money would you still work?

If your working costs were covered (lunch/travel/clothes/childcare) but you earnt nothing more would it be worth it

OP posts:
Hulan · 22/04/2008 11:34

Probably, but only half day

expatinscotland · 22/04/2008 11:36

DH and I love to work to bail out banks and foolish borrowers, to bolster the profits of utility company shareholders and most of all, to line the Government's coffers.

It gives us such a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

NomDePlume · 22/04/2008 11:38

Money - not really for family coffers but more for personal spending money

Adult conversation

Something for my brian to chew on

PuppyMonkey · 22/04/2008 11:38

I love my job. It keeps me sane. So I would probably go in for free.. Don't tell them that though will you?

ChocolateRockingHorse · 22/04/2008 11:39

I don't.

I am benefit scum.

So judge me

EffiePerine · 22/04/2008 11:41

Because I enjoy it and I am good at it.

Because I want to carry on in the field I love and don't want to take too much time out.

Becasue I would go stark raving mad at home all day with DS.

Because I am using my 5 years of degree/Masters and (hopefully) benefitting others.

Wolfgirl · 22/04/2008 11:42

Money
long term career
pension
sanity
balance of life

PrimulaVeris · 22/04/2008 11:43

Yes

and yes.

Mental stimulation, social

In unlikely event of winning the lottery, I would still work - difference is that it would be in a voluntary capacity for charity or similar.

marina · 22/04/2008 11:44

Money
Commitment to type of work (learning support/education)

If I did not have to work to pay bills etc I'd certainly cut my hours radically and maybe retrain within the field so as to be able to work largely from home, term-time only

Novicecamper · 22/04/2008 11:44

I work for myself from home so I don't 'go out' to work.

Reasons

Keep the grey matter ticking over/it's interesting
Self esteem/ego - I get lots of good feedback and that's rewarding
Money - mine is pretty much spending money so it means I can shop happily, have nice holidays etc

Anna8888 · 22/04/2008 11:45

In order to keep my skills up, in case I ever needed to support myself and my child.

callmeovercautious · 22/04/2008 11:49

I went back PT after DD for 3 reasons:
Money - (so I can give up work if we have another DC until they are at school).
Career - There will come a time (in many years I know!) when DD will be grown up, I really like working for my Company and have good long term prospects. If and when I am in a position to work FT again I hope they will want me
Self fulfillment - I am not a woman who is completely satisfied by raising my Child all day every day, I do want a bit of both and I think the way I am doing it works for us as a family.

doggiesayswoof · 22/04/2008 11:49

Salary - to be capable of financial independence if I ever needed it

Commitment to my field/belief that it is worthwhile

Self-image

Challenge

Adult company/social side

Pension

I would probably work fewer hours if I could afford it.

callmeovercautious · 22/04/2008 11:51

Opps missed the last part of the question. No I would not do my job if it did not pay. If I did not need money I would probably do voluntary work. I helped run a Baby and Toddler group whilst on Mat leave - I can't sit still!

MissChief · 22/04/2008 11:52

nomdeplume! I had a brian once too, but lost him a while ago. No-one else notice?!

My brain gets a bit more of a work out in the office but to be honest i feel I've lost loads of brain cells since giving birth for the 2nd time and not sure I'm up to it any more. I work because the y pay me well, but I can't stick it much longer and think will give up til both at school, not worth the hassle.

NomDePlume · 22/04/2008 11:53

If we had no money issues at all, woul dI work ?

Probably not.

I'd live in the country with horses, a donkey and chickens (and obv DH and the kids!), that lot would keep me busy enough.

NomDePlume · 22/04/2008 11:53

Misschief - 'Brian' is a bit of a mumsnet-ism

blueshoes · 22/04/2008 12:04

The money £££ - it is too good to throw away for the limited hours I work and leverages my years of specialist expertise and opportunities.

For financial independence and freedom. I don't have to stick in any unhappy relationship because I thought I would be depriving my children of their lifestyle.

Because I like the mental exercise, discipline and the balance it gives my life. I would not want to have a full on role at home, neither do I want to have a full on career. But an easy split of both is very nice indeed.

To build up a personal pension and a solid bank of assets for a comfortable retirement and to pass on to children.

As insurance should dh not be around/able to support the family for whatever reason.

Some of my colleagues are truly bright. I have a rare opportunity to work with people at the top of their game. It gives me a buzz and reminds me why I spent all those years studying, practising and building up my knowledge base.

Pendulum · 22/04/2008 12:18

blueshoes, I could have written that

sometimes I think about quitting for a few years until both DDs are at school but I would never again find such an interesting job with great colleagues that pays me well to work PT.

I realise I am very lucky.

StarlightMcKenzie · 22/04/2008 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Pendulum · 22/04/2008 12:27

that too Starlight- v important

I sometimes feel it is taboo to admit that you do not want to spend every waking minute in the company of your child

maidamess · 22/04/2008 12:29

The money where I work is rubbish...but it still makes a difference to me and means I don't hold out the begging bowl to dh.
I wrok in a school so it is good experience for when/if I ever decide to go down the teacher route.
Plus I would be bored, and bankrupt at home!

MissChief · 22/04/2008 12:40

whoops, not in the know with my mnisms then, thoughtit was a typo, I'm easily pleased these days, you see!

re the subject of the thread, I think i'm finally at burnout stage. 19 yrs, 3 degrees, 1 career change and 2 children later, I''vwe had enough and lost all my ambition. Not sure if I'll ever get it back to the same degree.

scattyspice · 22/04/2008 12:45

I hated working when DCs were little, but we needed the money. Now they are school / nursery age I'm glad I work as I can fit work in around school and do enjoy my job.

DH would find being the sole earner a huge stress as he is regularly threatened with redundancy. Also if i didn't work he would have to do more hours and see less of the kids .

Working PT works for us.

Pavlovthecat · 22/04/2008 12:48

Work = money
Work = time to develop myself professionally
Work = time to be around other people who are not all talking about children
Work = being successful
Work = feeling worthwhile, needed, clever, important in was other than being a mum/wife

But if I had a choice about hours, I would probably want to work 2.5 days most, rather than the 4 I have to work now.

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